What Is the 60/40 Rule on Trailers?

The 60/40 rule is a towing safety guideline advising that roughly 60% of a trailer’s cargo weight be placed forward of the axle(s) and 40% behind, so a bumper-pull trailer ends up with about 10–15% of its total weight on the hitch (tongue weight). This balance reduces sway, improves braking stability, and helps keep the tow vehicle controllable. It’s a best-practice rule of thumb, not a law, and the ultimate goal is correct tongue or pin weight within the trailer and hitch maker’s specifications.

What the 60/40 Rule Means and Why It Exists

In practical terms, the 60/40 rule is about fore-and-aft weight distribution on a trailer. Placing more weight toward the front half—about 60% of the cargo mass ahead of the axle group—nudges the center of gravity forward enough to generate proper tongue weight. For conventional (bumper-pull) trailers, that target tongue weight is typically 10–15% of the trailer’s loaded weight. For gooseneck and fifth-wheel setups, 15–25% pin weight is common. This balanced load helps suppress trailer sway, keeps tires and axles within safe limits, and maintains predictable steering and braking in the tow vehicle.

How to Apply the 60/40 Rule

The following steps outline how to load and verify a trailer so the 60/40 guideline translates into safe, measurable results on the road.

1. Confirm weight ratings: Identify your trailer’s GVWR and GAWR, your tow vehicle’s ratings (GCWR, rear axle), and the hitch/tongue or pin weight limits. Never exceed the lowest-rated component.
2. Place heavy items low and slightly forward: Load dense cargo on the floor over or just forward of the axle group, aiming for roughly 60% of the cargo mass toward the front half of the deck.
3. Target proper tongue or pin weight: For bumper-pull trailers aim for 10–15% tongue weight; for gooseneck/fifth-wheel aim for 15–25%. Use the range specified by your manufacturer if it differs.
4. Measure, don’t guess: Use a tongue-weight scale, a bathroom-scale lever method for light trailers, or a certified public scale to confirm actual tongue/pin weight.
5. Balance side-to-side: Keep left/right loads even to avoid overloading one tire, wheel, bearing, or spring.
6. Secure and re-check: Tie down cargo, re-measure if you move items, and consider a weight-distribution hitch and sway control if operating near limits.

Following these steps turns a simple rule of thumb into a verifiable setup, ensuring your trailer tows stably and within all ratings.

What Happens If You Ignore It

Problems from poor weight distribution show up quickly and can escalate at highway speeds. Here are the most common risks and how they manifest.

• Too little tongue weight (under ~10% on a bumper-pull) increases sway and “fishtailing,” especially in crosswinds or during evasive maneuvers.
• Too much tongue weight (well over ~15% on a bumper-pull) can overload the tow vehicle’s rear axle, lighten steering, and lengthen stopping distances.
• Side-to-side imbalance overheats one side’s tires and bearings and can stress the suspension and frame.
• Overweight conditions can violate manufacturer limits, degrade handling and braking, and raise liability and insurance concerns after a crash.

In short, incorrect loading undermines control, increases wear and tear, and can create legal and insurance complications if weights exceed rated limits.

Exceptions, Nuances, and Misconceptions

While widely taught by trailer makers and rental companies, the 60/40 rule isn’t a statute and isn’t the only way to get safe distribution. Consider the following nuances.

• Follow the manual first: Some OEMs specify precise tongue/pin targets or cargo placement that supersede generic rules.
• Boat trailers are special: Engines are aft, but axle placement and winch post location are designed so proper tongue weight is still achieved; you may not literally split cargo by deck length.
• Multiple axles and long decks: Tandem/tri-axle trailers may not land at a literal 60/40 by deck space; the key is achieving correct tongue/pin weight, not a strict length ratio.
• Gooseneck/fifth-wheel rigs: Their higher pin-weight targets (often 15–25%) change how far forward mass must sit, but the principle—stable, measured vertical load—remains the same.
• Weight-distribution hitches don’t reduce tongue weight: They reallocate load to the tow vehicle’s front axle and trailer axles for balance; your measured tongue weight stays the same.

Think of 60/40 as a starting point; the actual proof of a safe setup is hitting the manufacturer-approved tongue/pin weight and staying within all rated limits.

