The video is a bit misleading but saves itself with the 10% to 15% rule of thumb statement. Here's a video the closely mimics weight distributions and ratio's and the likely outcome, including placing the weight too far forward as illustrated above. The above video was saved by the fact the the wheels of the trailer were centerline of the trailer and not positioned in the back one third-portion of the trailer. video - ruclips.net/video/JeEEC5eVNCk/видео.html
Not even kidding some guy in a lifted truck had a U-haul trailer with a hitch that was not even close to low enough to keep all the wheels on the ground. He slowed down to cross a bridge so fast I ended up next to him. His trailer ended up right in front of my car, and automatic braking saved my life. People need to know this stuff!
I got a chance to witness this on a highway. We were following a truck towing a recreational trailer with a mild cross wind. His trailer started to swing back and forth, ultimately ending with truck and trailer in the ditch. The harmonic swinging kept getting more violent, and he didn't stop soon enough. Everybody was OK and nothing flipped, but it was a life lesson.
This is a really good representation. I've seen trailers start swaying on the highway and it's not a pretty sight. Good job thanks for making this video.
@@ronnieg6358 So long as you can keep accelerating forever you're good! I was riding in a 1500 pulling like 30 squares in a dump trailer, that bitch started wagging hard and there was a point where I was looking at the white lines on the road above the fucking side view mirror. It's amazing the truck didn't go over. Clean the pants, move some bundles and hope for the best... If you ever see a roofer puling a trailer, stay way back.
Working with plastic models here they had to add weight to the side-by-side to accurately show the physics of it, which they put in the back as the 2 cylinders, which in the safe position are directly over the axle (with the small percentage over the tongue obviously), so although it isn't visually correct, the physics behind it is for one loaded in the middle/slightly forward of the axle.
This makes so much sense i've never really analyzed it before. The forward weight pushes down on the hitch thus giving the back wheels more pressure and in turn more friction on the ground making the vehicle more stable. The weight on the far back makes the wheels act as a lever causing the hitch go up. The back wheels of the truck are now being lifted to make weaker contact with the ground making less traction which is just a recipe for disaster. Thanks for making this video
I think it's more about the weight on the back of the trailer is acting as a lever with the trailer wheels sideways, magnifying any small sideways movement until you're fishtailing.
What most people don't understand, is why the poorly loaded trailer is unstable. Its actually very complex, but it involves resonance. The truck and trailer become a dynamic spring mass system. The forward speed effects the frequency of excitation in the system. With the mass closer to the pivot point ( the trailer hitch), the polar moment of inertia is reduced and the system becomes more unstable. As the mass is moved further away, ( to the back of the trailer), the polar moment of inertia is increased and the system is more resistant to dynamic changes in direction and thus becomes more stable. Placing the load over the trailer axle is good for load capacity, but not the best option for dynamic stability. This video highlights the two extreme positions for the load, not necessarily the ideal placement for every situation.
The model is plastic with weight added into the back of it to show the physics in the form of those 2 cylinders which are over the axle in the forward position, so that's not the forward extreme. To show the forward extreme this model would need to have the back of it over the front of the trailer.
I didn't notice the weight they added over the rear axle of the UTV, but to your point, the forward extreme would be if the UTV was loaded at the front of the trailer, but facing the rear. (I think this is what you meant.)
Good little demo. I’ve had the misfortune of trying to pull a trailer with a large roof top air conditioner loaded to far back of the axle. The trailer ended up driving the truck. Once it starts to wag it get really crazy fast. Get it loaded right or pay the price.
Years ago boss sent me to pick up some pilings for a job. We loaded 40' pilings on a 16' trailer.....imaging the sway we had! Anything over 20 mph was scary as hell! I was only 20 at the time and didn't know jack....learned real fast that properly loading a trailer make a BIG difference.
Ok I just have to compliment this excellent demonstration/safety video. All stuff I knew but what an easy way to make it visual for others to learn from.
I love this video, i recently went with my dad to sell a trailer to a refugee who fled from Ukraine. He had some trouble understanding me and my dad when we talked about trailer wagging, he probably understood about 75% of what we talked about,so i pulled this video up after looking up "Trailer wagging" , and he understood immediately 😂 Fantastic video that quickly shows how dangerous it can be if you load your trailer wrong
Had a new kid pickup 2 orders [small trees I believe], put the 1st order all in the back of the trailer, 2nd order wasn't ready, so he delivered the 1st order. Went in the ditch a mile down the road from just what was shown on the video
I never gave towing much thought because my boat trailers were already set up for it. When i got an enclosed trailer and loaded it with motocycles BEHIND the axle, these exact oscillations began and so did my search to find out why. Thanks for the quick demonstration!
First it was a Nordic track. And then it was a treadmill. The treadmill worked way better for hanging clothes on. Now I’m thinking about a total gym. Not conducive for hanging clothes on at all👍🏻
This dangerous situation is so very simple shown here. This video should be mandatory in driving lessons. Could easily save lives! I hope many will learn from it.
Thank you for showing the tow vehicle as being a Ford F-150 crew cab 4x4. A Chevrolet would have broken down midway through the video, or rusted out during the test.
