Heavy load in trailer or vehicle?

[Treeview]

Since the focus here is trailers I'm sure that the answer to my question will have been thrashed out before.

Next week I'm moving from NC to MN. Don't question my sanity! If I could find decent work I'd stay here, this is a great place to live. I'm from Minneapolis so I know what I'm going back into

OK...I'm making my initial move using my ToyBox hauling a 6x10x4' tall trailer.

It seems like the best loading strategy would be to put more weight in the ToyBox and the high volume/lower weight goods in the trailer.

Is there a reason to load the other way around? Heavy trailer/light truck?

Tom

[MtnDon]

I'd go with more wt. in the TV as long as it was within the weight limits

[Corwin C]

In my experience it's all about balance ... if the TV is at 90% of capacity, the trailer should be at 90%. Most of the time the TV will be heavier than the trailer, although, in some cases (multiple axle trailer w/ brakes) the trailer could be heavier than the TV. Make sure that it stays within the maximum GVWR for your vehicle combination.

[AZ9]

My truck load limited is 1450lbs, but can pull 7800lbs trailer--thus, I would put heavy load in the trailer--to save gas.

[Treeview]

I'm not considering overloading. I have more volume than load capacity.

It seems that shifting weight to the truck would make acceleration and braking more efficient. I wonder how the physics work out on this?

Tom

[Irmo Atomics]

We pack as much weight in the tow vehicle as practical with the weight in front of the rear axle. I feel like the heavier the tow vehicle is compared to the trailer, the more the tow vehicle can be in control of the trailer, instead of the other way around.

[jeff0520]

The thing that is most critical is that 60% of the weight in the trailer should be forward of the axle. That will avoid problems with trailer sway. Second, the gross weight of the TV (vehicle empty weight + cargo carried in the TV + tongue weight of the trailer that is resting on the TV) should be greater than the weight on the trailer axle. That is another stability issue. It's quite disconcerting to have a trailer heavier than the TV pushing you around if you can avoid it.
I hope that is helpful

[Dale M.]

Is your "ToyBox" the truck in your avatar?

Dale

[Treeview]

Yes Dale.

there are a few pics in my signature link.

Tom

[grant whipp]

Very important question, here: does your trailer have brakes? If so, then the generally accepted "rule" if you will, is that you can always pull more than you can haul ... my F-250 can pull more than 10K# but can only haul about 2K# or so. BUT, brakes on the trailer are critical!

How ever you end up, be careful and good luck! As always ...

CHEERS!

[PKCSPT]

I know very little about loading but let me welcome you back home to Minnesota.

[Treeview]

Hi PKCSPT

Thanks! I'll be glad to be settled in somewhere!

The trailer has hydraulic surge brakes but they're not plumbed. In the spring that'll happen.

I've been loading trucks and trailers for 40 years. Working most of my life as an arborist means that I've had to move lots of heavy loads on various trucks and trailers. I learned the importance of loading tongue heavy when a load of logs on a pickup box trailer got whippy going into a freeway tunnel [near the old Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis]. That was 39.75 years ago

My plan is to load more based on volume and the need to protect from the weather. Like I said, I have enough cubic volume to overload both the truck and trailer. One of my kayaks and/or canoe may make this initial move if I have capacity.

Thanks for the input, a lot of it had already been considered,

Tom