[VAC] Re: tow vehicle

["Kimm Flatt" <a-kimmfl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Try, too rearward, of a center of gravity, for the trailer.

The term is ground looping.  And the others have it right.  Lets see if
this explanation can help.  When dropping a bomb, or throwing a dart,
the weight is in the front.  If the weight is in the rear, Or the center
of gravity is rearward, then it (the moving item) will try to come
around, to be in the front.

So, by having too much weight rearward of the trailer axles, it tries to
come around, causing the sway.  Most people will translate this into
hitch weight.  BUT...  just by adding weight to the hitch won't always
work.  IT has to do with location and distribution.  For instance, you
can lessen your hitch weight by moving some of the forward weight
rearwards, towards the trailer axles, but not behind the axles.  BUT,
you really need to move weight from behind the axles, forward; thereby
also increasing the hitch weight, like a see-saw.  The general rule for
loading utility trailers is 60% weight in front of the axles, 40%
towards the rear.  But keeping in mind, the least amount of weight
distributed at the ends.  Just because the tongue weight is correct,
doesn't mean the center of gravity, is in the right place, a location
just in front of the axles.

My factory manual shows for a '98 1/2 ton 2 wheel drive burb, with the
5.7L (350ci) with rear gears of 3.42, a Max trailer weight of 5,500 lbs
and max tongue 700 lbs.  With the 3.73 gears, max trailer 6,500 and max
tongue 800 lbs.  I suspect yours will be close.

You may want to load up the trailer, and (slowly) find the nearest truck
stop, and weight the trailer.