What is Ideal Weight Load on Trailer Springs to Provide Good Ride Quality

Updated 04/20/2015 | Published 04/18/2015

Question:

What percentage of weight on a trailer springs capacity is considered an ideal weight to tow? Ex: If the load is too light 1000lbs, the trailer will ride stiff 3500 lbs springs if the load is too heavy 3500+lbs, the trailer will bounce up and down. 3500lbs springs

asked by: Henry P

Helpful Expert Reply:

Naturally a trailer should always be loaded within its rated capacity, but indeed an unloaded or lightly-loaded trailer will have more bounce and handle a bit rougher than one that is loaded up to say 75-percent of its capacity.

There is no actual rule of thumb on this. Apart from the weight of the load on the trailer you also have to consider the manner of how that load is positioned as this too affects ride quality. If you can increase the tongue weight (TW) load on the trailer by loading cargo more forward this will tend to reduce rear-end sway and improve overall handling.

You might care to review the linked article that incudes information on trailer loading.

expert reply by: Adam R