How do you properly load your TT

[icanon]

I have a question and I haven't found it using the Search function.

If someone is trying to respect the weight ratio of a TT how do you know when a loaded TT is properly loaded? How do you go about it?

Thanks.

[APT]

TTs are not as easy to shift weight as an open deck car hauler where you can move the car a foot forward or backwards to adjust balance. You are somewhat restricted to where you can put heavy stuff. Very few travel trailers have that bad of sway issues due to not enough tongue weight. Sometimes people with heavy racks on the back have trouble, but most floorplans offer more storage in front of the axles.

[GaryWT]

Trial and error. We load where things fit and then we tow, if it goes ok then we did it right. Early on with our previous trailer we had 2 trips that we made mistakes in packing. One I was able to pull over and move a couple things forward and we were good, had packed quick and did not put things where I should have. The second one was packing up in a bad rain storm, so much was wet that we put a lot in the back of the truck which left the front of the trailer too light, the sway was bad and I had to keep it under 55 for 3 hours.

We never travel with anything in any tanks, we only camp at full hook up sites. Some tow with some fresh water in case they need to stop and use the bathroom and then other tow with a full fresh water tank if they are going without hook ups.

If you do not plan on going to the scales just look at where the storage is and plan it out. As others said, keep it at or forward of the axles. I have never heard of a 60/40 split.

[Need-A-Vacation]

I was still adjusting the hitch for our new to us trailer, ended up stepping up to a 2500HD, started the hitch process over, and with a scaled 12.6% tw, we were still having a little sway at times in cross winds. Adjusted more to the front pass through area from the large rear storage area, and it tows a lot better. Have not hit the scales since so not sure what the exact tw % is at this point. Up front we have a heavier 10x10 ez up (about 50lbs), 4 camp chairs, Coleman Road Trip grill, Camp Chef Explorer 2 burner stove, 2 patio mats, 2 milk crates with wood for tongue jack, leveling trailer and stabilizer jack pads, and I am sure I am missing something! Lol

Had a couple tarps in the rear storage that are now under the front bed, and one of those fold up wagons for when we go down to the beach to haul whatever the boys and better half would like to take.

[icanon]

Thanks all who answered, it was interesting to see how people deal with it.

[mosseater]

In my case, it's pretty easy to load. My water and waste tanks are over or near the axles, and I have a cavernous load door in the back. I put almost every thing of consequence back there to help manage my tongue weight. When loaded to my normal 8000 lbs +/-, my tongue usually comes in at around 13% which is just at or under my trucks tongue capacity. Maxxed out, but does ok. Lacking HP mostly. Braking and handling are very good.

I put almost all of the heavy stuff back there. Firewood, bikes, drinks, chairs, water jugs, tools.

[rbpru]

The design of our TT lends it self to proper balance. The pantry, tanks, frig and kitchen are located near the axles.

The cargo hatch is up front.

Never has a issue with sway.

[icanon]

krobbe wrote:
I use a Sureline scale to measure tongue weight. I know I'm at 7200# loaded up for a week or 2. With a scale, I can easily adjust the load to keep tongue weight under 15%. I can be a little tongue heavy since I've upgraded the 20# LP to 30's and added a 2nd battery.

Funny you mentioned a Sureline scale got one last week.

[BubbaChris]

The most common advice you'll find is to aim for a tongue weight of 10% to 15% of total TT weith.

Based on a real quick search for your upcoming TT, I'm guessing your loaded weight will be between 5,000lbs and 6,000lbs. So you're aiming for at least 600lbs of tongue weight, up to 900lbs.

Of course actually weighing your rig (configured for camping) with multiple passes will be the best way to get better guidance.

As krobbe mentioned, a Sherline Tongue Scale would be the most accurate way. But there are articles out there on how to do the same with a bathroom scale.

[krobbe]

I use a Sureline scale to measure tongue weight. I know I'm at 7200# loaded up for a week or 2. With a scale, I can easily adjust the load to keep tongue weight under 15%. I can be a little tongue heavy since I've upgraded the 20# LP to 30's and added a 2nd battery.

[icanon]

Aluminum Siding wrote:
my weight rating is 1500. That was before propane and batteries.

Do you know how much additional TW and TT weight was added when the propane and batteries was placed?

Aluminum Siding wrote:
I try to keep it even. I have a huge pass through in the front and two big storage compartments on both side of the rear. Keep in mind that 1500 didn't include water either at about 9 lbs per gallon.

If you're going to a Campground do folks fill their Fresh water tank? If so, why the campgrounds provide it?

Aluminum Siding wrote:
I've heard that if you load the rear heavy you'll get sway.

Exactly why I posted this question. 🙂

[icanon]

mabynack wrote:
As a rule of thumb, I try to put heavy things like canned goods low and lighter things like chips up high to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.

Good point and advise!

[icanon]

APT wrote:
What do you mean by weight ratio? Trailer tongue weight %?

I have read a lot about weight ratio keeping the TT from swaying is around 60front/40rear%. I'm wondering if folks try to respect that or just simply stuff anywhere that fits? Or do folks place stuff in TT to respect the TV limits or both?

[coolbreeze01]

I load what I want/need with heavy stuff to the front with a 1,000lb toy and 40 gals of gasoline in the rear and 100 gals of water roughly in the middle.

[Aluminum_Siding]

my weight rating is 1500. That was before propane and batteries. I try to keep it even. I have a huge pass through in the front and two big storage compartments on both side of the rear. Keep in mind that 1500 didn't include water either at about 9 lbs per gallon. I've heard that if you load the rear heavy you'll get sway.