Forward or Backward

[kebo]

Tractor is 2200 lbs give or take a few, and my tires are unloaded. The BH is about 580lbs. Not sure what the FEL weighs, but I will guess 650lbs at the most. Probably a bit less than that but I figure it's safer to overestimate rather than underestimate. The Diamond "C" Road Clipper trailer I have is rated only for 5000lbs, even though it has two 3500lb axles. The 5k weight rating is enough for my hauling needs and totes it around just fine.

Sounds like you may need to stiffen up your ramp with some bracing. This picture shows the "ladder" style bracing on my drive on gate, it's plenty sturdy. Without going outside to measure, I think it has 2"x2" ladder bars welded in place.

 

[Hematite]

proper weight distribution is key, while safety is paramount:thumbsup:

Exactly, this is the most important factor for me. Loading going forward gave me the exact weight distribution that I wanted.
Buy and use a Sherline tongue weight scale and be safe, not sorry.
Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scales

 

[deputy11]

Thanks kebo. I best follow the professional welder's advice and upgrade my trailer. He would have been happy to have the work of beefing up my current trailer if he thought it was the right thing to do but a different trailer is much less $$$$ than repairing a bent up (almost) new tractor. As to loading frontwards or backwards, my daughter brought up a good point. If facing front and a cab door was not latched tight, couldn't it fly open?

 

[RobertN]

My understanding was it was more a hemispherical application. In the norther hemisphere trators were loaded forward, in the southern hemisphere they are loaded backwards. Just like water twirls down the drain backwards. And, like in "Oz, people drive on the wrong side of the road.

Maybe one of our TBN members from Austrailia could clarify this?

 

[bdeboer]

I was taught to drive onto the trailer until you feel the weight transfer from the rear of the trailer to the front. Whether forward or backward is dependant on axle location and implement. Tow vehicle capacity should also be considered. I typically load my 18' rear facing as the axles are close to the dovetail.