Utility Trailer Weight Distribution Tips
Utility trailers have made it easy to transport goods over long distances. One of the most important safety tips to follow is to properly distribute the weight of whatever you’re hauling. We want to help you get the most out of your tools, so we’ve put together a brief guide below on how to distribute cargo in your trailer. To learn more, or to see the trailers we have for sale, contact our dealership today!
Know the Weight Limits
All vehicles and trailers have certain restrictions when it comes to the weight they can carry. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR, is the maximum amount a vehicle or trailer can handle, and it includes the weight of the vehicle or trailer itself, anything the trailer is towing, passengers, and cargo.
That means that your tow vehicle’s GVWR has to be higher than its weight, the weight of the driver and passengers, the weight of any fuel or cargo, and the weight of the utility trailer and its cargo. Never overload a trailer, since it’s both illegal and incredibly unsafe. If you don’t know the weight of a utility trailer on its own, bring it to a truck stop or another location with a certified scale.
Distribution Strategies
The main strategy for loading a utility trailer with cargo is called the 60/40 rule. You want about 60% of the cargo’s total weight placed in the front of the rig, which is the end closer to your tow vehicle. The other 40% of the weight should be from the middle back. If your unit has a single axle, that means you want 60% of the weight in front of the axle with 40% behind. You also want the weight to be distributed as evenly as possible from side to side, and always make sure to secure it so there’s no shifting while in transit.
Open vs. Enclosed
Enclosed trailers have an added benefit in terms of stacking, as you don’t need to worry about cargo going overboard. You still need to secure them tightly, since shifting weight can cause towing problems. Open trailers are a bit riskier, so remember that you should never load small, light items above the height of the trailer’s sides. Also, use a few more tie-downs than you might think you need to keep everything secure.
We hope this guide has been useful. For more information, or to see the utility trailers we have available, contact us at True Value Trailers & Power Equipment in Penrose and Florence, CO. We proudly serve all those in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.