Do you load forwards or backwards?

[sirrobbins]

A question to all you zero turn users out there. Most manuals I read say to back your zero turn onto your trailer. I never see this done and I don't do it either. Who loads it backwards and why and who loads it forwards and why? Convenience? Safety a factor? Too much tongue weight if loaded with the engine by the tongue? I have seen some rather unfortunate disasters from backing them off trailers. Most were preventable of course. Do you have room to do a 180 degree turn on your trailer if you load forwards and then turn around forwards? Interested to hear an stories or testimonies

 

[zmister11]

A question to all you zero turn users out there. Most manuals I read say to back your zero turn onto your trailer. I never see this done and I don't do it either. Who loads it backwards and why and who loads it forwards and why? Convenience? Safety a factor? Too much tongue weight if loaded with the engine by the tongue? I have seen some rather unfortunate disasters from backing them off trailers. Most were preventable of course. Do you have room to do a 180 degree turn on your trailer if you load forwards and then turn around forwards? Interested to hear an stories or testimonies

When I only had one zero turn, I would load it backwards. That way all the weight stays on the front of the trailer. But now that I have a stander also, my big mower only fits in the trailer if I go forwards

 

[bertsmobile1]

ZTR's and RER's always go on backwards when using the tall trailer.
The tipping trailer makes little difference as it is only 2" off the ground and 12' long.

 

[Ric]

A question to all you zero turn users out there. Most manuals I read say to back your zero turn onto your trailer. I never see this done and I don't do it either. Who loads it backwards and why and who loads it forwards and why? Convenience? Safety a factor? Too much tongue weight if loaded with the engine by the tongue? I have seen some rather unfortunate disasters from backing them off trailers. Most were preventable of course. Do you have room to do a 180 degree turn on your trailer if you load forwards and then turn around forwards? Interested to hear an stories or testimonies

How you load your mower on the trailer is a matter of personal preference. Basically as long as the load is centered it doesn't make any difference how you load backwards or forward. I have a 12' open trailer and load three mowers all forward two ZTR's and a push mower with the majority of the weight or heaviest mower at the back over the axle to lesson the tongue weight. The major factor in loading a trailer is knowing what class hitch you have and watching your tongue weight.

 

[Carscw]

I drive on forward. With the heaviest mower up front. My trailer pulls better with more weight on the Tongue.

 

[Mad Mackie]

7' X 16' cargo trailer, ramp door with cables. I drive in forward as I can see the cables and back straight out guiding from the sides of the trailer.
With a collection system on my Tiger Cub, I can't see behind. I usually have my wood chipper up forward strapped in and I bring the machines in tight against the wood chipper.
As many open trailers have fairly short ramps, backing onto the trailer with a ZTR allows more underside clearance passing over the ramp hinge.
When I had open trailers, I extended the ramps on several to get away from the hangups at the ramp hinge.
Now with cargo trailers that have extra height which makes the ramp longer, everything loads smoothly.

 

[Ric]

When I only had one zero turn, I would load it backwards. That way all the weight stays on the front of the trailer. But now that I have a stander also, my big mower only fits in the trailer if I go forwards

What type vehicle are you towing with and what class hitch?

 

[zmister11]

What type vehicle are you towing with and what class hitch?

It's a 2010 gmc 1500 Sierra. Idk what class hitch though. It came with the truck. It has a towing package

 

[Ric]

It's a 2010 gmc 1500 Sierra. Idk what class hitch though. It came with the truck. It has a towing package

I just was curious, mine came with the truck also and it has a towing package. I like too know what I have and what its capability's are. I've dealt with trailer sway before and it's not a fun thing.

 

[zmister11]

I just was curious, mine came with the truck also and it has a towing package. I like too know what I have and what its capability's are. I've dealt with trailer sway before and it's not a fun thing.

Yeah I bet! My trailer swayed once on the interstate and like you said, not fun