Trailer Tongue Weight

snowdance

snowdance

Member
What is the best way to determine proper trailer tongue weight/height? I have a hunch my trailer has to much tongue weight on the vehicle, putting excessive weight on the back of my vehicle, lifting the front end. Will raising the hitch up be good enough? But, if I go to far that may raise the back end? Correct? Any info is appreciated.
 
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zimmbob

Member
I had to do that. My 4 place sits a little high, and when I first was using my drop hitch, the trailer would put most of the weight on the front axel and two tires. Back ones were hardly even on the ground. I just flipped over the drop hitch and now it's almos perfectly level, empty or fully loaded. Of course when a sled or two are on the front alone, it drops some, but that fixed the problem. I am running a Chevy 1/2 ton.

Oh, and a buddy has a 3/4 ton Chev and he runs a straight hitch and that seems to be fine as well.
 
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Team Elkhorn

Guest
Tongue weight

I used to tow a three place with a mini van. Tongue weight is important. The trailer should ride level or alittle lower in the front. I would jack the trailer to the correct height and use my wifes bath room scale. I think tongue weight should be 15 to 20 of total trailer weight. I would move the sleds back and forth on trailer till i got it right.
 
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Team Elkhorn

Guest
Tongue weight

I should also add that you dont want too much weight in the back of trailer because the trailer will sway back and forth. Hope that helps.
 
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edmarino

New member
You want the trailer bar to be level or slightly lower in front with about 50 lbs on hitch mim.
you can get hitches that have different offsets to get the right set up for your vehicle.
 
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Team Elkhorn

Guest
Tongue weight

Try sliding the sleds little by little to the back of trailer till you have 75-100 lbs on hitch. Again make sure trailer is close to level. See if that helps.
 
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onesnowman

New member
Towing

Before you set the tongue weight,level the trailer with a small slant to the tongue end, a jack stand works well. back in the tow vehicle and measure the drop or height needed to the receiver. you will be able to move the sleds adjust for more or less tongue weight. If you tow different trailer you'll need more then one hitch.
 
snowdance

snowdance

Member
I have the sleds moved back as far as possible with the tie downs. So if I need to adjust I assume I would do this by raising the hitch. I'm guessing that my trailer is leaning too much towards the front.
 
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dooeragain

New member
I have always set my trailers up with 75# tonque weight no matter what the hitch height dbl axile should always be level then loaded to 75# tonque weight. It's a good ride and good stable tow.
 
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Team Elkhorn

Guest
I guess all you CAN do is raise the hitch. It will transfer some weight to the back, but not much. Ether way it cant hurt, might look better. Let us know if it works. thanks
 
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jay

New member
If you change the hitch height it will not change the weight. You have to move the sleds back to take the weight off. But that puts more on the axel and tires of the trailer. You should be abel to have the sleds up in the front of the trailer to spread the weight out. I am thinking your shocks could be shot or you might need stiffer ones. When you put the trailer on the ball does it drop alot If it does go with the shocks.
 
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