Trailer load balance — Nevada Permit Test

Overloading a trailer increases stopping distance, and brakes can fail when forced to work too hard.

Brakes that overheat on a long downhill can fade to nothing, leaving the rig with no way to slow.

Stopping distance increases and brakes can fail when forced to work too hard.

Load a trailer low: put the heaviest items under the lightest ones, or in the lower storage compartments.

Heavy items piled high raise the center of gravity, so the trailer tips over in a turn.

Put the heaviest items under the lightest parts or in the lower storage compartments.

Too much weight on one side of a trailer can make it overturn, especially on turns.

A trailer heavy on one side leans hard in a curve and can roll, dragging the car with it.

If you have too much weight on one side of the trailer, the uneven weight distribution could cause the trailer to overturn, especially on turns.

To prevent a rollover, go slowly around turns and keep the cargo as close to the ground as possible.

A loaded trailer taken fast through a curve leans out and can tip over in a moment.

There are two things a driver can do to prevent a rollover:

What can happen to brakes when a trailer is overloaded?

They can fail from working too hard. Brakes that overheat on a long downhill can fade to nothing, leaving the rig with no way to slow. Nevada Driver Handbook, p.68: “Stopping distance increases and brakes can fail when forced to work too hard.”