Hopefully I’ll do a better job answering this time. In other words, do your best with weights and locations, then don’t worry about a few inches one way or the other. I will be designing trailers more accurately and safely now using your method. It improves towing stability, maneuverability, and safety. That is on the margin, but can work. goes with what was said earlier, 8' long trailer has its axle at 56" (4' 8") = 48" + 8" i dont know if its right but it works and if you do the math and multiply the length in inches by .6 (60%) it ends up being really close. Thanks for the article. For positioning the axle fore and aft on the trailer, the article on Calculating Axle Position may interest. It is extremely helpful. Everyone discusses “tongue weight”. A specific amount of weight on the trailer's tongue helps to maintain the connection to the vehicle's hitch. I’m right at the point now of working out where my axles and pivot point should be. Axles Size Empty Weight Tongue Weight Payload Capacity 3500 lb. The bed is 8′ long w/a 4’8″ tongue. Re: Axle Placement on Trailer No problem doing it with the boat on the trailer. Some of your answer is in this article about tongue length. Just plug in the numbers and complete the formula to determine the axle placement. It also has a mounted toolbox. 5th Wheel (and Gooseneck) trailers are mentioned, but are not the focus. The placement of the Axle has nothing to do with aerodynamics. We can’t have that! (Perhaps we’ll dive into this in a future post. It has everything to do with center of gravity. Take the measurement. However, in a physics sense, is actual weight on the tongue the objective, in order to achieve stability? First, we sum forces in a vertical direction. What is different for multiple axles? Note:  This simplification works for loading and trailer axle position on load sharing multiple axles, but not for stress or stiffness calculations. Cheers, Dennis Ferderer November 7, 2019 @ Thank you for very clear information. 5:01 AM. 2) The axles (via the wheels and tires) are already on the ground, so their weight can be ignored. You will need to determine the tongue weight of the trailer and then check out the picture I attached if the tongue weight is anything other than 10 percent of the total trailer weight. nick hurst July 27, 2019 @ Mechanic November 1, 2020 @ Thank you for clarifying that! Axles Size Empty Weight Tongue Weight Payload Capacity 3500 lb. Our 6x12 enclosed trailer is ideal as a cargo, utility, or equipment trailer. A bicycle trailer isn’t really different than an automotive trailer, just lighter duty. Take a look at the picture I have included. — But these are great questions. Thanks for writing again. However, some 12-foot enclosed trailers only have a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,000 pounds. Thanks. You can place the load appropriate for the conditions. The Geometric Center is approximately half-way down the handle. For example, the math for a 10-foot box is: 10 x.4 = 4. Multiply this length by .4. 9:23 PM. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Using the values and solutions from above . Treat them as a single axle. In many cases it gives a reasonable answer, but why settle for a lazy guess when you can simply run the numbers and gain understanding. Start by measuring the length of the trailer cargo box or platform, but do not include the trailer tongue. Gooseneck, bumper pull, or pintle-eye in various axle configurations. Be sure to pull diagonal measurements from the middle spring hangers to the coupler to be sure that your trailer will track straight. Weigh the trailer (under wheels) "Wheel Weight" 2. Nothing. So the centerline of the axles will be 7' from the front edge of the box. I’ve been crunching the numbers for empty vs loaded and wanted to make sure if the 600 lb for axles should be included. 4:42 AM. I’ll try and cut to the chase for I feel you misunderstood my question above. L6 = Desired axle position. 5:46 AM. I relish the idea of an article that delves deeper. Utility Trailer Technical Information: * The 6 x 12 utility trailer plans give a deck size 2 inches wider than 6 ft. and 3.5 inches longer than 12 ft. (This allows a true 6 ft load width, and true 12 ft load length clearance.) Be careful not to over compensate because without proper tongue weight, your trailer can become a mobile disaster for you and anyone else on the road. Use the location of the wheel center, NOT where the axle attaches to the frame. 6ft7in X 12ft Single Axle Utility Trailer 5000# GVW HH-U5000B12 $2,195.00 Heavy Hauler Trailers and Truck Accessories Please call for freight/shipping quote: 888-828-2767 My experience says when calculating axle position for a loaded trailer, the axle(s) weight will only make a small difference for placement, and it biases the CG back just a little which is good for stability. What are the best ways to attach safety chains on a trailer? The most integral parts of your boat trailers running gear would be the boat trailer axle, and the trailer hubs. The PJ Ready Rail® offers a variety of accessories to get the job done. This is where you want the center of the axle set to be — based on % tongue load you chose above. All that being said, I recommend biasing the trailer axle position a little farther back for trailers where the load will change — like utility trailers. Step 3. Then there are several “loads” (depending on your trailer): Measurements are center of the hitch ball to the load centers (center of mass for each load). Good question, with a 2 part answer. I see to extreme possibilities that could result in exactly the same tongue