MOBILE DETAILING TRAILER: LOAD AND WORKFLOW WORKSHEET Detail Compass | 2026-09-25 Use your exact tow vehicle, trailer, hitch, and equipment records. Fill in unknowns before towing. Weigh the completed load with normal occupants and supplies. Check both the departure and return load. 1. Rig and service Tow vehicle year, model, engine, axle, and tow package: _________________ Trailer maker, model, and identification: _______________________________ Services carried: ______________________________________________________ Date of labels, manuals, and scale ticket: ______________________________ Local trailer registration and brake authority checked: ________________ 2. Ratings from the exact labels and manuals (pounds) Tow vehicle GVWR: _______ GCWR: _______ trailer limit: _____________ Vehicle tongue limit: _____ hitch tongue limit: _____ ball tongue limit: ___ Hitch gross trailer limit: _____ ball gross trailer limit: ____________ Coupler gross trailer limit: _____ coupler tongue limit: _____________ Trailer GVWR: ____________ axle 1 rating: ______ axle 2 rating: ____ Tow front axle rating: _______ rear axle rating: ____________________ Tow and trailer tire load limits / specified inflation: _______________ The lowest applicable limit controls each check. 3. Loaded trailer worksheet (pounds) Empty trailer, measured or documented: __________ Source: ______________ Water, US gallons: _______ x about 8.34 lb/gal = ________________________ Empty tank and mounts: __________ Source: _______________________________ Machines, shelves, reels: _______ Source: _______________________________ Supplies and recovery gear: _____ Source: _______________________________ Other load: _________________ Source: ____________________________________ LOADED TRAILER TOTAL: ___________________________________________________ Actual loaded trailer total from scale: ______ Method/date: ___________ For a matched load, subtract uncoupled tow-vehicle weight from the combined scale weight if the trailer cannot be weighed alone. Measured tongue load: __________ With a weight-carrying hitch, trailer axle load total for planning = loaded trailer total minus measured tongue load: _______________________ Actual coupled trailer axle 1 reading: ______ axle 2 reading: _______ Compare each measured axle with its own rating. An axle total cannot prove the load on each tire when side-to-side weight differs. Record wheel-position readings when available: _______________________________________________ If tire loads remain uncertain, leave the tire check open and ask the trailer maker or a qualified scale/installer how to verify them. 4. Tow vehicle and combination (pounds) Loaded tow vehicle before coupling, including occupants: _______________ With a weight-carrying hitch, planning tow weight = before + tongue: ____ Actual coupled tow front axle reading: ______ rear axle reading: ______ Actual coupled tow vehicle weight, both axles: _________________________ Combined weight = before coupling + loaded trailer total: _____________ Actual coupled combined scale weight: __________________________________ Count the whole loaded trailer once. Do not add the tongue twice. Weight-distributing hitches can move load among the vehicle and trailer axles. Use actual coupled axle readings with the hitch set per its manual. 5. Pass or fail Loaded trailer at or below trailer GVWR? _______________________________ Each measured trailer axle within its own rating? _______________________ Each tire load verified against its own limit? _________________________ Loaded trailer within vehicle, hitch, ball, and coupler gross limits? __ Measured tongue within every applicable tongue limit? _________________ Coupled tow vehicle within GVWR and each axle/tire limit? ______________ Combined weight at or below GCWR? _______________________________________ Actual tongue share within the maker's specified range? _______________ Any missing reading or failed check and the action to resolve it: ________________________________________________________________________ 6. Layout and job path Trailer doors, vents, shutoffs, and approved anchor points marked? ______ Tank and machines mounted to suitable points under maker instructions? __ Cargo secure under braking and turning? ________________________________ Daily tools reachable without moving heavy equipment? _________________ Wet returns separate from clean towels and supplies? ___________________ Water capture and disposal checked with local authorities? _____________ Customer access, turn space, parking, and detachment plan checked? _____ Failed or open layout item and the action to resolve it: _______________ FILLED HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE All ratings and equipment weights below are invented for the example. They do not describe or approve any product. Tow vehicle GVWR 6,000 lb; GCWR 10,000 lb; trailer limit 4,500 lb. Lowest applicable tongue limit 500 lb. Trailer GVWR 3,500 lb and axle rating 3,500 lb. Single-axle trailer with a weight-carrying hitch; no weight-distribution device. Hitch, ball, and coupler gross trailer limits also exceed 2,557 lb. Empty trailer 1,400 lb Water: 50 US gal x about 8.34 lb/gal 417 lb Empty tank and mounts 60 lb Machines, shelves, and reels 500 lb Supplies and recovery gear 180 lb Loaded trailer total 2,557 lb Measured tongue load 300 lb Single trailer axle load: 2,557 - 300 2,257 lb Loaded tow vehicle before coupling 4,800 lb Loaded tow vehicle after coupling 5,100 lb Combined weight: 4,800 + 2,557 7,357 lb Tongue share: 300 / 2,557 11.7% Hypothetical result: the listed totals are below the invented ratings. Actual coupled axle, tire, mount, brake, and layout checks remain open until the completed rig is inspected and weighed. Replace all invented inputs and confirm each hitch, ball, and coupler rating. Sources for the method: Ford towing guidance: https://www.ford.com/towing/ NHTSA cargo guidance: https://www.nhtsa.gov/drive-safe-secure-your-load USGS water weight: https://www.usgs.gov/water-science-school/science/a-million-gallons-water-how-much-it EPA vehicle washing: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-01/bmp-vehicle-maintenance-and-washing.pdf