@@TacoTacoTacocat The Ram would have a bed big enough to just throw the ATV in the bed and still have a crew cab and still pull a full trailer of lead.
Great Demo! Really good information. This video should be mandatory for roofers. They attach a 5 ton trailer on a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton pickup. While removing shingles on a job they load the entire load on the tail of the trailer. I saw one individual do this two days in a row. As he was going down the road the first day he got to swaying so bad he was back and forth across 4 lanes, he did manage to regain control. The next day he did the same thing. That time he managed to not only wreck, but turn both the pickup and trailer over. Fortunately no injuries, but shut down the interstate for two or three hours.
I did some work when I was a kid in Florida not long after some hurricanes. They relax the permitting requirements big time and people pile in from all across the country. I was riding in a 1500 pulling a dump trailer with ~30 squares of the heavy high year shit since we couldn't afford or wait on someone to come put them on the roof. The trailer started wagging, and for a few cycles I was staring at white lines in the road over the side view mirrors. Somehow it didn't go over, didn't even lose a tire, managed to not tag anyone on i95. We moved shingles around and then went to carry all those fuckers onto the roof by hand. Never, ever again.
Back 30 years ago or so, I got my first atv, and trailer, went hunting with a buddy, had the atv at the very back of the trailer, other stuff in front of it. We were going west on 64/70, going fast down a long downhill, all of a sudden the "death wobble" started, to this day I don't know how i was able to get control of it, and get slowed down and stopped. It scared the living you know what out of me. That's a great video, and very true, hope someone learns something from it, because it came close to killing me one night !
Awesome demo, very cleverly done. Have had the Gravely mower scoot towards the back of the trailer and experienced a less extreme version of this, but it was worrisome enough. Pulled over and sorted it ASAP. Also, a (properly loaded) trailer can help stabilize the vehicle, like when one might lose traction in a turn, the trailer will keep you from going sideways when otherwise you might have.
Great video. I just did my first long haul trailer with about 3500lbs. It went well, I learned a lot. Many tips from my dad as he has lots of experience.
A clueless driver playing with her cellular phone while applying makeup and eating a Big Mac, while trying to sip extra hot coffee and update a social media picture might run into your trailer.
@@johnbearden8964 No, I can not list the males as applying make up, except during the airing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Although, I think some men are starting to wear manliner or something like that. Men can play with their phones update stupid social status and the such. But very few apply makeup. By the way, is there a sequel to the Rocky Horror Picture Show in the works? Time to get my leggings, heals, lipstick and corset and apply them while driving to be the exception.
Learning this and other towing tips should be mandatory for anyone towing vans and campers. Too many people drive a sedan in the city's all their lives and are then let loose on public roads in a rig weighing 4tonnes plus. Some form of testing needs to be introduced on purchase of heavier trailers.
Thanks to this video and learning about safe towing. I noticed the signs of a trailer losing control Infront of me on the highway and I could stop in time. It started swaying then slapping left and right off the truck, came off the ball and broke the safety chain then shot across the highway into the median ditch.
I learned this the bad way when I put 10,000 LBS to far back on my trailer. Actually i had put the heaviest things to far back oppose to puting them over the axles , im glad i found this channel lol
True happened to me. A friend wanted me to haul his tractor with backhoe. We’re going down I-44 at 55mph that trailer started weaving and damn near spun us around. We got to the next exit and turned the tractor around with the backhoe towards the truck and the rest of the trip was fine. That was 10+ years ago but it was something I’ll never forget.
It's interesting to see that you went between the two extremes. My gut feeling is that the optimal position is for the load to be balanced in the centre of the trailer. With it too far forwards, it would be taking pressure off the front wheels, which could lead to umdersteer. Do you agree? What do you think?
depends on the truck and the load. for example with my truck i tow a trailer with a skid all the way forward with no understeer. some other trucks yep massive understeer. the way i see it if you develop such an issue either the load is too heavy or the truck is too weak. even all the way forward much of the weight is still supported by the trailer suspension. because weight can shift depending on the terrain and driving conditions its best to maintain a forward bias load. this guy knows ruclips.net/video/MWAUg_5fAnE/видео.html
Great video. Love my Weigh Safe! Knowing my tongue weight is correct gives me peace of mind when I headed down the highway. Then I sit back and watch the improperly loaded rigs swaying as they travel down the road.
This is an awesome video. Perfectly shows what’s about to happen. Oh my golly, I came upon a pickup n trailer that was fishtailing so bad that it was about to roll. I had even grabbed my phone to call 911. But somehow the dude got it slowed down and made it to the side. The trailer had a bunch of random garage stuff on the front and a full up Jeep on the back. You know the guy hooked it up to the truck first and loaded all the stuff and then drove the Jeep up there last. Tongue weight? What’s that? After it all came to a stop there in front of me I’m quite certain the guy realized he had soiled his britches. Hell, just watching the thing about to flip right there, I almost soiled mine.
Nope... always load slightly tongue heavy. The only reason to load equally over the axle is if you are trying to tow something that's too heavy for your vehicle
All the snarky comments, Jeez! You easily and simply showed the physics with a clever set up. People who make fun of this don't tow, or they'd likely ball up their rigs someday. I tow and know my trailer and tongue weights, stable as hell when dialed in. Of course a capable tow vehicle (wheelbase, weight, power, brakes) is a prerequisite before even considering this variable. Thanks for the demo!
