What Happens if You Overload a Trailer

When they have extra cargo they need to bring, many drivers think, “What happens if you overload a trailer?” While it may seem like exceeding the towing limit is a safe enough way to cut corners, it can make towing harder and more dangerous. Instead of pushing limits, talk to our team at Lester Glenn Chevrolet of Freehold to find out how you can increase your towing power or you’ll run into these issues.

Strain on the Engine

The Greater Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of your Chevy truck or SUV is based on the maximum combined weight of the trailer, vehicle, and cargo based on the vehicle’s overall engineering and power. Even if it has the raw power to get an overloaded trailer moving, if you’re towing in start-and-stop traffic on the Garden State Parkway, it has to spend extra energy accelerating after slowing down. You’ll experience more problems and possibly even breakdowns.

Poor Steering

As the trailer gets heavier, more weight gets carried by the rear bumper of your car. Like a lever, any pressure weighing down the rear bumper causes the front to lift, giving your front wheels less contact with the road. This will cause any car to have trouble steering safely, but it’s especially dangerous if you’re towing using front-wheel drive.

Swaying Trailers

The GCWR isn’t only set by how much raw power your SUV has; it’s also set to ensure the center of balance sits between the vehicle and the trailer. With a heavier trailer, the center of balance moves to the rear, and as a result the trailer is much more likely to sway into oncoming traffic or other obstacles. Modern Chevrolet vehicles feature StabiliTrak® to automatically stabilize trailers, but they’re only designed for the recommended range and may not work as intended with an overloaded trailer.

Learn More about Chevrolet Towing in Freehold, NJ

With a properly loaded trailer and a Chevrolet vehicle, there’s nothing you can’t tow. Find out more about our powerful vehicles at our Chevrolet dealership in Freehold, NJ. Learn more about advanced towing features and take a test drive today!

Posted in Freehold Chevrolet Service | No Comments »