weight and i am curious if this matters. Interesting question. If you have more point loads, just add them in as illustrated. In our example above, the trailer axle position is ~55% of bed length. In our example above, the trailer axle position is ~55% of bed length. The Gatormade utility trailer has been engineered for hauling ATVs, side-by-sides (SXS), lawnmowers and more. The main body of the trailer is much heavier than the tongue, yet the tongue has weight. Thanks again, Josh. Center of tandem axle spring assembly bolt is at 5’2” from back of frame (40%). That’s the answer to the customer question above. A Feature of Synthesis Engineering Services, Inc. 6:57 PM. Subtracting:  2600# – 2250# = 350# tongue weight. That’s it. Because Torsion Axles don’t have springs to mount, it’s the bracket width (usually meaning the outside dimension of the frame members or Frame Width ) that defines it’s Mounting Position. Starting from the front of the cargo box, measure back the distance determined in step two. Now we know the loading if the tongue has 12% of the load. Have a wonderful day. 10:18 PM. 9:13 PM. approx. The resulting number is the distance from the rear of the cargo box to the center of the axle. Find Your Payload Capacity Locate your trailer by size and axle type to obtain the capacity. EXAMPLE 1: The water tanks are placed on the trailer one one on each side of the axle as far away from the axle as possible. Can you tell me if WF includes the mass of the axle assemblies and wheels, or just the frame. For this discussion, we will focus on trailers with a traditional tongue attached to the rear of the tow vehicle. EXAMPLE 2: The water tanks are place on the trailer one on each side of the axle as close to the axle as possible. That said, using the measurement technique helps when setting bigger loads like a battery pack or water tank for a Tiny House. That balance point is the Center of Mass, and it’s much closer to the head. I think that’s “No” based on what you asked. I’ll give an example below. If you’re looking for a simple — maybe misguided or incomplete answer — this is not the right article. For example, if you mounted the wheels as far to the rear of the tray/deck as possible, that would surely give a much different pivot point to, if you were to mount the wheels as far forward of the tray as possible, right? If we put it at 60%, the tongue weight becomes 501 Lbs, ~16.7%. Payload Capacity 5200 lb. Single-Axle Trailers with 3500-lb. Oops, now you’re thinking. Remove the trailer's front axle hubcaps, if necessary, and connect the axle extension tubes to the spindles at the center of the right and left front wheels. khalid February 16, 2020 @ However, with respect to axle position, we follow some well proven guidelines. The Gatormade utility trailer has been engineered for hauling ATVs, side-by-sides (SXS), lawnmowers and more. weight of house is 32,000 lbs. Think about a Hammer. The Mechanic September 9, 2019 @ Here’s the whole answer, from The Mechanic. Use the central position of the axle group for all the measurements and calculations. Of course, the easiest way to know tongue weight is to measure it. ), For rear connecting trailers (traditional), weight of the tongue should be in the 10% – 15% range of total trailer weight. I am including a good picture of the measurements that are required on a tandem axle and a chart that will list the hangar distances on a 2,000-lb axle and a 3,500-lb axle. We will assume an evenly distributed load of rocks, lumber, or whatever. I’m trying to build 48’ gooseneck trailer would like some information on this build, Thomas January 17, 2020 @ Subtract the axle weight from the total weight to determine the hitch weight. Small changes do make a difference, but I don’t personally have any experience with a 36 degree tongue. Camber. Also written 3000#. Gary Ford September 5, 2019 @ Make the calculations based on a loaded trailer, the way you expect it to be fully loaded. The 60/40 axle placement formula is a great starting point and does take into account the tongue of the trailer from where the trailer sits on the hitch ball. I think it would work great if you always turn Left. If I push to 200kg nose weight and 10% bias then I can only tow 2000kg. I’m now understanding that, when checking the final weight on the scales, I include the axle and wheels weight. Thanks. For a 5th wheel (or gooseneck) trailer, weight at the tongue should be in the 20% – 30% range of total trailer weight. My plan was to go with the 60%/40% method however,I briefly read that this method would not work.A friend of mine builds trailers for a side hustle and he said that is the rule he goes by..I have flipped my trailer over to make easy to move axle and by my measurements I will need to move the axle back 13 and 1/2 inches to meet the 60/40 rule. Unless you have hydraulics on the axles and change the location depending on whats loaded. As a thought experiment to illustrate my question, let’s imagine an 8′ utility trailer with an axle set a little back from the centre of the bed, with a tongue length of 4′, loaded evenly, with a result of 15% of the weight being on the tongue at the coupler. Go to the grocery store and push the cart frontwards (don't … I think the real issue with my writing is the context of theoretical and practical. LOL, Autorama-7 July 23, 2019 @ Or, use the equations offered. I used to build trailers and there is no set tongue length, it depends on the entire length of the trailer and how far you want to be able to cut it, as far as the axle placement, I always found the center of the trailer and move back one inch for every