New utility trailer, weight distribution question.

keaneb23 · February 22, 2017

Man oh man that's a ton of work. I'm on a cell phone right now. I'll upload pics when I get a chance probably tomorrow of the tank and at least a week until my trailer is ready. I have been wanting to post pics on here though. The trailer is a work Sport from Home Depot its older but most importantly it was free

dorkweed · February 22, 2017

Invest in a trailer with "AT LEAST" and "A" frame; and preferably on with another structural member splitting the "A" and going back to the box end of the trailer. Don't ask me how I know that.

I'll bet that trailer you're considering isn't capable (safely) of much more than 2000lbs. And that's if it's positioned properly in the trailer!!

Horacio · February 22, 2017

A free trailer is always a good thing. Maybe sock away some of your profits and get a better trailer down the road like dorkweed says.

asilverblazer · February 22, 2017

Personally, I'd layout the trailer how it works best. 1500 lbs on this small of a trailer is not going to amount to much in terms of jeopardizing the truck or its handling characteristics. I'd be surprised if after you've got it setup you are anywhere close to 500 lbs on the ball. On this setup as long as you don't exceed that I think it will be fine.

Donstar · February 23, 2017

Personally, I'd layout the trailer how it works best. 1500 lbs on this small of a trailer is not going to amount to much in terms of jeopardizing the truck or its handling characteristics. I'd be surprised if after you've got it setup you are anywhere close to 500 lbs on the ball. On this setup as long as you don't exceed that I think it will be fine.

I understand what you are saying but I will respectfully disagree. There is less forgiveness in an improperly loaded light-duty trailer than a heavy duty trailer, imo. As suggested earlier, a trailer's load rating is based on a properly (evenly) distributed load. I once got quite cocky at loading my utility trailer thinking the same way as your comment suggests. My hitch broke while driving down a steep grade going highway speeds. The experience may have been worse with a larger trailer, but it was plenty traumatic and I was an exceptionally lucky person that nobody was hurt. There was damage to my truck and trailer. My scare may not be because of an uneven load but I have no proof that it wasn't!

Krusty · February 23, 2017

Hello GM drivers, I was gifted a 5x8 open utility trailer with wood flooring. This trailer is NOT an A frame at the hitch, it is a single rod in the center. I have a 2016 rado 1500 5.3LT with the towing package. I am going to be running a mobile detailing business off the trailer that now sits in the back of my truck. MY MAIN QUESTION: I have a 100 gallon water tank appx 40lbs empty. I planned on putting it all the way forward of the trailer but now I am concerned about "tongue weight". I am a complete NOOB when it comes to this topic. Would 900lbs -/+ be ok all the way forward? Or more positioned over the axel?

You can get the trailering guide for 2016 here:

http://www.chevrolet.com/download-catalog.html

keaneb23 · February 23, 2017

Well obviously A frame is a lot stronger but since this was free I'm not complaining. I've thought about welding 2 bars on it to make it an A but I'm not too worried about it. The tank is almost never full meaning I will RARELY have over 1200lbs on the trailer.

diyer2 · February 23, 2017

Get in the habit of looking the trailer over for structural failures. You could strengthen the tongue by welding a piece of angle to the bottom if you wanted. The light wires are inside the tube though.

keaneb23 · February 23, 2017

Definitely! It's in the shop now getting new wiring and having everything looked at. Guy said it from what he could see it looks almost new.

Krusty · February 23, 2017

A neighbor sold me one of those cheapy Home Depot trailers for 50 bucks - should have kept it - very handy to have around.......

Last summer finally bought my own car / utility trailer for the nasty loads.......

keaneb23 · February 23, 2017

Exactly very handy to have around. If I need to use a bigger trailer I'll just rent one from uhaul I have only needed a trailer once in my lifetime so for this being free and able to suit my needs it's perfect. That's a nice trailer you have there

keaneb23 · March 4, 2017

turns out this thing is a 4x6!! LOL but whatever it is working absolutely perfect for what i need! no creaks, strange sounds, or problems that i can see! tank mounted over the rear axle, pressure washer and generator up front and im in business! Thanks for your help guys