weight and balance: cargo trailer

[not2brite]

Just bought my first ever single axle cargo trailer (6x10) to carry one large motorcycle. Manual says put 60% of weight in front of axle; 40% behind. If I put the front wheel in the nose, the rear wheel ends up on or just behind the axle. Seems like I should set the chock back a foot or two to get more of the bike over the axle; otherwise I can't get 40% in the rear. Will put the rear of the bike near the ramp door. Or maybe on such a small trailer it doesn't matter with a 700 pound motorcycle? Any trailer experts out there?

 

[PGlaves]

I am not sure this is helpful since I am offering some alternate criteria: but you want at least 10% of the gross weight (trailer and cargo) on the hitch ball. Otherwise the risk is that the trailer will sway at speed. And a swaying trailer with a motorcycle atop is not a pleasant feeling or sight.

You might want to put the chock a bit back but unless your tounge weight exceeds the weight rating of your hitch I personally would leave well enough alone.

 

[lee]

I have never hauled our bikes but I have a Aluma brand utility trailer.
The manual shows the tongue weight should be 6% to 10% of the trailer and load on the trailer.

 

[ragtoplvr]

A motorcycle catches a lot of wind. This can make the effective tongue weight vary. If it happens to shift aft, you get a speed sway, which as already stated is not a pleasant experience at all. Your hitch has a maximum weight rating, you want to not exceed that. Say that trailer weighs 1500 with the bike, I personally would like to see between 100 to 200 lbs on the hitch. Assuming you do not break something, more is always better. A bathroom scale can be used for the weighing of the hitch, as long as you block up the scale so the hitch is at the same level as when hitched up. If you have a very long tongue ( I am a fan of extending them, makes easy backing) then measure where the hitch originally was. This gives you safety margin for hills, wind and braking. The center of gravity must never go behind the axle or it will be bad. Even a mesh fold up ramp can shift things. Many people shift the weight to something they can easily pick up( another reason I like extended tongue). Often that is too little weight. Get a crank up wheel for the front. Save your back for riding!!!!

If you have a tandem axle trailer, you need more, the center must be in front of the front axle. I shoot for 20% of the gross weight. Added tongue weight is why a 5th wheel pulls so well.

Rod

 

[lee]

A motorcycle catches a lot of wind.

Sounds like the OP has an enclosed trailer because he mentions a ramp door.

 

[not2brite]

Sounds like the OP has an enclosed trailer because he mentions a ramp door.

Si: it's enclosed. That's what they call cargo trailers down here.

 

[ragtoplvr]

Si: it's enclosed. That's what they call cargo trailers down here.

Enclosed is good, it hides the shame of a BMW on a trailer

After my 7th ride across KS in the summer, I am seriously contemplating a trailer.

Rod

 

[not2brite]

I'm over 65 now, and those cross country trips on the bike are but a memory. Or maybe I'm smarter now?

 

[Omega Man]

I am not sure this is helpful since I am offering some alternate criteria: but you want at least 10% of the gross weight (trailer and cargo) on the hitch ball. Otherwise the risk is that the trailer will sway at speed. And a swaying trailer with a motorcycle atop is not a pleasant feeling or sight.

You might want to put the chock a bit back but unless your tounge weight exceeds the weight rating of your hitch I personally would leave well enough alone.

I'm over 65 now, and those cross country trips on the bike are but a memory. Or maybe I'm smarter now?

Smarter, more comfortable, safer.......all kinda the same. I'm wid' ya.
OM

 

[ragtoplvr]

Smarter, more comfortable, safer.......all kinda the same. I'm wid' ya.
OM

I have a 91 4 cy 5 speed dodge Dakota with a broken air conditioner and it it is STILL BETTER, er or so I have heard

At least the enclosed trailer hides the embarrassment when a group of beemers pass you, honk and wave.



Rod

 

[vtbob]

It is safer,in this case, to have more weight on the hitch than behind the axle. Your Dakota has no problem 3,4 or maybe evan 500 lbs on the hitch.
So putting the bike full forward on the trailer is ok. A more lightly sprung car may be limited to 100 lbs of so on the hitch so that is more important to balance the trailer the 60/40 split.

 

[Omega Man]

I have a 91 4 cy 5 speed dodge Dakota with a broken air conditioner and it it is STILL BETTER, er or so I have heard

At least the enclosed trailer hides the embarrassment when a group of beemers pass you, honk and wave.



Rod

What embarrassment?
Sometimes I have to turn the wipers on. Where would I put the ATV....and the shower
It's all good, whatever works for you....

OM

 

[52184]

Tongue weight is your friend, up to the weight limit (not tow limit) of your hitch.
Here's a good demonstration of what comes from insufficient tongue weight:

10%-13% of gross trailer weight on tongue is a good rule, common in the RV industry.

Best,
DG

 

[snotty54]

Ride West Coast, and East Coast

I'm over 65 now, and those cross country trips on the bike are but a memory. Or maybe I'm smarter now?

Me too. Bike on each coast, fly out, ride-ride-ride- fly home