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tongue exerts an upward pull on the hitch, instead of pushing down on it (because
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lose traction or grip and cause loss of control. Also, even if there is some weight on
the tongue, but not enough weight on the tongue, the trailer can suddenly become
unstable at high speeds.
If, on the other hand, there is too much tongue weight, the front wheels of the tow
vehicle can be too lightly loaded and cause loss of steering control and traction, as
well, if the front wheels are driving.
In addition to tow vehicle control, tongue weight is necessary to insure that the trailer
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In the table below, the second column notes the rule of thumb percentage of total
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appear on the tongue of the trailer. For example, a trailer with a ball hitch and a
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That is, the example trailer would have no more than 100 to 150 pounds on its tongue.
WARNING
Never go under the trailer unless it has been properly supported
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ing properly supported, the trailer may fall suddenly which may
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Tongue Weight as a Percentage of Loaded Trailer Weight
Type of Hitch Percentage
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WARNING
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control of the trailer, leading to death or serious injury.
Make certain that tongue weight is within the allowable range.
Be sure to:
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• Distribute the load evenly, right and left, to avoid tire over
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• Keep the center of gravity low.