Tongue weight measurements question

[phatboy64]

What if any affect does the grade that the trailer is sitting on affect tongue weight. Meaning if I have a cargo trailer sitting on my driveway facing down hill on a moderately down hill pitch, how much would that affect my tongue weight reading on a scale. I have a 26 foot cargo trailer, when I check the tongue weight it is at the top end (1400lbs). Would that change for the better if I measured it on a flat surface?

 

[Dodgeman]

Yes it would. The center of gravity of the load (including the weight of the trailer) is shifted forward a bit when the trailer is on a tongue down unlevel surface. The amount of that shift depends upon the slope of the surface and the height of the center of gravity of the load. A block of something six feet tall would shift more weight forward than a block of something the same weight but only 1 foot tall. Also, more slope - more shift. If you knew the center of gravity of the load, and you had the time (and the desire ) you could calculate the forward weight shift using trigonometry and static body analysis. Or you could just weigh it. Unless you have a tall load or a very steep slope, the shift will probably not be dramatic but will be measurable.

 

[phatboy64]

Thanks. That is what I thought. I live on a hilly area and it is a PIA driving to a flat lot to check tongue weight as I am loading the trailer….