How to Load a Car Onto a Trailer

Learn how to load a car onto a trailer as we share some of our tips on how to load a car onto a tow trailer safely and easily. We also cover off proper strapping techniques and car and trailer positioning.

For what we consider the best way to measure tongue weight, go to Weigh Safe's website and check out their full product line.

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[Spider_Gooch]

Mad respect guys. When you guys make a mistake no gripes no bullshit you just own it and make it right. You guys are legit.

[colinwatt]

I really appreciate you guys putting this video together. When I satarted towing large / heavy loads a number of years back, I quickly realized the importance of trailer weight distribution and tongue weight as it pertains to vehicle dynamics and -most importantly- safety. This past summer when I was in Algonquin Park I watched a minivan with a 20+ foot RV go down the road with the rear of the vehicle squatting to the point the underside of the ball-mount was dragging on the road. I honestly couldn’t believe it. It was apparent that they used the manufacturer’s max towing rating as the only factor to how large/heavy a trailer they could tow without realizing that the tow rating is a perfectly balanced and distributed trailer with ideal tongue weight. Most trailers, especially RVs, do not conform to this, especially when you pack the vehicle and trailer full of kids and camping equipment. I’d like to see the authorities and legislation catch-up with the times, but in the meanwhile videos like these are going to prove invaluable. Thanks for putting it together guys.

[etnies]

Just to note you want to connect the emergency brake cable to the truck itself and not the chain. You guys went into detail on this nice work.

[dkhill]

Blippin Jeep (Matt) Just did a video as to why you don't cross strap it's very informative I learned something. Will never cross strap again

[happysawfish]

Very informative. Even though I've been dealing with trailers and loads, and mishaps for a long long time, I still learned something. Thank you!

[GarageBuiltHondas]

My wife says my "tongue weight" game is strong!

[_J.P._]

I really like your gauge on the trailer hitch. Super easy to read and quickly determine where to position the car. Not common in the EU. But European trailers are way easier to handle car towing. The floor is full of holes making the trailer not only lighter but you can strap the cars with a 3 point strap by the wheels/tyres directly to the trailer. No cross whatever needed and you can fully tension each strap from the start. Excessive strap lanes can be simply thrown into the car you have loaded and by shutting the door they don't move anywhere no more. Loading a car takes basically 10 minutes tops. If you are more skilled then you can get it done even under 10 minutes. Fully safe and secure :)

[oliverrojas]

Very easy to understand technical explanation as to why tongue weight matters. Thanks for even providing information about the option of purchasing a do it all tongue weight read out hitch.

[TexasGTO]

Very glad you pulled the other and made a new one. We all think we know everything, until we don't lol Much respect to y'all.

[gimmethecarkeys]

That hitch is cool! I never knew they made that. Good info! Keep the vids coming boys!

[mcspikesky]

Ideal. I'm picking up a motor tomorrow and it'll be my first trailer loading.

Fun fact: Tongue weight is called Nose Weight here in the UK

[JohnCasale]

Adding load to the truck does not change the tongue weight at all. Tongue weight is a measurement of the downward force put on the tongue(hitch) by the trailer.

Adding load to the bed does increase the load on the rear suspension, which may overload the rear suspension, but it does not affect tongue weight.

[marshmaro]

So incredibly helpful! Thank you so much, im new to trailer usage, I bought one to be able to haul a couple of cars I own. And your video was very thorough and informative.

[yelsinchacon]

Man, what a tutorial, I appreciate all the good information. Thank you 🙏

[alexderus]

Excellent video!

Would love to see how tounge weight behaves when a car is loaded backwards onto a trailer. I see it all the time at track days, and can't help but think it's wrong.

[aj]

2:52 How did you open door and get out? Looks like it will hit fender.

[andrue]

If the trailer is level empty when hooked up to the trailer then loaded with the car, wouldn't that alter the level? Is it better to have the trailer nose up by and inch or two to compensate for the weight of the car after it's loaded?

[carlosrosado]

Ghetto ramp setup is classic. Good stuff!

[mal]

You mentioned load in the truck changing tongue wt. It does indeed but by an insignificant amount. It does affect GVW of course which is often the limiting factor.

[georget]

Great video. Just s note avoid strapping control arms especially in a bmw, those control arm bushings wear out fast as it is. And u putting pressure on them like that will cause them to wear out prematurely.