Got a new trailer (Triton ATV 128). I was hauling my Honda Pioneer 500 SxS and a Yamaha Grizzly 450. I had the pioneer towards the front of the trailer and the Grizzly side loaded at the end (call this config 1). My trailer started to sway pretty badly and I pulled over.

I reversed the position of the machines and the trailer was much more stable (Grizzly side loaded up front near the hitch and the Pioneer front loaded in the back..config 2).

So, I decided to go to the scales. My trailer weighed 2,700 lbs with the two machines loaded not connected to truck. Then I weighted connected (both configurations). For config 1, the hitch weight was only 50 lbs and config 2 it was 150 lbs.

Here is my question: Even 150 lbs of hitch weight w/ 2,700 lbs of total weight is low (that's about 6% on the hitch). For those of you with more hauling experience, am I OK at 6%? I was told generally to be 10-15% but I was also told it isn't a big deal for lighter trailers like this. If it does matter, any advice on what I can do to increase the hitch weight?

By the way: DONT' TRUST THE WEIGHT RATINGS GIVEN BY MANUFACTURER! The trailer is supposed to weigh 700, the Pioneer 1,000 and the Grizzly about 600 for total of 2,300-2,400. 3 to 400 lbs off!

 

Check if your trailer is level. If it's not, address that first. If it is, check again. You would be surprised at how much an unlevel trailer will affect your towing experience.

 

The nose of the trailer should be level or slightly down. Reverse your sxs putting the engine towards the front of the trailer. This should get your hitch rating just about right. Yours have the brake kit installed? your 300lbs over weight if it does not according to manufacturor

 

Yup, I got surge brakes. Thanks for the reply.

 

I suggest you look at the following link.
Common Weight Distribution and Sway Control Questions | etrailer.com

 

It's better in a situation like yours to have the balance of the weight centered over the trailer axle or slightly forward of the trailer axle. It sounds like configuration 1 worked out a bit tail heavy on the trailer.

 

No need for a weight distribution set up for a atv trailer. By reversing the sxs it will put the weight of the engine closer to the front and balance out the weight. Placement is key. I have 2 identical size/year of machines. Mine is slightly heavier due to tires and other things i bring on the trail. If i get the machines 1" to far back i notice the difference in handling.