Balancing A Camper Trailer: Achieving Stability On Your Adventures

Balancing a camper trailer is essential for a safe and enjoyable camping experience. Proper weight distribution improves handling and stability, reduces sway, prevents overloading, and minimises the risk of accidents. To balance a camper trailer, it is important to understand weight ratings, distribute weight according to the 60/40 rule, place heavy items near the axle, fill in smaller items, consider holding tank additions, check tongue weight, secure everything, and use a truck scale to ensure the trailer is not overloaded.

Understand the importance of weight distribution

Weight distribution is a crucial aspect of camper trailer safety. Proper weight distribution improves handling and stability, enhances fuel efficiency, and minimises the risk of accidents. It also helps prevent excessive wear and tear on your vehicle, reducing the need for costly repairs.

Weight distribution refers to how the load in your camper trailer is spread across the axles and tyres. When weight is distributed evenly, your trailer's centre of gravity remains stable, reducing the risk of accidents. This is especially important when taking sharp turns or driving in high winds, as an improperly loaded trailer can lead to tipping or swaying.

To ensure proper weight distribution, it is important to know the weight limits of your trailer, including the cargo-carrying capacity, tow limits, and gross axle weight rating. When packing, distribute weight evenly on both sides of the trailer and place heavy items low and near the trailer's axle(s).

Improper weight distribution can lead to several issues, including poor handling and control, increased risk of tire blowouts, overworking the engine, and reduced safety in the event of an accident. Therefore, taking the time to understand and implement proper weight distribution techniques is essential for a safe and enjoyable camping experience.

Know the role of tongue weight

Tongue weight, or the downward force exerted on the hitch by the trailer, is crucial in maintaining the balance of your camper trailer and preventing sway. It is a significant factor in ensuring safety, improving handling and stability, and reducing the risk of accidents and trailer damage.

To achieve proper tongue weight, it is recommended that the tongue weight be between 10% and 15% of the camper trailer's gross weight. This can be calculated by first determining the trailer's gross weight, which includes the weight of the trailer itself and all cargo. By ensuring the tongue weight falls within the recommended range, you can maintain optimal balance and stability while towing.

Measuring tongue weight is an important step in ensuring it is within the appropriate range. For smaller campers, a basic bathroom scale can be used, while a trailer tongue weight scale is more suitable for larger trailers. Additionally, public scales or weigh stations can also be utilised. Regularly measuring and adjusting tongue weight will help maintain optimal balance and prevent any issues caused by excessive or insufficient tongue weight.

To address a heavy tongue weight, one effective solution is to use a load equalizing device, such as a weight distribution hitch. This device transfers the tongue weight from the trailer to the towing vehicle, reducing issues like proposing or vehicle sag. It is important to select a weight distribution hitch with a weight capacity that matches your trailer's loaded weight and to follow the manufacturer's installation and adjustment instructions.

By understanding the role of tongue weight and taking the necessary steps to maintain proper tongue weight, you can enhance the safety, stability, and overall performance of your camper trailer.

Use a weight distribution hitch

A weight distribution hitch is a system designed to create a level, stable ride when you tow a trailer. It helps keep your towing setup level and ensures the weight of your trailer doesn't cause undue stress on your vehicle. It uses spring bars to help combat issues such as trailer sway, tow vehicle sag, and poor steering and stopping.

When you hook up your travel trailer or motorhome without a weight distribution hitch, too much weight can be on the hitch itself, leading to instability. The same can be said for too much weight on the trailer itself. With too much weight too far back, you’re much more likely to experience trailer sway or fishtailing.

Step 1: Measure Vehicle and Trailer Height

Park your vehicle and trailer on a level surface and use the trailer tongue jack and a level to make sure your trailer is parallel with the ground. Measure and record the height of your vehicle and trailer. You will need to know the distance from the ground to the top of the trailer coupler and the distances from the ground to the bottom of the rear bumper and front bumper on your tow vehicle.

Step 2: Attach the WD Shank and Hitch Head

Insert the weight distribution shank into the receiver tube. Secure it using a hitch pin and clip. Position the head assembly on the adjustable shank. The head should be raised into position so that the top of the trailer ball is one to three inches above the coupler height. Use one mounting bolt at the bottom of the assembly to hold it in place, but do not tighten with a nut.

Step 3: Set Weight Distribution Hitch Head Angle

Pivot the head downward, place two washers on the adjustment rod and insert the rod into the lower hole on the head. Rotate the head up into the mounting position on the shank. It should be vertical or tilted slightly back. You may need to add or remove washers to achieve the proper angle. Insert the second bolt into the top hole in the hitch head and fasten both bolts with the provided nuts and washers. Tighten the bolts but only enough to hold the head in place.

