Tongue weight in Europe is around 7%
I know I am going to get some super experienced folks in the U.S. criticizing tongue/hitch weights being less than 10%, but let's discuss this. It seems the approach in the U.K. and Europe is to atte...
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Marinermark wrote:
To add to the confusion, the Coast Guard recommends 5-7% tongue weight for trailered boats. When I started RVing, after boating and teaching the CG Auxiliary Trailering class for many years, I wondered about the difference vs. our RV %. I guessed it had something to do with the different shape-dynamics or inherent weight distribution. I never really turned up an explanation, so it's interesting to see that Europe has a similar number for RVs.
Boats tow better because the wheels are placed more to the rear of the trailer. TT have the wheels more towards the middle in most cases.
To see the effects of tongue weight easily, take a fully or partially loaded (makes no difference) wheeled garbage can. Try pulling it with the handle just barely or slightly more off of vertical. You will not get far before it starts to wobble out of control. Then lower your hand so the handle is lower to the ground. The lower you get, the less tendency for the can to wobble. I don't know the physics behind it but this shows what the lack of tongue weight will do.
Barney
