How much of the vehicle's gross weight must be carried by the steering axle for normal handling?

At least 20 percent of the gross combined weight of the vehicle and load should be carried by the steering axle for the driver to maintain proper steering control. If too little weight rests on the front axle, the tractor's front tires lose traction and the truck becomes hard to steer, especially in wind, on slick surfaces, and during braking. Federal regulations also impose maximum axle weight limits, but the 20 percent minimum on the steering axle is about handling, not about damage to the road. Proper load distribution is a fundamental cargo securement skill. A trailer loaded heavy in the rear lightens the steering axle and creates poor handling even though no axle is overloaded.