Step 4: Install Spring Bars and Couple the Trailer

Mount the spring bars on the hitch head. If the spring bar chains have not yet been attached, attach them to the spring bars before mounting the bars to the head. Raise the trailer coupler, and back the tow vehicle up to couple the trailer to the trailer ball.

Step 5: Raise the Trailer Jack

With the coupler latched onto the trailer ball, lift up the coupling point using the trailer jack. The coupler should be raised about three inches above the level position.

Step 6: Engage the Hookup Brackets

Position the spring bar hookup brackets on the trailer frame using the spring bar chains as a guide. Mount the brackets onto the trailer frame using the provided bolts. Attach the spring bar chains to the brackets. Make sure both sides are spaced the same vertically, with the same number of chain links between the spring bars and the hookup brackets. Then, pry the brackets into the locked position using the provided lift handle.

Step 7: Adjust the Weight Distribution Hitch

Retract the trailer jack so that the full weight of the trailer is resting on the hitch. Re-measure the distances between the ground and the front and rear bumpers. Each distance should be within 1/2" of the original measurement. If the distances have changed too drastically, you can adjust the number of links on the spring bar chains to increase or decrease tension. You can also adjust the tilt of the head unit.

Step 8: Fully Tighten the Bolts

Uncouple the trailer and torque all hardware to the values specified in the instructions.

Distribute weight evenly

Distributing the weight in your camper trailer is crucial for a safe and enjoyable camping experience. Here are some detailed tips to help you distribute the weight evenly:

Understand the Center of Gravity and Tongue Weight:

The center of gravity in a camper trailer is typically close to the axles, where the weight is balanced from side to side and front to back. The tongue weight refers to the downward force exerted on the hitch by the trailer, and it should be between 10% and 15% of the trailer's gross weight.

Load Heavy Items Properly:

Place heavy items like batteries, propane tanks, and cargo close to the axles, not in the front or rear. Distribute these items evenly across the length and width of your trailer to prevent fishtailing.

Achieve a Balanced Side-to-Side Weight Distribution:

Use Weight Distribution Hitches:

Consider using weight distribution hitches, which help transfer tongue weight from the rear axle of the tow vehicle to the front axle and trailer axles. These hitches also have built-in sway control to reduce trailer sway.

Adjust Your Hitch Setup:

Depending on the type of weight distribution hitch you have, you may need to adjust the ball mount height, tighten or loosen spring bars, adjust the angle of the spring bars, or use different snap-up brackets to optimise weight distribution. Refer to your hitch manual for specific instructions.

Check Weights Regularly:

Before each trip, use a trailer tongue weight scale to ensure your tongue weight is within the recommended range. Additionally, weigh your fully loaded trailer at a truck weigh station to verify that the total weight is within the safe towing capacity.

Check tongue weight

Checking tongue weight is crucial to ensuring your camper trailer is balanced and safe to tow. Tongue weight refers to the downward force exerted by the trailer tongue on the hitch of your tow vehicle. If the tongue weight is too heavy, it can make steering and controlling the vehicle difficult, especially when turning and braking. On the other hand, if the tongue weight is too light, it can cause the trailer to sway. Therefore, it is essential to regularly check and adjust the tongue weight to ensure it falls within the optimal range.

There are several methods you can use to measure tongue weight. One common approach is to use a tongue weight scale, which can be purchased at most towing supply shops. Simply place the scale under the trailer jack and take a reading. If the jack doesn't fit properly, you can use a sturdy pipe placed vertically between the coupler and the scale.

Alternatively, you can use a bathroom scale to measure tongue weight. If you expect the tongue weight to be less than 300 pounds, place the tongue or jack directly on the scale. For heavier weights, you can use boards and pipes to create a setup that allows you to take a reading from the bathroom scale and then triple it to find the actual tongue weight.

Another option is to use a vehicle scale, which can be found at rest stops or dumps. First, weigh your vehicle without the trailer attached. Then, hook up the trailer and weigh your vehicle again, ensuring that the trailer wheels do not touch the scale. By subtracting the weight of your vehicle alone from the weight of your vehicle with the trailer attached, you can determine the tongue weight.

Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to ensure that your trailer is parked on a level surface and that the wheels are chocked before taking any measurements. Additionally, it is recommended to check the tongue weight frequently, especially before each trip, and adjust your cargo as needed to maintain a balanced weight distribution.

Frequently asked questions