I think most trailer registered people should be made to do some type of trailer safety course. Anybody can license then but do people really know the weight restrictions......its for your safety and your family's and mine!!!!
He seems to poke it harder when the car is at the back end, than when the car is on the forward part of the trailer. This is an accurate description of what to do and what not to do when loading your trailer. I just had to point that out. 😁
Yeah exactly my thought. There are better videos showing this and there are more factors that come into play. The trucks weight pulling, double or single axel, trailer stabilizer
Center your load over the trailer axle(s) and it will track nice and easy, right behind you. Hitch weight should actually be neutral whenever possible, i.e. centered on trailer axle(s). I've loaded literally thousands of trailers, all sizes.
One time I actually witnessed a crash that looked like the example in the the video and spun out to the side of the highway in snow. Nothing bad happened just spun out and nobody was seriously injured
the video didn't even show the "too much tongue weight" scenario. which leads to the same results. It almost makes it seem like its OK to have the object that far forward! hint: It's Not Post a complete and proper video if you want to educate people!
shawn malott true but you would have to have so much weight in the front of the trailer it would flatten the tires but I guess that could also depend on the trailer and I guess some people dont know what the hell they are doing, me I'm a welder and I build and design them
Off Grid Unhinged your correct, what Causes sway is having an uneven load and or having too much weight in the back of your trailer , I know I build trailers for a hobby and no they are built correctly no half assing around at my shop !!!!!!
Another thing that can cause alot of the sway, even on a properly loaded trailer and within the weight limits, is trailer wheel alignment. Found out that one of the auto trailers from u-haul had a bad alignment. I didnt know it at first cause I had to tow my wifes car twice. First time I prefered the full trailer instead of just the front wheels. So I loaded her car up and towed it. I had sway big time. Kept it way under speed(max is 55), was goin 40 on the freeway to keep it from wanting to sway me out. Thought it was the highway, somethin about the trailer, or how I loaded it. So I left it at that. Months later I had to tow her car again, this time I tried the front wheel pull...didnt really want to, but gave it a chance. Loaded up her car and towed it. This time I was able to go 55 and was smooth as butter. So I talked to the Uhaul guys about it. They tracked down the trailer after a few days and had those guys check over the trailer for any mechanical issues. My suspicions were right. One of the axels was out of place, enough to cause sway under load. But they were stumped on why no one reported it. But they were glad I brought it up. I should of reported it to them just in case, but I did feel that maybe it was cause of what I did, not the trailer. Whoever else rented it may of felt the same way. Btw, her car was a 2014 Chevy Spark. First tow was due to a blown heater hose. 2nd time was due engine power issues. My truck I towed it on is a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder with 5k tow bar. Had a little squatting in the back when the first trailer was loaded, but I also had my tools with me. 2nd time I also had my tools, but due to it being a front wheel tow trailer, it didnt put much weight down on the tongue, however...I did have some squatting once the car was loaded. I still have yet to replace my rear springs, only replaced my shocks since the originals were blown. Replacement was done years before both of these tows.
I am a firm believer that you should be required to have an endorsement on your license to pull a trailer. And videos like this should be part of the training process.
A young woman passed away near us due to an accident from this, she was pulling a mower loaded to far back and it caused the truck to get out of control and she went off the road, I think it made a lot of people in our area more aware of the danger
For a bicycle trailer, it's best to try to position the weight directly over the axle/wheels, essentially zero tongue weight. It's a wonderful feeling to hear the rattling of the tow arm at the hitch on a perfectly balanced load.
They have a f150 with a 30' travel trailer and put all their coolers, food and luggage in the rear bedroom to reduce tongue weight so they can pull it without damaging the truck?
Whenever I watch this type of experiment in a RUclips video, I can't help but wonder if the fact that the tow vehicle is not actually pulling the trailer (as the ground appears to be just moving below), are we missing any critical information relative to the physics of the actual "towing" portion of the equation? There would seem to be, at least, some level of stability coming from the pull of the front vehicle. Perhaps like pulling the wrinkles out of a sheet when making your bed? I am happy to be educated as I am not a physicist...but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
This demonstration is 100% accurate as far as how the trailer and vehicle react when loaded to light on the tongue. When you're light on the tongue the towing force of the tow vehicle is minimized because the trailer isn't riding on the tow vehicle so whatever direction the trailer wheels want to go they can and will dragging the tow vehicle. Basically when proper tongue weight is given the rear axle of the vehicle acts as the front wheels of the trailer as if your two vehicles were acting as one.
The thing that this doesn't account for is the driver attempting to overcorrect the sway. Also, the truck is attached to fixed point in the road with short rope so its side to side movement is severely limited.
@@ryanv3751 you're right it can't simulate the driver corrections, not that there's much a driver can do in that situation except make it worse. I'd say it still had plenty of movement the front of the truck was traveling a good foot side to side. Obviously this simulation doesn't show every detail to perfection but how the trailer reacts is spot on.
