Trailer?

[Anonymous Poster]

How do I figure out how much weight is on the tongue of a load that I am carrying?

 

[Ozarker]

The tongue weight will vary depending on where the load is in relation to the trailer axles. Essentially, the manufactures recommended tongue weight should not cause a significant compression of your rear springs over normal compression.

When loaded, the vehicle and trailer should remain level if the load is correctly distributed over the axles. Distribution should be approximately 60/40 with 60% of the load forward of the axle. Again, you'll have to eyeball it.

But if you are new to towing and really want to get it right, you can load it up to what you think is right and then go weigh it. Scales are available at gravel pits, grain elevators and service stations that cater to over-the-road trucks and they will weight it for a small fee. Just put the front of the trailer on the scale, lower the landing leg and disconnect the tow vehicle. This will weight the tongue weight and you can get a good idea where your tractor should sit on the trailer for future reference.

 

[MossRoad]

Rob, I've been away for a while and will send you a private e-mail on Sunday or Monday. Thanks.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Putty, if your owner's manual doesn't list it or if you don't have an owner's manual, you should be able to contact your local Jeep dealer for the information you need. As to determining tongue weight the only thing I can suggest is the obvious-weigh it! The question then becomes, "How?"/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

I've actually called ahead then taken my loaded trailer down to the DOT scales, dropped the jack down and pulled off the scale. That gave me my tongue weight./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

You can probably accomplish the same thing with a local scrap yard./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That is what I was thinking gary, but I didnt know if I could take that much of their time. I have a Jeep Cherokee with one of those smaller hitches and I have never towed anything before, I dont have the manual but I will call the dealer- I just hate to take sombodys time if I am not buying something. Thanks

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Putty, around here the weigh stations are manned by State Police and, in my experience, they're usually happy to help Joe Citizen with something like this when it's slow. Also, at the scrap yard or even at a CAT weigh station, you could offer to pay them something. Lastly, if by "little hitch" you mean a bolt-on-to-the-bumper-hitch, I might suggest looking into a weight distributing recievers style hitch (commonly known as a "Reese hitch" because of the well-known manufacturer of many of them.

 

[Von]

Mossroad, Here is a photo of my trailer with the sides I made for it. I just lay down a plastic tarp if I'm hauling dirt or sand, works great. When I was hauling mulch I just load it right in, the floor boards are so close together that I don't loose any. Trailer will hold about 6yds. of mulch with the sides on it. They are made of 1/2 inch pressure treated plywood and 2X4's. Very easy to put on and take off. its just another thing to think about!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[OkieG]

tdenny,
I also have a JD 855. When I bought it 4 years ago, I also bought a 16' trailer with tandem 3500# axles and an electric brake on one axle. The trailer co. installed the brake controller as part of the purchase. The brake settings need to be adjusted depending on the trailer load weight, but all works well.
Be sure and get reasonable duty tiedown chains, hooks and tightening devices to secure your tractor. There are good and not-so-good ways of hooking the chain ends to your trailer. Be sure and have someone experienced guide you through the first time.
Although both front and rear tiedown chains are important, the rear one is the one that secures the tractor during a panic stop.
One tip...don't set the tractor parking brake until AFTER both front and back chains are placed. This allows the tractor to shift a little as the last chain is tightened, so both are pretty snug...THEN set the parking brake.
Good luck and happy trailering.

OkieG

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

When I trailer a vehicle I've driven on, I put it in park, chock a wheel and then secure one end (usually the front) with grade 70 chain. Then I hook onto the rear axle, unchock my wheel, put it in neutral and ratchet down the 10,000 lb. straps on the rear axle. Lastly I rechock a wheel, put it in park or a gear and put on the park brake.

When I use a winch with a lock feature, I'll secure the rear with grade 70 chain, pull the vehicle forward with the winch until it's tight then lock the winch. I'll then add grade 70 safety chains on the front, chock a wheel and put the vehicle in park or a gear and engage the park brake.

 

[Soundguy]

Funny that you say this. This weekend I was driving in town, and passed a chevy astro pulling a humongus pontoon boat.... had a large canvas coverd 2nd deck, with cover still deployed, ( wind was wreaking havoc on it and the boat ) boat was huge.. I mean gargantuan... dual axle trailer, 2" hitch etc ( at the stoplight I craned my neck over and checked it out.) The guy had a measly class II hitch!!

As he drove, you could see the hitch flex up and down... best of all, the trailer was on -you guessed it- just a flat 4 wire hookup for lights.. no brakes.

Later on down the road, I was in front of him coming up to a stop light. I sensed danger, and hopped into the other lane at the last minute as he careened through the intersection unable to stop...

I hope d.o.t. got this guy before he killed somebody or himself.

Soundguy

<font color=blue>"I wish they made a minivan that could tow 5000 lbs., now that I would buy! And don't say the Chevy Astro van, "