foot of the trailer, this keep it … However, some 12-foot enclosed trailers only have a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,000 pounds. The center of the two wheels will be 60 percent of the trailer's length. (If the latter, I understand that it would be translated to tongue weight rules of thumb, given average tongue lengths, so the layman can easily approximate the centre of mass and achieve a stable condition.). Deck over wheels, for maximum load surface and strength. if you really don’t know the weights, loads or positions. I was looking at a trailer design with a 36 degree A frame coupler and calculating that changing the A frame coupler angle to a commonplace US 50 degree version reduces the length significantly but only has a small impact on tongue weight. ). You want the tongue weight of the trailer to be approximately 10 percent of the gross trailer weight. I’d sell this one and buy one with the length, goose neck and axle placement already there. How can it be stated that 3500kg can be towed with 150kg nose weight? In my case the tandem axles & wheels account for about 33% of the trailer weight and it makes a notable difference. 08-23-2013, 12:41 PM. 10:36 AM. ‘Yes’ for they should be on the trailer, ‘no’ for they should be removed from the trailer, that would make it simple for me. I’ll keep my eye out! Follow manufacturer specifications for the tow vehicle. Clamp it in place, then measure as above. They are different only in how the problem is approached. I don’t think there is any magic claimed in the angle used per se. Good luck. The picture is from the product page of the Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double-Eye Springs, part # APT1 . I know you touched on it in another article, but it seems pretty hit & miss to me, to try and find the pivot point with the wheels already on? Search (By contrast we are familiar that moving an axle (positioned close to the C of G) a matter of inches generates a significant change in tongue weight). To ‘The Mechanic’. In general, more weight on the tongue is better for stability. Please help. How muck can I add without add or moving axles? Trying to figure out location for axles. Single-Axle Trailers with 3500-lb. Here’s an example of using a balanced lever approach to calculate loading. This page, then Calculating Axle Position. For example, 2600#. 8:33 AM. Yes I believe it is simply the consequential extended length of the narrower angle A frame that is claimed to give the alleged benefit to yaw stability, assuming the width of the trailer main frame rails is maintained. Multiply this length by .4. Example 2 will be more pleasant to pull. PLEASE tell me what you think of this guy’s method. What I was wanting to know is, so to measure the trailer ‘pivot point’ ‘accurately’ it would have to be done with the trailer fully complete (spare wheel, tail door, tool box, cage, hydraulic ram and oil tank etc ‘if applicable’) all installed but without the ‘supporting’ wheels, axles, springs and hangers attached, wouldn’t it? . Patrick Watts October 31, 2020 @ Thanks. The Mechanic November 20, 2019 @ If you really want to know about trailer axle position, then you’ve come to the right place. Please keep in mind that this is a very basic formula or estimate for axle placement. 5:23 PM. If the center of gravity is not in front of the axle, the trailer will try to whip arround. “? If we put it at 60%, the tongue weight becomes 501 Lbs, ~16.7%. This is where to start with when picking out axle locations for a tandem axle trailer. For tandem axles or triple axles, use the center of the axle … If that makes sense? This 12-foot trailer’s features include a durable, clean looking gator-tuff powder coat finish, a 7000-pound gross vehicle weight rating, and a heavy-duty designed frame. You can include it separately, but it’s distance from the axle is always zero, so it washes out. Required fields are marked *. A long tongue has other nifty advantages too — within reason — though your 12′ tongue will create other issues. Axles Size Empty Weight Tongue Weight Payload Capacity 6 x 12 1200 180 2300 Tandem-Axle Trailers with 3500-, 5200- and 7000-lb. In severe cases, a crash can result. . 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Everyone seems to think not enough tongue weight '' 2 to tempt fate method a! This is part of the axles will be designing trailers more accurately and safely now using method... Those rules of thumb to completing a trailer, just lighter duty on WF @ 1,200 Lbs without... Axle position this DIY method for a couple free sets of utility trailer has been engineered hauling. Experiment was helpful weight tongue weight Payload capacity Locate your trailer because it adds to instability: Range discovery. Please tell me what you see in tow rolling along trailer isn ’ handle. Or whatever – IMHO. ) just follow the example and add them in as illustrated up equal to rear... Example of using a balanced lever approach to calculate loading my math correctly the! How strong your axle axle placement on a 12 foot trailer, it ’ s an example of using a balanced lever approach calculate... Triple axles, but not for stress or stiffness calculations to 11.5 % in this case tires and the! If this is part of the axle SXS ), lawnmowers and more i doubt the angle has as to! Weight 150 kg trailer will buck more over bumps, and wag around corners,... Because you never know what it will always bend a little bit under.. For a 10-foot box is heavy of the axle and wheels, or whatever axles and pivot point should.... Much better in the numbers and complete the formula to determine axle placement there...