This is a simplistic demonstration of the relation between trailer sway and tongue weight and is mostly accurate. What is missing is the type of vehicle towing and the type of trailer. An F350 dually towing a 3K lb. ski boat will not sway under any circumstances short of a Cat5 hurricane (tongue weight-who cares?) A Ford Ranger towing a 34ft Airstream (10-15% tongue weight) could easily sway if passed by a semi on a breezy day. Think of it in terms "can that tail wag the dog?" I would love to see this demo done with a sway elimination hitch similar to a Hensley or Propride.
You are incorrect. The trailer is attached to the back end of the truck. If you were to pull that screw from the back end of the truck the trailer would not stay in the place it... it would drift backwards down the road. This is identical to towing a trailer down the road there is no drive force in the trailer, it is attached to the truck.
I'm more amazed that this person found a real life, practical use for a treadmill.
If a big ass finger comes and pokes my trailer whem I'm driving, were gonna have a serious talk!!
I think the guy upstairs usually uses lightning. ;-)
God: Teehee! *poke*
Whatever you do, don’t smell the finger!
@Brown Man proof ??!
@Brown Man no thx, l play exclusively with pussys (for decades)!!!!
You'd be surprised at how many people don't know this.
This is why boat trailers have the axle offset because the majority of the weight is at the rear of the boat. Like the engine and outdrive
@@paulsosa1872 but beers are at the front of the boat? So it should even out the weight balance point to 50/50?🤔
I'm not surprised, as I didn't know it xD
Most people don't have even a basic understanding of the forces involved. It's not at all surprising that most people don't know this.
@@0hjaa3.06 You have to keep the beer stocked for the trip to go back home.
One of the best practical Illustrations I've seen in quite a while....Well Done Sir.....Well Done Indeed❗
The video is a bit misleading but saves itself with the 10% to 15% rule of thumb statement. Here's a video the closely mimics weight distributions and ratio's and the likely outcome, including placing the weight too far forward as illustrated above. The above video was saved by the fact the the wheels of the trailer were centerline of the trailer and not positioned in the back one third-portion of the trailer. video - ruclips.net/video/JeEEC5eVNCk/видео.html
Sexy! Sun shine girls are not in play anymore! Ummmmm anyway! Must be a hard one! I heard the geeee bit again! Glad I know!
Misleading alright and plain dangerous! Oh ya cool swaps online! I think it was the other video looking very simular to this one and suspect!
That ATV was not properly secured.
You mean UTV...
AKBuilder762 UTV
Storm - it’s not a utility vehicle, xp. It’s an all terrain vehicle. That doesn’t just mean four wheelers
And he had no chains smh
DOT gonna have a fit
I tried this project at my gym and got kicked out.
Lol
Lmao
Playing with toy cars on the treadmill?
Because you put the golf cart thingy in the back of the trailer
xd
Seriously simple and direct demonstration. Learning CG as a pilot taught me a whole lot about proper weight distribution.
Anyone who rents a uhaul trailer should be forced to watch this!
The public would appreciate it.
Larry
This should be a video at uhaul and you can't rent until you watch.
That’s why they use such a long tongue on their trailers. Helps offset the poorly distributed load.
@@Treyk901 all uhaul trailers ive seen no more then 4 to 5ft from trailers thats not long
Not even kidding some guy in a lifted truck had a U-haul trailer with a hitch that was not even close to low enough to keep all the wheels on the ground. He slowed down to cross a bridge so fast I ended up next to him. His trailer ended up right in front of my car, and automatic braking saved my life. People need to know this stuff!
This video is totally wrong and does not apply to trailers weighing over One Ton/1000kgs
I got a chance to witness this on a highway. We were following a truck towing a recreational trailer with a mild cross wind. His trailer started to swing back and forth, ultimately ending with truck and trailer in the ditch. The harmonic swinging kept getting more violent, and he didn't stop soon enough. Everybody was OK and nothing flipped, but it was a life lesson.
Best demonstration of tongue weight distributions ever so awesome
This is a really good representation. I've seen trailers start swaying on the highway and it's not a pretty sight. Good job thanks for making this video.
Too many people think that by accelerating you can correct a sway. It will certainly stop the sway when the car is upside down!
@@ronnieg6358 So long as you can keep accelerating forever you're good!
I was riding in a 1500 pulling like 30 squares in a dump trailer, that bitch started wagging hard and there was a point where I was looking at the white lines on the road above the fucking side view mirror. It's amazing the truck didn't go over. Clean the pants, move some bundles and hope for the best...
If you ever see a roofer puling a trailer, stay way back.
Now this is science! Not some guy talking on a camera! Also try the wheeler in the center of the trailer please!
I load machines onto trailers just to the point trailer tips toward the truck. This adds the right weight on the tongue
Working with plastic models here they had to add weight to the side-by-side to accurately show the physics of it, which they put in the back as the 2 cylinders, which in the safe position are directly over the axle (with the small percentage over the tongue obviously), so although it isn't visually correct, the physics behind it is for one loaded in the middle/slightly forward of the axle.
Wheeler in the center wouldn't be properly weighted because of the engine. The engine is over the trailer wheels in the proper position
I just started driving with a trailer, and I found this very helpful. Also, IF your trailer starts fish-tailing, SLOW DOWN!
