PREMIER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
1-800-255-5387 • www.premier-mfg.com
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Selecting The Right Equipment
Step 4: Browse Premier Product Catalog
Step 3: Considering Operating Conditions and Environments
Step 2: Determine “Tongue Weight Capacity”
Step 1: Determine “Gross Trailer
(s)
Weight”
Whatever your application, selecting the proper equipment for the job is very important. Proper selection along
with regular inspection and maintenance will help keep operating costs minimal while providing long life to each
component. Below are general guidelines for selecting Premier Couplings and Drawbar Eyes. If you feel that your
application is unique, please give Premier a call so that we may help you through the selection process.
Follow these four steps to ensure proper selection of Premier Couplings and Drawbar Eyes.
Step 2:
Determine “Tongue
Weight Capacity”
(Maximum occurring tongue weight)
Step 3:
Add Margin of Safety
(Dependent upon your equipment
and operating environment)
Step 4:
Browse Premier
Product Catalog
(Based on Steps 1 - 3)
Step 1:
Determine “Gross
Trailer(s) Weight”
(GVWR(s) of towed trailers)
“Gross Trailer(s) Weight” is usually determined by the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This information is
attached to the trailer by the trailer manufacturer.
For “Double Trailer” configurations, only the rear trailer is considered
when selecting your Premier Coupling or Drawbar Eye. In this example, a
Coupling and Drawbar Eye with a “Gross Trailer Weight” rating of 40,000 lbs.
(18,143 kg) would be the minimum rating acceptable for normal, over-the-
road applications (see Tongue Weight section below).
For “Triple Trailers”, only the two most rearward trailers are
considered in selecting your Premier Coupling or Drawbar Eye.
In this example, a Coupling and Drawbar Eye with a “Gross
Trailer Weight” rating of 80,000 lbs. (36,287 kg) would be the
minimum acceptable for normal, over-the-road applications
(see Tongue Weight section below).
Double Trailer Configuration
Triple Trailer Configuration
Example only, each application may vary and should be considered unique.
Example only, each application may vary and should be considered unique.
40,000 LBS
40,000 LBS
40,000 LBS
Environments such as rough uneven roads or off-road use can dramatically increase shock loads to both drawbar
eyes and couplings. In general, increasing the “Gross Trailer Weight” (Step 1:) and “Tongue Weight Capacity”
(Step 2:) by a minimum of 25% will be sufficient for many applications. Even if an application is used off-road
occasionally, the minimum increase necessary for Gross Trailer and Tongue Weight is 25%. Certain types of
equipment and/or operating practices can also dramatically increase loads through equipment binding and/or
improper loading practices. Of special concern is high tongue weight. However, each application is unique and
every environment different, therefore your application may require more than 25%.
Once both “Gross Trailers(s) Weight” (Step 1:) and “Tongue Weight Capacity” (Step 2:) have been determined,
evaluate your operating conditions and apply an appropriate margin of safety.
Browse the Premier Product Catalog and refer to the “Specifications” section of each product. Be sure to review
the “Understanding Premier Load Specifications” section and “Coupling to Drawbar Eye Cross-Reference” sheet
on the next couple pages.
“Tongue Weight Capacity”
is the maximum expected weight at
the drawbar eye. If a hinged drawbar is used, the maximum weight
will be approximately 1/2 the overall drawbar weight. If a non-hinged
drawbar is used and the actual tongue weight is not known, you can
approximate the weight by multiplying the GVWR of the towed trailer
by 15%. However, each application is unique and the best practice is
to weigh the tongue when the trailer is loaded to its GVWR.
