Transporting Equipment with Trailers Part 2: loading your trailer

This second blog post in a series of 3 for moving rowing equipment with trailers focuses on managing the load you plan to tow in your trailer. What do we mean by this? We mean that if you balance a trailer in different ways it can affect your driving capabilities, endangering yourself and the equipment you\’re towing. We\’ll show you why this occurs and helpful tips on how you can balance your trailer for optimum safety.

Balancing and placing your items in or on your trailer

When you overbalance towards the front or back of your trailer, that raises the front or back axles of the car you are towing the trailer with. This results in a loss of suspension which makes it difficult for your vehicle brakes to be applied effectively. Overbalancing towards the left or right also restricts your turning capabilities. There are methods of balancing a trailer for safe driving conditions. Here\’s what we found…

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=\”yes\” overflow=\”visible\”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=\”1_1\” background_position=\”left top\” background_color=\”\” border_size=\”\” border_color=\”\” border_style=\”solid\” spacing=\”yes\” background_image=\”\” background_repeat=\”no-repeat\” padding=\”\” margin_top=\”0px\” margin_bottom=\”0px\” class=\”\” id=\”\” animation_type=\”\” animation_speed=\”0.3\” animation_direction=\”left\” hide_on_mobile=\”no\” center_content=\”no\” min_height=\”none\”] $\"\"$

$\"Effect$

If you balance your cargo by placing it all in the center of your trailer or by stacking them you\’re endangering your cornering while driving. A trailer can be easily flipped this way when turning. Instead you should balance your load. Balancing a load means placing equal weighting loads at either end of a container, spread evenly from right to left.

You should be able to balance in this way by weighing each item of your cargo and distributing those items accordingly throughout your trailer. Balancing by feeling of the weights alone may not be sufficient for safety so try to weigh your cargo accurately. You can also flatten your cargo (laying it on its side) to reduce chances of tipping and movement. Using carpet is a great way to create friction to reduce movement also.

One option trailer drivers have for helping balance their towing load is an anti-sway device. This is a tow bar attachment that controls and constrains the movement of your trailer as you drive. Visit your local automobile outfit to ask about anti-sway devices for your vehicle.

We\’ll see you again in Part 3 of this series – the trip and driving safety.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]