If you tow a trailer behind your bike or truck.

[twowheeladdict]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeEEC5eVNCk

One of the most comprehensive explanations as to why you want to get it right from the start.

[fotoguzzi]

Very informative, thanks for posting.

[guzziart]

 

[Huzo]

We all understood before, but that just stays in your head.
Thanks for sharing…

[Scout63]

Very interesting. Good reinforcement.

[Hacksaw]

Did anyone but me do the math on the weights used?

[twowheeladdict]

Did anyone but me do the math on the weights used?

Which math did yo do on the weights used?

Did you calculate the cg for each scenario?

Did yo calculate the tongue weight for each scenario?

Did you calculate something else?

Are you questioning the validity of their results?

[fotoguzzi]

At 6:20 it should read 1600g for the trailer not 1000? Is that it?

[Mike Tashjian]

General rule of thumb for small trailers is 5% of total trailer weight minimum for tongue weight. From there 10% is what I shoot for and that works well.  My owners manual will give a rough tongue weight by how much the vehicle squats when the trailer is connected. Mine is 350 lbs per inch.  I went with a friend to buy a bike with his nice new to him trailer.  The bike has extended forks but not extreme.  The tongue weight was not good after loading the bike. The instability was very apparent and since part of the return trip involved highway travel we bought two bags of sand to drop on the front of the trailer. That solved the issue instantly. 

[twowheeladdict]

General rule of thumb for small trailers is 5% of total trailer weight minimum for tongue weight. From there 10% is what I shoot for and that works well.  My owners manual will give a rough tongue weight by how much the vehicle squats when the trailer is connected. Mine is 350 lbs per inch.  I went with a friend to buy a bike with his nice new to him trailer.  The bike has extended forks but not extreme.  The tongue weight was not good after loading the bike. The instability was very apparent and since part of the return trip involved highway travel we bought two bags of sand to drop on the front of the trailer. That solved the issue instantly.

What vehicle has that info in the owners manual?  I have never seen that, and there must be some caveats included,  like knowing the trailer weight, otherwise you can't calculate the percent tongue weight.

Where is your source for 5%?  Can't find any source that says less than 10 percent is safe.

[Ncdan]

This information came right up when I googled it.
Hope this helps answer questions.

[Road Rocket]

What vehicle has that info in the owners manual?  I have never seen that, and there must be some caveats included,  like knowing the trailer weight, otherwise you can't calculate the percent tongue weight.

Where is your source for 5%?  Can't find any source that says less than 10 percent is safe.

  My wife has a 2010 Chevy HHR, the owners manual has a detailed section on trailer towing, weight distribution, tire pressure and effects on vehicle performance...The fwd  clown car weighs about 3000 pounds, maximum trailer weight of 1000 pounds..... with a minimum of 10-15 percent on the hitch...The HHR is a 5 speed manual a Chevy disclaimer says no trailer towing ......

[Mike Tashjian]

I have built a few trailers and was surprised when my owners manual stated some of the recommendations.  It is a 16 Honda pilot with AWD and the manual states, Tongue load with a fully loaded boat trailer on the hitch should be approximately 5-15 percent of the total trailer weight.  Other trailers 10-15 percent of total trailer weight. It tows 5000 lbs max with a trans cooler). It also gives a handy guide as how to estimate tongue weight when the trailer is attached.  It gives measurements which translate to load.  For the pilot 2 5/8 inches is 500 lbs which is it's limit.   If you have no means of calculating your trailer weight and load you should go to a public scale like a truck stop and figure out what your weights are.  I have used a bath scale for tongue weight and have seen people use a bath scale and 2 x4 to multiple the capacity of the bath scale. 

[twowheeladdict]

I have built a few trailers and was surprised when my owners manual stated some of the recommendations.  It is a 16 Honda pilot with AWD and the manual states, Tongue load with a fully loaded boat trailer on the hitch should be approximately 5-15 percent of the total trailer weight.  Other trailers 10-15 percent of total trailer weight. It tows 5000 lbs max with a trans cooler). It also gives a handy guide as how to estimate tongue weight when the trailer is attached.  It gives measurements which translate to load.  For the pilot 2 5/8 inches is 500 lbs which is it's limit.   If you have no means of calculating your trailer weight and load you should go to a public scale like a truck stop and figure out what your weights are.  I have used a bath scale for tongue weight and have seen people use a bath scale and 2 x4 to multiple the capacity of the bath scale.

Thanks for the additional information. Of course knowing your tongue weight without knowing the total weight can't get you to percent tongue weight.

Towing safely can't be a swag.

[Road Rocket]

 So you all need measuring sticks and a scale before loading ?   

[bobrebos1]

Just towed one behind my goldwing for three weeks and 3600 miles.  Towed perfectly.  Nice trip out west but HOT HOT HOT!!!