The trailer will state the maximum weight it can carry and we do tend to put heavier items in there (huge tent, 3-way fridge etc.) because it is easier to get them in and out.
When loading the trailer itself, put heavier items over the axle if possible and go for a balanced load that biases the front down but not heavily. Too much to the back will obviously make the trailer tip backwards when not hitched, but you also want to avoid too much 'nose weight'. Caravan-towers generally use a nose weight device to make sure they have got the balance right, but with a small to medium trailer you can generally use 'feel' to assess the distribution when you lift the hitch in your hand.
We try not to fill up the back seats because of the kids and use the boot for stuff like food and clothes. Also, we tend to leave the heavy gear stored in the trailer between trips so this should also be a consideration.
------------- Please do not adjust your mind... there is a fault in reality
Just one other thing, remember the braking capability of your car will be greatly reduced so increase the braking distance between vehicles and brake a lot earlier.
my car has a mam of 3 tonnes, so would it be better to put heavy stuff in there? it will all be low enough not to shunt forward incase of an accident. the back row of seats fold up on them selves so can be over the back wheels too?
thanks and sorry if i sound a bit dim!! (trailer was bought second hand so i dont have any details..i think its a home made jobby)
------------- tina xx
mum to 5 kids
DD-20
DS-16
DD-14
DD-9
DS-3 and a half!
and a large, daft, black dog!!
We used to pack as much as we could in the trailer and always found we didnt have enough room, also on packing up after a trip we always needed the tent in first (largest peice of kit) which was a gigantic pain in the rear so we switched to putting the tent, canopy and footprint in the boot with the coolbox and clothes now we have more room than we know what to do with lol (but always good for more beer) so I guess what im saying is really its trial and error there is no wrong or right way just your way. Have a practice run before you go to get a good idea of what you can and cant take as you always think you have tonnes of room truth is the more room us ladies think we have the more luxurys we want to take
As for the car having a mam of 3 tonnes you need to check unladen weight in your car manual then subract this from your car total laiden weight that tells you the max your car can pull. I know our trailer doesnt carry as much as the laiden less unlaiden weight.
Here is a guide but its for caravans but may help you a little if not im sure there was a post on here about towing weights before
Trial and error, but also a huge helping of common sense and you won't go wrong. Loading your car is one thing, but an un-braked trailer relies on your car brakes to stop as well, so don't forget it all adds up!
------------- Please do not adjust your mind... there is a fault in reality