Slow down, yes. Brake, no.
Hell no speed up be a man
I understood the best thing to do is to apply trailer brakes manually a little and then slow down. Readjust weight if necessary but drive slower.
This makes so much sense i've never really analyzed it before.
The forward weight pushes down on the hitch thus giving the back wheels more pressure and in turn more friction on the ground making the vehicle more stable.
The weight on the far back makes the wheels act as a lever causing the hitch go up. The back wheels of the truck are now being lifted to make weaker contact with the ground making less traction which is just a recipe for disaster.
Thanks for making this video
I think it's more about the weight on the back of the trailer is acting as a lever with the trailer wheels sideways, magnifying any small sideways movement until you're fishtailing.
Thanks for summing this up the way you did❤
Great demonstration. Straight, simple and to the point. I can say I learned from this. Thank you.
Thanks, glad we can help!!
@@weighsafe can you do one with a 5th weeler
I want this to go viral so more people understand.
What most people don't understand, is why the poorly loaded trailer is unstable. Its actually very complex, but it involves resonance. The truck and trailer become a dynamic spring mass system. The forward speed effects the frequency of excitation in the system. With the mass closer to the pivot point ( the trailer hitch), the polar moment of inertia is reduced and the system becomes more unstable. As the mass is moved further away, ( to the back of the trailer), the polar moment of inertia is increased and the system is more resistant to dynamic changes in direction and thus becomes more stable. Placing the load over the trailer axle is good for load capacity, but not the best option for dynamic stability. This video highlights the two extreme positions for the load, not necessarily the ideal placement for every situation.
The model is plastic with weight added into the back of it to show the physics in the form of those 2 cylinders which are over the axle in the forward position, so that's not the forward extreme. To show the forward extreme this model would need to have the back of it over the front of the trailer.
I didn't notice the weight they added over the rear axle of the UTV, but to your point, the forward extreme would be if the UTV was loaded at the front of the trailer, but facing the rear. (I think this is what you meant.)
@@danielcolwell1477 Yes. Facing the rear is what I meant. :)
Good little demo. I’ve had the misfortune of trying to pull a trailer with a large roof top air conditioner loaded to far back of the axle. The trailer ended up driving the truck. Once it starts to wag it get really crazy fast. Get it loaded right or pay the price.
Years ago boss sent me to pick up some pilings for a job. We loaded 40' pilings on a 16' trailer.....imaging the sway we had! Anything over 20 mph was scary as hell! I was only 20 at the time and didn't know jack....learned real fast that properly loading a trailer make a BIG difference.
Ok I just have to compliment this excellent demonstration/safety video. All stuff I knew but what an easy way to make it visual for others to learn from.
Thanks Derick!!
If you look closely you will see that this is a toy not a real car and trailer
Ooof
That's why that man is so big, thanks for telling, i never notice.
Its not true! That man just has God like size hands and body and moved that real trailer on a real large belt! I am not on the denial 🚆 on this one! 😖
Thanks for clarifying that. I was losing my shit for a minute here.
yeah and the road is overtaking the combo
Very good demo.
I just recently bought a boat. This really helped
Great demo, everyone that has to haul a trailer should be made to watch this video. Seen far to many accidents that could have been prevented.
Okay hands-down the best video ever explaining tongue weight!!!! This is awesome
Thank you ! We appreciate it!
Great visual explication!!! Simple but very effective without all the bloviating by the narrator
i would just play with vehicles on this thing all day😂
SAme
Check out tread mill car racing
where are my tonka trucks???
I think you just gave me a project idea.
I would be all for putting animals and stuff on the treadmill and have them pull the trailers--you know, for science.
Thanks made sense. Never had to tow anything before and the one time I did I went 4 lanes over to the left. Thank god no one was there
Finally- An actual thing I can use my treadmill for.
I love this video, i recently went with my dad to sell a trailer to a refugee who fled from Ukraine. He had some trouble understanding me and my dad when we talked about trailer wagging, he probably understood about 75% of what we talked about,so i pulled this video up after looking up "Trailer wagging" , and he understood immediately 😂
Fantastic video that quickly shows how dangerous it can be if you load your trailer wrong
Had a new kid pickup 2 orders [small trees I believe], put the 1st order all in the back of the trailer, 2nd order wasn't ready, so he delivered the 1st order.
Went in the ditch a mile down the road from just what was shown on the video
I never gave towing much thought because my boat trailers were already set up for it. When i got an enclosed trailer and loaded it with motocycles BEHIND the axle, these exact oscillations began and so did my search to find out why. Thanks for the quick demonstration!
Finally somebody used a treadmill other than hanging clothes on it
Like my bowflex...the spiders are getting huge!
First it was a Nordic track. And then it was a treadmill. The treadmill worked way better for hanging clothes on. Now I’m thinking about a total gym. Not conducive for hanging clothes on at all👍🏻
This dangerous situation is so very simple shown here.
This video should be mandatory in driving lessons. Could easily save lives!
I hope many will learn from it.
Thank you for showing the tow vehicle as being a Ford F-150 crew cab 4x4. A Chevrolet would have broken down midway through the video, or rusted out during the test.
Yeah....they say 97% of fords are still on the road today.
