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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

sirrobbins said:

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

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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

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.

sirrobbins said:

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

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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.

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

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.

zmister11 said:

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

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

Ric said:

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

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

zmister11 said:

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

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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.

Ric said:

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.

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

Not enough tongue weight or too much tongue weight will cause a trailer to sway.
Excessive tongue weight can reduce the weight on the front wheels of the tow vehicle. A hitch setup with weight distribution can be used to deal with excessive tongue weight.
Correct tire pressure on both the tow vehicle and trailer is important.
If the trailer is dual axle, it is important to setup the trailer hitch height to keep the trailer in a level forward/aft attitude. This will keep the load balanced between the axles and reduce swaying tendencies at higher speeds.

I picked up my Z master today and loaded it backwards onto the trailer. Barely squeezed in with the trailer I was using. Put a lot of tongue weight on the truck. Made it home fine with no swaying. 6x12 dual axle though so most of the weight was on the axles

Zero turn goes in forwards to keep the tongue weight down. Tractor goes in the same way, but for no particular reason other than the tie downs don't need to be re-adjusted. Having a ramp door means I have more than enough room for error. ( 6 ft wide trailer , 48 inch wide deck).

What size is the Tow Ball ? That has the towing rating usually stamped into the head. From the Factory, you aren't gonna get an oversized tow ball. It will match your tow package (It should, I better say).