Bigger hitch capacity or weight distributing hitch?

[dstig1]

I am rather constrained on how I can load. This is the classic problem of the trailer not being long enough to allow enough adjustment to position the load best. The tractor "fits" but not perfectly. Here is a bigger pic, but this does not show the winch on the 3pt, which adds another 350 lbs back there. Rear tires are loaded and weigh ~500 lbs ea, if you follow the charts. I think the small avatar pic is a bit misleading, but I do not have an actual measurement of tongue weight. The front tractor axle is forward of the rearmost trailer axle. I think the loading distribution on the trailer would be worse if I turned this around. I could back it up farther (towards the tongue) than it is - I just thought this was about the right place for it based on feel of the trailer tongue loading (as it appeared visually to me).

I didn't mention it in the last post, but yes I think I still have some adjustments to do on the hitch setup. I followed the instructions, but I know I need to lower the hitch on the drawbar one notch for sure. It was close enough to get moving, but wasn't as leveled out as it should have been according to the directions. If it improves the pogo, I'll report back. Won't be until at least the weekend. Unless a miracle occurs, I'll stick with my assessment that a beefier receiver would have been the simpler solution. Within rated specs either way, which is good.

-Dave

 

[Skyco]

"Normal" trailer design is center of axle or axles if tandem is 60% back from the front of the trailer, not counting the tongue. Unless a trailer is special built for some purpose that demands otherwise this is what is usually seen. Hard to tell for sure from your pic but the 60/40 rule doesn't look like it was followed on your trailer..

 

[Highbeam]

Thanks for that bigger photo. I agree that you should be backed on as you are. I actually thought that the trailer tongue was on the left side of the photo. With loaded rear tires, and both tractor axles ahead of the rear trailer axle, I am going to guess that you are actually very tongue heavy and the location of the trailer axles on the trailer is odd but actually helping your situation. You will notice that your W/D bars are rated for a tongue weight. Mine are 1000 lb bars. You've got so much tongue weight that those W/D bars are probably not able to function as designed.

You may be exceeding the hitch rating even with a W/D system.

 

[dstig1]

The angle of the pic doesn't help. I don't have a straight-on side shot. The axles are further to the back than midpoint. It probably follows the 60/40 or ~5/8 back rule, but I haven't measured for sure. It is classified as a 10k car trailer by the mfg'er.

The WD hitch is rated for up to 12k lbs and that bars are 1200 lbs. It would probably be a good idea to do the tongue weight test just to see where I am at. Always helps to know where you stand.

PS: I really could use a 20' trailer, and I know it (or even 22'). The problem is in storing it plus the expense of a new trailer. It would be hard to fit it in my storage building. I got this one used, and it can be very hard to find something that is exactly what you want used, so you make compromises. That plus I was new to this and was advised that this one would be fine by the guy I bought the tractor from (not the trailer owner). I see a lot of lighter trailers, and a lot of GNs, but very few in this range. 18' would have been better but it is not worth trading up to 18' from here. If I was going to upgrade, it would be 20 or 22' to be worth it. But then in the long term I won't need the trailer much. Right now I am storing off-site so it gets towed around often, but that will change when house construction starts in a year or two. So I'll probably just keep dealing with it for now...