The other 3% made it home.
Bahaha
The reason they didnt show a Ram was it wouldnt be bothered by the load anyway
@@TacoTacoTacocat The Ram would have a bed big enough to just throw the ATV in the bed and still have a crew cab and still pull a full trailer of lead.
😂😂😂😂
Great Demo! Really good information. This video should be mandatory for roofers. They attach a 5 ton trailer on a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton pickup. While removing shingles on a job they load the entire load on the tail of the trailer. I saw one individual do this two days in a row. As he was going down the road the first day he got to swaying so bad he was back and forth across 4 lanes, he did manage to regain control. The next day he did the same thing. That time he managed to not only wreck, but turn both the pickup and trailer over. Fortunately no injuries, but shut down the interstate for two or three hours.
I did some work when I was a kid in Florida not long after some hurricanes. They relax the permitting requirements big time and people pile in from all across the country.
I was riding in a 1500 pulling a dump trailer with ~30 squares of the heavy high year shit since we couldn't afford or wait on someone to come put them on the roof. The trailer started wagging, and for a few cycles I was staring at white lines in the road over the side view mirrors. Somehow it didn't go over, didn't even lose a tire, managed to not tag anyone on i95. We moved shingles around and then went to carry all those fuckers onto the roof by hand.
Never, ever again.
Awesome straight to the point .. I knew about some of this where to put the weight on a trailer but this video breaks it down very easily
Back 30 years ago or so, I got my first atv, and trailer, went hunting with a buddy, had the atv at the very back of the trailer, other stuff in front of it. We were going west on 64/70, going fast down a long downhill, all of a sudden the "death wobble" started, to this day I don't know how i was able to get control of it, and get slowed down and stopped. It scared the living you know what out of me. That's a great video, and very true, hope someone learns something from it, because it came close to killing me one night !
Awesome demo, very cleverly done. Have had the Gravely mower scoot towards the back of the trailer and experienced a less extreme version of this, but it was worrisome enough. Pulled over and sorted it ASAP. Also, a (properly loaded) trailer can help stabilize the vehicle, like when one might lose traction in a turn, the trailer will keep you from going sideways when otherwise you might have.
Great video. I just did my first long haul trailer with about 3500lbs. It went well, I learned a lot. Many tips from my dad as he has lots of experience.
No words needed! Good job.
After listening to the music, I have an overwhelming desire for ice cream😜🤣
I told the uploader to stick by the music up his arse. When he pulls it out, maybe you can try it
@@1st_ProCactus you gross
That is the best practical and viewable example I've ever seen. Excellent presentation.
This shows the safety that we need to know
Best demonstration I’ve seen to use a fifth wheel style trailer!
Nah. I’ll be fine as long as God doesn’t poke my trailer with his finger.
A clueless driver playing with her cellular phone while applying makeup and eating a Big Mac, while trying to sip extra hot coffee and update a social media picture might run into your trailer.
@@indridcold8433 I see you automatically labeled a female as the would be bad driver.
@@johnbearden8964 No, I can not list the males as applying make up, except during the airing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Although, I think some men are starting to wear manliner or something like that. Men can play with their phones update stupid social status and the such. But very few apply makeup. By the way, is there a sequel to the Rocky Horror Picture Show in the works? Time to get my leggings, heals, lipstick and corset and apply them while driving to be the exception.
it literally takes a light turn or wind to get it swaying
@@destinhook3826 when you start swaying you better start praying
Learning this and other towing tips should be mandatory for anyone towing vans and campers. Too many people drive a sedan in the city's all their lives and are then let loose on public roads in a rig weighing 4tonnes plus. Some form of testing needs to be introduced on purchase of heavier trailers.
It's kind of intuitive but it really helps to see it visualized like that. Great job ! Have a like !
Thanks to this video and learning about safe towing. I noticed the signs of a trailer losing control Infront of me on the highway and I could stop in time. It started swaying then slapping left and right off the truck, came off the ball and broke the safety chain then shot across the highway into the median ditch.
Thank you for sharing this. We hope that everyone is okay!
I learned this the bad way when I put 10,000 LBS to far back on my trailer. Actually i had put the heaviest things to far back oppose to puting them over the axles , im glad i found this channel lol
True happened to me. A friend wanted me to haul his tractor with backhoe. We’re going down I-44 at 55mph that trailer started weaving and damn near spun us around. We got to the next exit and turned the tractor around with the backhoe towards the truck and the rest of the trip was fine. That was 10+ years ago but it was something I’ll never forget.
It's interesting to see that you went between the two extremes. My gut feeling is that the optimal position is for the load to be balanced in the centre of the trailer. With it too far forwards, it would be taking pressure off the front wheels, which could lead to umdersteer. Do you agree? What do you think?
You are right, the full experiment shows center over the axle is safest.
depends on the truck and the load. for example with my truck i tow a trailer with a skid all the way forward with no understeer. some other trucks yep massive understeer. the way i see it if you develop such an issue either the load is too heavy or the truck is too weak. even all the way forward much of the weight is still supported by the trailer suspension. because weight can shift depending on the terrain and driving conditions its best to maintain a forward bias load. this guy knows ruclips.net/video/MWAUg_5fAnE/видео.html
Great video. Love my Weigh Safe! Knowing my tongue weight is correct gives me peace of mind when I headed down the highway. Then I sit back and watch the improperly loaded rigs swaying as they travel down the road.
