Towing weights US vs Europe / AU

[fdew]

I finally found an article that explains why the difference.
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/tow-me-down-1609112611

Short version. We go faster, therefor we need a higher tongue weight, therefor a lighter trailer.

Faster = less stable.
Higher percentage of the trailer weight on the tongue = more stable.
Higher tongue weight = less trailer weight for the same Maximum payload

 

[CC58]

What about states like California where towing anything limits legal speed to 55mph?
You would think California would raise tow ratings due to lower allowed speeds.

 

[fdew]

I have learned not to use logic when discussing state laws. New York and California in particular.

 

[piotrek91]

thank you for posing up that link.
Very good and informative article.

Even on the autobahn in Germany vehicles towing trailers are limited to 80kph or 100kph (50mph or 60mph) while other cars blow by them at 130MPH+