A Quick Example

Imagine a bumper-pull trailer loaded to 5,000 lb (including cargo). Your target tongue weight is roughly 500–750 lb (10–15%). If you add 3,000 lb of cargo, start by placing about 1,800 lb of it in the front half and 1,200 lb in the rear half, then measure tongue weight. If you read 420 lb, shift a bit more mass forward; if you read 820 lb, move some weight back or reconfigure the load until the tongue weight lands in range without exceeding any axle or hitch ratings.

How to Verify at a Public Scale

If you don’t have a tongue-weight scale, certified truck scales (e.g., CAT scales) can provide accurate axle weights and let you calculate tongue or pin weight.

1. Weigh the tow vehicle alone: Record steer and drive axle weights (no trailer attached).
2. Weigh with the trailer: Record steer, drive, and trailer axle group weights.
3. Calculate tongue weight (bumper-pull): Subtract the unhitched truck weight from the hitched truck weight; the difference is tongue weight. For gooseneck/fifth-wheel, use the change on the truck axles as your pin weight.
4. Compare to limits: Ensure tongue/pin weight and each axle are within ratings; adjust cargo position and repeat as needed.

This process verifies not just balance but also compliance with GVWR/GAWR limits, which is essential for safety and legality.

Bottom Line

The 60/40 rule is a practical loading guideline: place about 60% of cargo weight forward of the axle(s) and 40% behind to achieve proper tongue or pin weight and stable handling. It’s a starting point—always confirm actual tongue/pin weight, balance left-to-right, and stay within all vehicle, trailer, and hitch ratings. When in doubt, measure and adjust.

Summary

The 60/40 rule advises loading roughly 60% of cargo forward and 40% aft to yield correct tongue/pin weight—about 10–15% for bumper-pull and 15–25% for gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailers. It’s not a law but a proven guideline that minimizes sway and improves control. Verify with scales, secure the load, balance side-to-side, and comply with all manufacturer ratings.

What is the 80% rule when towing?

What Is the 80% Towing Rule? The towing rule is not to haul a load heavier than 80% of your towing vehicle’s towing capacity. Providing a decent margin of error in the event of miscalculating your trailer and its load, the 80% rule is a sensible rule of thumb to follow.

What is the 60/40 rule when loading a trailer?

The 60/40 trailer rule is a weight distribution guideline for safe towing that states 60% of the load’s total weight should be placed in front of the trailer’s axle, with 40% behind it. This distribution prevents dangerous trailer sway and instability, ensuring better control by keeping the majority of the weight over or forward of the axles. When loading, place heavier items closer to the front of the trailer and secure all cargo to prevent shifting.
 
Why the 60/40 Rule is Important

• Prevents Trailer Sway: Loading the trailer with too much weight behind the axle creates an imbalance that can lead to trailer sway or “fishtailing,” which is a terrifying and dangerous condition where the trailer starts to steer the tow vehicle. 
• Improves Stability: A properly balanced load provides stability for both the trailer and the tow vehicle, reducing strain on the engine and suspension. 
• Enhances Driver Control: With 60% of the weight forward, you maintain better control over your vehicle and trailer combination. 

How to Apply the 60/40 Rule

1. Load Heavier Items First: Place the heaviest items as far forward as possible. 
2. Distribute Weight Evenly: Distribute the weight side-to-side to prevent uneven load distribution. 
3. Secure Your Load: Once the weight is distributed, secure all items to prevent shifting during travel. 

What to Do If Sway Occurs
If you experience trailer sway:

1. Don’t Panic: Stay calm and keep your hands on the steering wheel. 
2. Slow Down: Take your foot off the gas and allow the vehicle to slow down naturally. 
3. Apply Trailer Brakes: Engage the trailer’s brakes to help correct the sway. 
4. Pull Over Safely: Once you have control, find a safe place to pull over and adjust your load to follow the 60/40 rule. 

What is the biggest trailer you can tow without a licence?

You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM .

What is the largest trailer you can pull without a CDL?

Class B requirements
You’ll need a Class B CDL if the vehicle’s GVWR is greater than 26,000 pounds. If you are using one of these types of vehicles to tow a trailer, you’ll still need that Class B license even if the trailer is rated at less than 10,000 pounds GVWR. So far, so good. The numbers tell the story.