This is an awesome video. Perfectly shows what’s about to happen. Oh my golly, I came upon a pickup n trailer that was fishtailing so bad that it was about to roll. I had even grabbed my phone to call 911. But somehow the dude got it slowed down and made it to the side. The trailer had a bunch of random garage stuff on the front and a full up Jeep on the back. You know the guy hooked it up to the truck first and loaded all the stuff and then drove the Jeep up there last. Tongue weight? What’s that? After it all came to a stop there in front of me I’m quite certain the guy realized he had soiled his britches. Hell, just watching the thing about to flip right there, I almost soiled mine.
And I'm sure he never understood why that happened.
wow ,a video thats say exactly what it is and delivers and actually give some information.
I always was told to keep the weight centered over the trailer axle, not in front or behind.
Nope... always load slightly tongue heavy. The only reason to load equally over the axle is if you are trying to tow something that's too heavy for your vehicle
A properly loaded trailer has 10-15% of the GTW on the tongue.
You should be a science teacher, nice demo love it . Should be a public safety film too all over the world
If I had one of these
I’d be having too much fun playing all day
you guys are literally saving lives with this video
Patrick: "AND HERE COMES A GIANT FIST"
I love the education and entertainment level of these videos
What year is that f150. Mine doesnt have a huge moon roof like that. I love it.
They cut the roof off
All you need is a sawzaw
I think it's a 2013, but I doubt the giant sunroof was an option on the real one.
@@michaelramsey82 The new King Ranches, Platinums, etc..have this big of a sun/moon roof now.
@@laneblount9888 sawzALL!!!
All the snarky comments, Jeez! You easily and simply showed the physics with a clever set up. People who make fun of this don't tow, or they'd likely ball up their rigs someday. I tow and know my trailer and tongue weights, stable as hell when dialed in. Of course a capable tow vehicle (wheelbase, weight, power, brakes) is a prerequisite before even considering this variable. Thanks for the demo!
Thank you for educating me.
Great demonstration and the music has you tapping along! Thank you.
We are happy to hear that and appreciate your comment! 🙌
The wife wants her treadmill back. Great video, I like it.
Why? Does she have a load of laundry to hang?
Awesome video. Very educational and very fun to watch.
I would just play this game for hours. It looked fun.
There are a bunch of snide comments below, but this is an excellent way to demonstrate the effect of improper loading.
I think most trailer registered people should be made to do some type of trailer safety course. Anybody can license then but do people really know the weight restrictions......its for your safety and your family's and mine!!!!
At least make them watch this .
He seems to poke it harder when the car is at the back end, than when the car is on the forward part of the trailer.
This is an accurate description of what to do and what not to do when loading your trailer. I just had to point that out. 😁
This was actually very interesting.
SLIGHTLY forward of the axle is the optimum.
Too much forward is also detrimental to stability.
Shame the vid didn’t show that
Yeah exactly my thought. There are better videos showing this and there are more factors that come into play. The trucks weight pulling, double or single axel, trailer stabilizer
Center your load over the trailer axle(s) and it will track nice and easy, right behind you. Hitch weight should actually be neutral whenever possible, i.e. centered on trailer axle(s). I've loaded literally thousands of trailers, all sizes.
No... just no....
safety margins are there for a reason.
Wow what a nice demonstration. I will share this one for sure. Well done.
The occupants in the little truck are like...”WTH... who forgot to strap down the razor?”
Very smart video....Easy way to demonstrate the danger
FYI - the DOT recommends 10-15% of trailer weight in the hitch.
that's exactly what they recommend in this video
I pull every other week and ,thank you mate ,didn’t realize untill I saw this video the importance of the load dispersement
Hey buddy we dont need to know about your sex life
That’s so cool how you used a model truck and trailer for that demonstration
.. couldn’t find a treadmill big enough to accommodate a full size truck maybe … ?
I wished everyone would watch this, I see this regularly
One time I actually witnessed a crash that looked like the example in the the video and spun out to the side of the highway in snow.
Nothing bad happened just spun out and nobody was seriously injured
Best demonstration of this I have ever seen,
the video didn't even show the "too much tongue weight" scenario. which leads to the same results.
It almost makes it seem like its OK to have the object that far forward!
hint: It's Not
Post a complete and proper video if you want to educate people!
shawn malott true but you would have to have so much weight in the front of the trailer it would flatten the tires but I guess that could also depend on the trailer and I guess some people dont know what the hell they are doing, me I'm a welder and I build and design them
Did you miss the statement where it says you want 10-15% of the trailers weight on the ball, or did you gloss over it. It's a simple demo, geez.
acdii no I saw it thanks
acdii I usely have more then that over the tounge but hey whatever works for you, iv done it my way for over 40 years and still no issues
Off Grid Unhinged your correct, what Causes sway is having an uneven load and or having too much weight in the back of your trailer , I know I build trailers for a hobby and no they are built correctly no half assing around at my shop !!!!!!
