Trailer balancing

Supposed to be 10% of the total trailer weight rests on the tongue. if the trailer weighs a 1000, then a scale placed under the hitch should read 100. The farther you get from this %, especially less tongue weight, the more likely the trailer will swing back and forth and cause flippage. Fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers are different.

So too little tongue weight is what causes a trailer to do the death wiggle?

Definitely will have wiggle problems with too little tongue weight. As a rule, use the tongue weight method posted above or the 60/40 rule. 60% of weight infront of the axle. Double axle trailers pull much better and aren't quite as picky about exact weight distribution.

Quick tip on loading trailers

Here's a simple trick that I have used for years in lieu of pulling out the bathroom scales. Measure the height of the bumper before you attach the trailer. Then measure it after you install the trailer. I like about 1.5" to 2" drop. Less than that and you will have the unbearable wiggle. Much more and you are squatted with headlights shining in the trees.

I have a 5x10 single axle enclosed trailer as well as 6x16 tandem open trailers and this method has served me for over a decade and trailering both bikes and work equipment all over the country. The week before Christmas was a 2500-mile round trip to Minnesota with the 5x10. No problem.

As a safety note, if you use the "boat trailer" style hitch, make sure it is adjusted correctly to "grab" the hitch ball. I had one of these come off while in traffic a few years back. That was a three-rail open bike trailer that didn't weigh much. The chains caught it but it was flinging my XR from side to side. Man, cars were backing off and giving me lots of room. I pulled over, adjusted the hitch, changed my underwear and headed on home. Never did quite get that pucker out of the driver's seat, though.

Todd
Monroe, LA
'95 DR 435
'87 XR 250
'96 XR 200
'90 XR 100
'90 Kawa 300 4x4 ***
'93 Suz 230 ***