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7.1. C HECKING THE
TONGUE WEIGHT
1"ocheck the tongue weight, the tow vehicle and trailer must be on level glound, as
they will be when the trailer is being towed
If you know the weight on your tow vehicle axles when you are not towing a tmilei,
trailer tongue weight can be determined with the use of a truck axle scale
The recommended method of checkina tonaue weight is to use an accessory called a
"tongue weight scale '_ Jf a tongue weight scale is not available, you can check the
tongue weight using a bathroom scale
Using a bathroom scale to check tongue weight: The loaded uailer must be on a
smooth and level surface, and you must block the trailer wheels, ftont and rear
7.1.1 Checking Tongue Weight--
Using a lever' and bathroom
scale
Before checking tongue weight, block trailer wheels, front and rear
• Raise the tongue of the trailer with the tongue jack
• Place a badlroom scale on the ground, directly below the couplet:
• Place a strong block support (such as a cement bIock) on the scale - note the
scale reading lot the weight of the block support.
• Lowm the tongue until the coupler rests on the block support and the jack is %
inch above the ground
• ]he scale reading, minus the weight of the block support is the tongue weight
7,,2 Securing tire Cargo
Si_ce the trailel "ride" can be bumpy and rough, you must secure your cargo so that
it does not shift while the trailer is being towed
7,2.1 Loading Cargo
Couple the traifer to the tow vehicle before loading
This is essential because the
tongue can rise during loading, before the cmgo is properly distributed
go
measure the tongue weight, 3,ou will have to uncouple the trailer after it is loaded
Do not transpo_t people in the trailer
Do not transport containers of hazardous
substances, cans or' containers of flammable substances, such as gasoline,
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