Another thing that can cause alot of the sway, even on a properly loaded trailer and within the weight limits, is trailer wheel alignment. Found out that one of the auto trailers from u-haul had a bad alignment. I didnt know it at first cause I had to tow my wifes car twice.
First time I prefered the full trailer instead of just the front wheels. So I loaded her car up and towed it. I had sway big time. Kept it way under speed(max is 55), was goin 40 on the freeway to keep it from wanting to sway me out. Thought it was the highway, somethin about the trailer, or how I loaded it. So I left it at that.
Months later I had to tow her car again, this time I tried the front wheel pull...didnt really want to, but gave it a chance. Loaded up her car and towed it. This time I was able to go 55 and was smooth as butter.
So I talked to the Uhaul guys about it. They tracked down the trailer after a few days and had those guys check over the trailer for any mechanical issues. My suspicions were right. One of the axels was out of place, enough to cause sway under load. But they were stumped on why no one reported it. But they were glad I brought it up.
I should of reported it to them just in case, but I did feel that maybe it was cause of what I did, not the trailer. Whoever else rented it may of felt the same way.
Btw, her car was a 2014 Chevy Spark. First tow was due to a blown heater hose. 2nd time was due engine power issues. My truck I towed it on is a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder with 5k tow bar. Had a little squatting in the back when the first trailer was loaded, but I also had my tools with me.
2nd time I also had my tools, but due to it being a front wheel tow trailer, it didnt put much weight down on the tongue, however...I did have some squatting once the car was loaded. I still have yet to replace my rear springs, only replaced my shocks since the originals were blown. Replacement was done years before both of these tows.
Ah yes the tongue weight safety distribution, the thing everybody was waiting for. It finally came you guys.
That ford with a tow line makes this one of the most one of the most realistic demonstrations ever.
That is a great vid
Well done
I love this demo.... I haven't towed anything yet, but this is great...
I am a firm believer that you should be required to have an endorsement on your license to pull a trailer. And videos like this should be part of the training process.
A young woman passed away near us due to an accident from this, she was pulling a mower loaded to far back and it caused the truck to get out of control and she went off the road, I think it made a lot of people in our area more aware of the danger
Why not demonstrate with the load over the axle?
For a bicycle trailer, it's best to try to position the weight directly over the axle/wheels, essentially zero tongue weight. It's a wonderful feeling to hear the rattling of the tow arm at the hitch on a perfectly balanced load.
When it stops rattling, look in your mirror....
My girlfriend says that my tongue weight is perfect.
Very interesting and informative in the most fun and literal way possible. 👍🏻👍🏻
Why the HELL would someone DISLIKE THIS???
They have a f150 with a 30' travel trailer and put all their coolers, food and luggage in the rear bedroom to reduce tongue weight so they can pull it without damaging the truck?
Perfect! Exactly what I needed, thanks!!!
moral of the video: Your trailer is fine as long as a big finger doesnt poke it.
Wow! What a cool way to demonstrate tongue weight
Whenever I watch this type of experiment in a RUclips video, I can't help but wonder if the fact that the tow vehicle is not actually pulling the trailer (as the ground appears to be just moving below), are we missing any critical information relative to the physics of the actual "towing" portion of the equation? There would seem to be, at least, some level of stability coming from the pull of the front vehicle. Perhaps like pulling the wrinkles out of a sheet when making your bed? I am happy to be educated as I am not a physicist...but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
This demonstration is 100% accurate as far as how the trailer and vehicle react when loaded to light on the tongue. When you're light on the tongue the towing force of the tow vehicle is minimized because the trailer isn't riding on the tow vehicle so whatever direction the trailer wheels want to go they can and will dragging the tow vehicle. Basically when proper tongue weight is given the rear axle of the vehicle acts as the front wheels of the trailer as if your two vehicles were acting as one.
The thing that this doesn't account for is the driver attempting to overcorrect the sway. Also, the truck is attached to fixed point in the road with short rope so its side to side movement is severely limited.
@@ryanv3751 you're right it can't simulate the driver corrections, not that there's much a driver can do in that situation except make it worse. I'd say it still had plenty of movement the front of the truck was traveling a good foot side to side. Obviously this simulation doesn't show every detail to perfection but how the trailer reacts is spot on.
This is a simplistic demonstration of the relation between trailer sway and tongue weight and is mostly accurate. What is missing is the type of vehicle towing and the type of trailer. An F350 dually towing a 3K lb. ski boat will not sway under any circumstances short of a Cat5 hurricane (tongue weight-who cares?) A Ford Ranger towing a 34ft Airstream (10-15% tongue weight) could easily sway if passed by a semi on a breezy day. Think of it in terms "can that tail wag the dog?" I would love to see this demo done with a sway elimination hitch similar to a Hensley or Propride.
You are incorrect. The trailer is attached to the back end of the truck. If you were to pull that screw from the back end of the truck the trailer would not stay in the place it... it would drift backwards down the road. This is identical to towing a trailer down the road there is no drive force in the trailer, it is attached to the truck.
What a great demonstration of vehicle abilities using models!
Do this while holding a cell phone and a Big Mac.
He'll just take of his shoes and use his toes to poke your truck
Great video! Everyone should have to see this and be able to explain it before towing something.