Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to properly load my trailer with this 10,000 lb water tank. I will be traveling a distance of about 20 km, all on back country gravel roads, so speed is not a concern! The on thing I have is a hill about 1 km long with a few sections of about a 15% grade. I am building a jig kinda deal, so the tank can not move frontwards or backwards or side to side. So I only want to do that once. Was thinking a couple of inches ahead of where it is sitting now. I think where it is at, the trailer axles will be taking 100% of the load. I want some tongue weight, but how much?

 

Yeah probably just ahead a bit more so it is centred on the axles, and not tail heavy.

 

is the 1000 gallons all in one tank ? if one tank what chris said hits it on the head , pulling that i would want atleats 1000lbs hitch weigth over the trailer weigth , but i like hitch weight , i have the scars to show tail weight is a bad thing

 

Hitch weight costs nothing extra to haul, whereas tail weight can cost a huge amount extra.

 

It is only the one big tank. The little one was just on there because I wanted it out of my truck.

And I know what you mean about tail heavy. That is the real death wobble. My mother inlaw had an improperly loaded trailer. She was thrown from her vehicle, broken pelvis in 7 places, smashed shoulder etc... I will get it a little furher ahead.

 

Depending on your hitch, you would only be good for about 1000# on the ball and I'm not sure on the Goose/5th wheel for pin weight. But you need to keep the load more to the hitch side for sure. 1000 gallons of water is about 10,000 lbs.

 

when you make the brack to hold the tank on the trailer make it so you can adjust it easy that way you deside you want to move it front/ back it easy when empty , thats what i would do

 

If you are hauling it full, make sure it is right up to the top, when water start`s to slosh around your load will ****, you need weight over the hitch for sure, if your like me the more chains the better, Im over safe, but thats just me.

 

I have to agree with everyone, slide it forward a bit and fill it full to keep sloshing down and you should be good to go.

BUT, in the same token, why wear out your truck! Use the wifes mini van and get one of these.........http://www.acctowing.com/hitch_helper_hitches The single wheel version is the one I really have to laugh at.

They seem to be the in thing now a days. As the site says, why spend hard earned dollars on air bags and helper springs when all you need to do is hook up to this baby.

I find it absolutely amazing that they allow crap like this to be used on our roads but in the same breath, the DOT idiots will pull you over for a burnt out marker light.

I'm going to get off the box now and stand in the corner

Jeff

 

Traditionally you would want 12-15% tongue weight. As others have already mentioned I would think moving it forward some would be best.

 

Holy snap-dragons, that hitch-helper looks like a really good recipe for a really big wreck!!!
Sure, put 10,000 lbs behind your Toyota Echo. What could possibly go wrong....

 

Agreed.. What stress does that put on the hitch mount? To me the lateral side to side load would be my concern, that and the added distance to the ball would put more stress on the mounts wouldn't it?