When should you adjust the load on a trailer?

Adjusting the load on a trailer before starting your journey is essential to ensure proper balance and stability. A balanced load helps maintain control of the vehicle while driving, reduces the risk of swaying, and minimizes the chance of accidents caused by an uneven distribution of weight. Properly loaded trailers have their weight distributed evenly from front to back and side to side, which contributes to optimal handling and braking capabilities.

Adjusting the load after loading can help avoid potential instability caused by shifting during travel. However, if the load is unbalanced from the start, it can lead to handling difficulties no matter how often adjustments are made later in the journey. This proactive measure helps lay the groundwork for a safe and smooth driving experience from the outset.

Other considerations like adjusting the load while on the road only in response to swaying or instability suggests a reactionary approach rather than preventative safety measures, which is less effective as it puts the driver in a position where they may already be experiencing difficulties.