Bri-Mar DT508LP, Owner'S Manual

Page: 19 / 146

General Safety Information
Bri-Mar 13
2.2.9 Improper Loading
The total weight of the load you put in or on the trailer, plus the empty
weight of the trailer itself, must not exceed the trailer's Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). If you do not know the empty weight of the
trailer plus the cargo weight, you must weigh the loaded trailer at a
commercial scale. In addition, you must distribute the load in the trailer
such that the load on any axle does not exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). If your trailer is equipped with a Tire & Loading
Information Placard, mounted next to the Certification / VIN label, the
cargo capacity weight stated on that placard is only a close estimate. The
GVWR and GAWR’s are listed on the Certification / VIN label mounted
on the front left side of the trailer.
^ W
ARNING
An overloaded trailer can result in failure or in loss of control of the
trailer, leading to death or serious injury.
Never load a trailer so that the weight on any tire exceeds its rating.
Never exceed the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Never exceed an axle Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
2.2.10 Unsafe Load Distribution
Uneven load distribution can cause tire, wheel, axle or structural failure.
Be sure your trailer is properly loaded.
Improper front / rear load distribution can lead to trailer swaying or poor
tow vehicle handling. Trailer sway results from tongue weights that are
too low, and poor tow vehicle stability results from tongue weights that
are too high. Refer to the Chapter heading “Loading the Trailer” for
more information.
In the following table, the second column shows the rule of thumb
percentage of total weight of the trailer plus its cargo (Gross Trailer
Weight, or “GTW”) that should appear on the tongue of the trailer. For
example, a trailer with a gooseneck hitch, with a loaded weight of 12,000
Trailers