Bigfoot T2801, Manual

Page: 18 / 69

Page 16 of 69
¾
Tow Vehicle —do not exceed the GVWR of the tow vehicle. This includes the curb weight of
the vehicle, payload, and hitch weight. Hitch weight is the percentage of the trailer weight
that is placed on the trailer coupler of the tow vehicle. (Refer to the next section on Trailer
Vehicle Hitch Weight.) Tow vehicles also have GAWR limits. Payload and hitch weight
must be divided evenly between the axles to conform to the maximum weight limits and to
avoid over-steering problems.
¾
Trailer Vehicle Hitch Weight —approximately 8-15 percent of a trailer's gross weight is
designed to be loaded in front of the front axle and onto the hitching mechanism. This
ensures needed stability for road handling. If your trailer is not stable, you may have a
problem with not enough weight on the hitch. Here are some methods to figure out hitch
weight:
ƒ
Park your loaded trailer on a scale so that the hitch coupler extends beyond the end of the
scale, but the tongue jack post (the post on the front of the trailer which rests on the
ground when unhitched) is on the scale.
ƒ
Block the trailer vehicle wheels, unhitch the tow vehicle, and obtain a weight rating. This
is the curb weight of the trailer vehicle alone.
ƒ
Place a jack stand (or 4" x 4" blocks) under the coupler (beyond the scale) so that the
tongue jack post is supported off the scale and the trailer is fairly level. Note this weight
rating.
ƒ
Subtract the reading in #2 from the reading in #3 for the hitch weight.
In any RV, vehicle stability and safety can be affected by weight distribution. If, for example,
rear axle weight is low, it is best to load the heaviest supplies toward the rear. Keep heaviest
supplies low, to keep the center of gravity low and ensure best handling.
Balance
Before you tow a trailer, evaluate the trailer weight distribution. Hitch weights for travel trailers
should typically be at least 8 percent of the trailer's gross weight for acceptable handling. In
some cases it can go to 15 percent or higher. Hitch weight for larger trailers is limited by the
capacities of tow vehicles and hitches. The strongest load-distributing hitch is rated for a
maximum hitch weight of 1200 pounds. Most passenger car suspensions cannot handle that
much weight and the trailer should be towed with a pickup truck or van. Improper weight
distribution can cause the trailer to fishtail (sway back and forth across the lane).
Hitch Adjustment
If your hitch weight is less than 10 percent of the gross trailer weight, you can compensate for
some of this by loading heavy supplies such as tools and canned goods as far forward as
possible. If your trailer's water tank is behind the axle(s), travel with as little water in the tank as
possible to reduce weight in the rear. Trailers with water tanks located in front usually handle
best when the tanks are full, because the water adds to hitch weight.
Be sure that the spring bars of the load-distributing hitch are rated high enough to handle the
hitch weight of your trailer, plus a safety margin of at least 10 percent. Check for adequate rear
suspension of the tow vehicle. This means that the vehicle sits relatively level prior to hitching
the trailer.