travel trailer weight distribution calculator

Never have anything heavy at the front, nor (especially) at the rear of the travel trailer. Recommended tow ball weights are only valid if the travel trailer is correctly loaded fore/aft of the axle/s. Doing so increases stability due to reducing yaw, or retains the existing stability at a lower tow ball weight. While better done at the design stage, you can reduce that weight by relocating and centralising heavy items (such as batteries) as close as possible over the axles. It virtually overnight advised that lower tow ball weight, but few vendors indicated how to do this safely. The travel trailer industry ‘rethought its position’. While tow ball weight is essential, vehicle makers continue to decrease that allowed. Use tow ball scales to check a range of loading configurations The tow ball weight traditionally suggested (in Australia) is about 10%. One with 4% tow ball weight may sway at about 50 km/h.

The lower that relative weight, the lower the speed at which swaying is likely to occur.Ī typical tow vehicle and travel trailer with 2% tow ball weight has almost no stability. The tendency for a travel trailer to sway is to the tow ball weight relative to the weight and length of the tow vehicle.

Tow ball weight affects safe towing speed It also causes the travel trailer to sway in a ‘snaking-like’ manner. This, in turn, degrades the tow vehicle’s cornering ability. This reduces the weight on the tow vehicle’s front tyres. The effect like pushing down the handles of a wheelbarrow. The travel trailer‘s (essential) tow ball weight pushes down on that hitch. The wheelbarrow effectĪ travel trailer towing vehicle’s tow hitch is typically 1.25 metres or more behind its rear axle. The longer and heavier it is, the higher the tow ball weight required. The required tow ball weight is related to the length and weight of a travel trailer. It shows to assess the travel trailer tow ball weight your rig must-have. This article shows why having adequate travel trailer tow ball weight really does matter. If swaying escalates, the travel trailer and tow vehicle may jack-knife. Unless a travel trailer is tow ball heavy, it is potentially unstable. For safe towing, a travel trailer must be tow ball heavy.

Travel trailer weight distribution calculator