Too Much Tongue Weight? Here’s What Can Happen

Managing load weight is essential when towing a travel trailer on long-distant RV trips.

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Article Courtesy Weigh-Safe

Tires and brakes are an integral part of controlling your rig as they restrain the combined weight of your tow vehicle, trailer, and load. Both perform effortlessly in demanding conditions, inclement weather, and up and down steep grades for long periods. While both are designed to do exactly this, do you know what they can’t do? Especially when you tow with too much tongue weight?

Tongue weight is the downward force that is applied to the hitch of your tow vehicle. If your rig has more than 15 percent of the gross trailer weight (GTW) on the tongue of your trailer the following is likely to happen:

  • Too much of your load will be ahead of the trailer’s axle.
  • An unlevel set-up that resembles a “V” shape between the tow vehicle and trailer.
  • Overloaded tires
  • Conditions in which your braking system may be compromised.

Avoid Tire Overloading

Even if the weight of your total load is within your tires’ load rating but you carelessly store gear or heavy equipment that results in too much tongue weight on the rear of your tow vehicle, the back tires will be shouldering more weight than they are designed to handle. Too much tongue weight while driving can cause tire overload. Here are some of the signs to look for:

  • Tire Deformation or Tire Flex

When your tires are overloaded, the contact pad (where the tire touches the pavement) will become longer and wider, which means that with every rotation, the tread and sidewall will have to flex and unflex as they pass through the contact zone. ‘Tire flexing’ is a sure sign that they are overloaded, which compromises performance and causes heat that can lead to a tire blowout.

  • Your Tires are not Gripping the Road as they Should

Do you feel like you don’t have enough control or stability while towing? Overloaded tires can’t grip driving surfaces properly and can result in poor handling, vehicle instability and reduced fuel economy.

  • Tire Blowout

Overloading your tires is the main cause of tire blowouts and failure. The longer you drive with overloaded tires, the more heat builds up thus causing structural components of the tire(s) to break down.

Three Ways Tongue Weight Affects Braking Performance

Frequent hard braking with heavy loads at higher speeds will wear down your brakes, making them less effective. Excessive tongue weight can also put your braking system at immediate risk and result in:

  • Loss of Traction

Excessive tongue weight can cause enough force to push your back tires around. This is especially dangerous when turning corners and driving on wide bends since the braking system can’t adequately restrain the weight of your truck and trailer if your tires don’t have enough traction.

  • Less Stopping Power

Having too much stress on the hitch can also result in less stopping power due to the reduced weight on your tow vehicle’s front tires. When you hit the brakes and with too much tongue weight, your trailer will dive forward, causing the front of your truck to slightly lift.

Keep in mind that you’ll potentially lose most of the braking and steering control simultaneously with too much tongue weight and the load you’re towing will be unrestrained.

Reduce Strain on your Brakes and Tires

Towing with tongue weight will require more stopping power and can put too much strain on your braking system, which can cause higher braking temperatures. As a result, they can overheat so much that the brake fluid will begin to boil. In simple terms, if they get that hot, they will not function properly.

Tow with the Right Drop or Rise

Your tow vehicle and trailer must always be level with the ground for the safest towing experience. If the trailer rides lower or higher than your truck, a specific ball mount can be used to ensure a level setup. You’ll also need to make some calculations to determine how much of a drop or rise your ball mount requires to meet the height of your loaded trailer:

Drop Length Formula/Rise Length Calculations (for trailers lower/higher than your truck)

  1. Measure the distance from the bottom of your trailer’s coupler to the ground. Be sure your trailer is loaded and sitting level.
  2. Subtract this number from the height of your hitch receiver (the distance from the top of the inside of your truck’s hitch receiver to the ground).
  3. This is the required drop length of your ball mount.

Pro Tip: Be sure your trailer is exactly level with the ground by placing a level on the top of your trailer’s coupler. Use the crank on your trailer jack to adjust the height up or down until the level is plumb and then take your measurement.

Calculate Your Target Tongue Weight

Since the recommended amount of tongue weight is 10 percent to 15 percent of your loaded trailer’s weight, here’s how to determine the proper tongue weight:

  1. Determine your GTW. This is the weight of your trailer plus the weight of your gear and supplies. The GTW may also be referred to as Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
  2. Multiply the GTW by 0.1.
  3. This is the minimum of your target tongue weight.
  4. Multiply the GTW by 0.15.
  5. This is the maximum of your target tongue weight.

How to Adjust Your Target Tongue Weight Accurately

Once you have calculated your target tongue weight, place your load and secure it in your trailer accordingly and always make sure the weight is properly balanced.

Adapt Better Driving Techniques

Establishing effective driving habits can take some stress off of your trailer and tow vehicle. Some of these include:

  • Anticipate Longer Stopping Distances

Be attentive to vehicles that may stop suddenly ahead of you on busy roadways and always brake sooner (than later) when towing.

  • Avoid Riding the Brakes on Long, Steep Grades

Use a lower gear to help slow the vehicle to take some strain off the brakes. Applying the brakes at intervals to maintain a safe speed (as opposed to constant application of the brake pedal) will help prevent the brakes from overheating.

  • Adjust the Trailer Brakes According to the Load

If your trailer is equipped with brakes, you’ll want to set them so they can handle a lot of force when towing heavier loads. Remember, when the trailer is empty they need to be readjusted to accommodate lighter loads to prevent the trailer tires from locking up and skidding.

Proper Tire and Brake Maintenance

Maintenance always counts and be sure to follow these steps before and during any RV trip:

Inspect Your Truck and Trailer Tires.

  • Your truck tires may require a higher tire pressure when towing and always follow the recommended ratings from the manufacturer.
  • If your trailer has been stored outside or hasn’t been used in a while, check the tires for dry rot or cracking.
  • Don’t forget to ensure that the lug nuts on your trailer and tow vehicle tires are tightened to the specified torque.

Check Your Brakes

  • Make sure your brake pads have plenty of life remaining before hitting the road.
  • Get the trailer brakes inspected at your local service RV service centre and always be sure the wheel bearings are properly greased.

Conclusion

Properly loading your trailer to maintain proper tongue weight is essential when it comes to preserving the integrity of your tires and brakes. You can now tow with complete and total peace of mind when you follow these simple tips.

For more information about tongue weight, achieving proper weight distribution and other towing tips be sure to visit Weigh Safe at www.weigh-safe.com