drawbar length and approximate axle place

[felixx]

Hi there
Just looking at APPROXIMATE details for my 8x4
If you have an 8' trailer
1) How long is your draw bar (approx)
2) Approx how far from the stern is your axle?

I know things like differing weight distribution etc affect these numbers hence approximate data is good

[dales133]

I made mine 1.6m but I wanted it easy to reverse at the expense of it being a little long and my frame is 2.7

[dales133]

And someone more knowledgeable can give you the axle formula, I used it but I don't have it on hand

[bobhenry]

There is a accurate balance program compiled by Andrew that takes into consideration what is placed where. I am not that organized I toss and go.
I have built 5 tiny trailers and have used a very simple percentage that work for me. Measure the body only

You said 8'

96 X 40% = approx 38 "

96 x 60% = approx 58"

so place the axle with 60% of the body forward and 40% to the rear of the centerline of the axle.

I have drifted to a 35 / 65 split and the towing improves but the tongue weight get heavier so it is a trade off.

As to the tongue length I am only spit balling here but I am going to guess the HF trailers have about a 4' tongue I have added 18" to mine and it became a nice calm , easy to back up trailer. It was kind of squirmy and hard to back prior to the added length.

To those that may know is there a correlation between the distance from axle to body front and the body front to the coupler ball center? It seems to me if the later is equal to or greater than the axle center line to the body front distance, towing is much improved. Am I imagining this?

[48Rob]

Bob,

The longer you make the tongue, the further the axle is "pushed back" creating more stability.

So, no, you are not dreaming!

Rob

[Redneck Teepee]

There is a accurate balance program compiled by Andrew that takes into consideration what is placed where. I am not that organized I toss and go.
I have built 5 tiny trailers and have used a very simple percentage that work for me. Measure the body only

You said 8'

96 X 40% = approx 38 "

96 x 60% = approx 58"

so place the axle with 60% of the body forward and 40% to the rear of the centerline of the axle.

I have drifted to a 35 / 65 split and the towing improves but the tongue weight get heavier so it is a trade off.

As to the tongue length I am only spit balling here but I am going to guess the HF trailers have about a 4' tongue I have added 18" to mine and it became a nice calm , easy to back up trailer. It was kind of squirmy and hard to back prior to the added length.

To those that may know is there a correlation between the distance from axle to body front and the body front to the coupler ball center? It seems to me if the later is equal to or greater than the axle center line to the body front distance, towing is much improved. Am I imagining this?

Bob is correct, this formula works for 99% of the trailers built and will work just fine.

[felixx]

Thanks Bob!(and friends)
I really appreciate it!
I cannot wait to get this underway. I think I will get a piece of MDF today to make a template for my sides.

It is all rather exciting