Midwest Industries, Inc. Ida Grove, IA 51445 800.859.3028 www.shorelandr.com 0003513
Page 3
Ensuring that your trailer has the proper GVWR is very important.
Once that has been established and you have the load on the trailer
it is equally important that you have proper weight distribution.
Tongue Weight
The tongue weight on your trailer should range from 5-10% of the
total weight of the trailer and all the cargo that it is carrying. This
is the amount of weight that is then transferred to the tow vehicle
through the ball hitch. Smaller trailers should have a tongue weight
that ranges closer to the 10% while larger trailers will tend to be
closer to the 5% range. This should be checked when the tongue
is parallel to the ground. A bathroom scale can be used to help
determine the tongue weight as long as the above conditions are
adhered to.
Example: The total weight of the trailer with load is 2,000 pounds.
The tongue weight should not be less than 100 pounds (5%) nor
more than 200 pounds (10%). A reasonable tongue weight for a
trailer this size is 125-150 pounds.
Too light of tongue weight can cause the trailer to “fishtail” (sway
CAUTION: The maximum load applied to the trailer
must never exceed the carrying capacity of the trailer
as stated on the VIN label and/or the tire placard. Doing
so may cause failure of one or more component parts of
the trailer causing potential damage to the trailer and/
or a potential accident. All concentrated loads must be
spread over as large an area as possible to eliminate
potential damage to the decking.
Located on the front left-hand side of the frame, (either the inside
or the outside) is the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) tag. It will
show the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) which is the maxi-
mum load that can be applied to the tires on the trailer. Note that
the VIN tag may have as many as three different GVWR ratings
listed because some trailers frames have more than one tire option
available. The GVWR and the carrying capacity of the trailer may
vary based on the tire size installed on the trailer.
Also listed on the VIN tag is the carrying capacity of the trailer.
This is the maximum carrying capacity of the trailer with its respec-
tive tire option. It may not necessarily equal the total GVWR of the
trailer less the empty weight of the trailer because there may be
another controlling factor such as frame strength that reduces the
carrying capacity to what is listed on the VIN tag.
The tire label will list the size tire that was installed on the trailer as
original equipment when it was sold to you, the consumer. It also
lists the maximum carrying capacity of the trailer.
IMPORTANT
The total weight of the load must never exceed the weight of cargo
listed on the tire label and/or the maximum load carrying capacity
listed on the VIN tag on your trailer. The GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) listed is the maximum total weight of the trailer with
accessories and all cargo allowable to be carried on the tires that
are installed on the trailer.
Some model trailers have a different limiting factor other than the
tires, example frame, or brake law limitations. The maximum load
carrying capacity that is listed should never be exceeded.
Load-carrying Capacity
Proper Weight Distribution & Tongue Weight
Shown below is an example of the VIN and tire label that is placed
on your trailer showing the items just discussed above. Once you
have familiarized yourself with the information supplied on the ex-
ample tire label and VIN tag, check the tire size and capacity of
your trailer as shown on the VIN tag on your trailer.
from side to side) as you travel down the highway. This creates
excessive strains on the tow vehicle, hitch and also the trailer itself.
It can very easily lead to an accident.
To adjust for too light tongue weight the load must be shifted for-
ward with respect to the axle. This will increase the weight that is
transferred to the tongue. Adjustments should be made until the
tongue weight falls within the 5% and 10% recommended range.
Likewise, if you have too much tongue weight adjust the weight
backwards with respect to the axle until the tongue weight falls in
the recommended range.
Tow vehicles vary on how much tongue weight they can support for
proper towing.
