[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-15-2023).]

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Any trailer is supposed to have more weight at the tounge / hitch. I believe the tounge is supposed to have at least 10% more weight forward of the trailer wheels, per total payload weight.

Look closely at this photo........ I believe he exceeded by far, that 10% tounge weight rule, as well as the trailers gross payload capacity, as well as the tire load weight capacity..
I had that very same model, length, and brand trailer at one time. It was rated at 5,140lb payload capacity which I sometimes exceeded a 'little' with 5 round bales of hay on it.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 03-14-2023).]

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Most vehicle's hoods can blow open.

I suspect that's a rather rare occurrence, seeing as how vehicles (and their hoods) are designed to blast down the freeway while going forward.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Any trailer is supposed to have more weight at the tounge / hitch. I believe the tounge is supposed to have at least 10% more weight forward of the trailer wheels, per total payload weight.

I understand what you're saying in regards to a trailer, where the entire payload is on the trailer... but does that necessarily apply to a tow dolly, where a great deal of the payload's weight is sitting on one of its own axles? Again, I have practically no towing experience to draw from... but wouldn't whatever the weight of the payload that's in front of the tow dolly's axle be sufficient to stabilize it, since there is no payload weight on the tow dolly to the rear of the tow dolly's axle?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-15-2023).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Look closely at this photo........ I believe he exceeded by far, that 10% tounge weight rule, as well as the trailers gross payload capacity, as well as the tire load weight capacity.

Yes, I have tested payload capacities many a time, . There is a safety / dummy factor in ratings.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: I suspect that's a rather rare occurrence, seeing as how vehicles (and their hoods) are designed to blast down the freeway while going forward .

, , true that. However, a Fiero's engine cover is designed to go the other way,

quote Originally posted by Patrick: I understand what you're saying in regards to a trailer, where the entire payload is on the trailer... but does that necessarily apply to a tow dolly, where a great deal of the payload's weight is sitting on one of its own axles?

Yes ! Ask me how I know. My 99 Ford F150 blew a head gasket. In a spot where it had to be loaded "backwards". I borrowed a friends vehicle and was towing it to the shop. It got squirrely and caused it to roll on one side. Tow dolly and all. I was lucky. I did not cause an accident nor did the incident cause my borrowed vehicle to roll.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Again, I have no towing experience to draw from... but wouldn't whatever the weight of the payload that's in front of the tow dolly's axle be sufficient to stabilize it, since there is no payload weight on the tow dolly to the rear of the tow dolly's axle?

No !

I was thinking, and upon further thought I need to mention that a tow vehicle's tow rating needs to be followed. Also the actual tow hitch's rating. Also, all tow hitch ratings give a tounge load guideline. I have noticed it is usually / always 10 % of the hitch rating.

[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 03-14-2023).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Look closely at this photo........ I believe he exceeded by far, that 10% tounge weight rule, as well as the trailers gross payload capacity, as well as the tire load weight capacity.. I had that very same model, length, and brand trailer at one time. It was rated at 5,140lb payload capacity which I sometimes exceeded a 'little' with 5 round bales of hay on it.

Oh man, I don’t even know where to begin. The DOT would have a field day with that one.

When I was Director of Safety for a flatbed carrier, I kept a picture on my desk that I found on the CVSA website. It showed a large dozer with an RGN trailer behind it and a Peterbilt hood in front. On closer inspection, you could see the rest of the Pete underneath the dozer.

One day, a driver came in with a single track from a large crane on his trailer. He had it tied down with two ⁵/₁₆th chains. That one track weighed 45,000lbs. I had to explain a few things to him.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: I want to post this as a public service to Fiero owners. You loaded it correctly. Not because the rear wheels are not free wheeling. Because any trailer needs more weight up front to prevent swaying.

This is a fact. Anyone who has ever driven an empty trailer with a pigyback forklift hanging on the back will know why.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: I understand what you're saying in regards to a trailer, where the entire payload is on the trailer... but does that necessarily apply to a tow dolly, where a great deal of the payload's weight is sitting on one of its own axles? Again, I have no towing experience to draw from... but wouldn't whatever the weight of the payload that's in front of the tow dolly's axle be sufficient to stabilize it, since there is no payload weight on the tow dolly to the rear of the tow dolly's axle?

quote Originally posted by maryjane: No, it does not Patrick. Dollies are engineered to transfer only about 100-200 lbs to the vehicles towing hitch when towing a light car. That's less than around 10% of the vehicle's weight. But, you don't need the 10% on a dolly that has brakes. The dolly's axle tho, does 'see' around 10% of the vehicle's weight if the towed vehicle fall within the rated capacity of the dolly.

Much like a converter dolly turns a semi-trailer into a full trailer, a car and tow dolly become a single unit.

Just the ramblings of an old retired gearjammer.

[This message has been edited by williegoat (edited 03-14-2023).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Look closely at this photo........ I believe he exceeded by far, that 10% tounge weight rule, as well as the trailers gross payload capacity, as well as the tire load weight capacity.. I had that very same model, length, and brand trailer at one time. It was rated at 5,140lb payload capacity which I sometimes exceeded a 'little' with 5 round bales of hay on it.

My Lord!! Look at the frame (from the bed to the hitch coupler), I'm amazed the tires didn't blow when they loaded that dozer on the trailer. Frame is sitting on the axles. That's an accident waiting to be discovered. Ya don't really need to worry about that load being secured, it won't be going far anyway............ Would love to see what was towing that load..........

Rams

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 03-14-2023).]

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-15-2023).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: I've towed a half-dozen trailers in my life. I've only ever once towed a trailer. How can both statements be true?

Five trailers were loaded on one trailer.

quote Originally posted by blackrams: ... I'm amazed the tires didn't blow when they loaded that dozer on the trailer.

Well, if you notice, the front tire on that trailer IS flat. I would like to see the jack needed to change it, .

One other thing I should mention. A one item load should not be all the way to the front of the trailer. That load should be "centered" slightly on front of the axle(s) to get the 10%.

[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 03-15-2023).]