What and Why – Everything you need to know about trailer tongue weight

 

"The right tongue weight is the key to safe towing."

Does this phrase sound funny and confusing at the same time? Well, that's because it's a funny term that relates to something it does not say like at all: trailer towing mechanics.

When it comes to heavy-duty towing the colony, you need to consider weight specifications and limitations to achieve safe and efficient results. Tongue weight is one such important specification every driver needs to be aware of.

What is tongue weight?

The trailer's tongue weight indicates the amount of downward force the tongue of your trailer puts on the hitch of the tow vehicle. Abnormal levels of a trailer tongue weight can lead to wobbly driving, lacking control over your trailer, and ultimately damage both the trailer and your vehicle. Moreover, too much force on the hitch can damage your vehicle's rear tires.

Therefore, it is crucial to regularly check and adjust dangerously high tongue weight levels to ensure safe towing the colony.

What is the proper tongue weight value?

The optimum value of tongue weight should within 10-15% of your gross trailer weight (GTW). A tongue weight less than 10% of your trailer weight means most of your load is on the end of the trailer, while a tongue weight exceeding 15% means too much pressure on the hitch, leading to a dangerous situation called a "jack knife."

Essential tips about proper tongue weight

The process of towing the colony is supposed to be convenient and helpful. However, not maintaining the appropriate tongue weight for your trailer could instead damage both vehicles. Here are a few points to consider.

·         Being dynamic, your tongue weight will not remain the same throughout. So, you will have to check the weight before hitting the roads.

·         To ensure safety, make sure to use a hitch that can handle more than just the tongue weight of our trailer.

·         It is preferred to measure trailer tongue weight using a tongue weight scale rather than a bathroom scale to achieve accurate results.

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