I'm aware that the fancy spreadsheet on my trailer balance page hasn't really helped many people, as it's too complex. So I've added some rules of thumb on axle position, which are:
- 40% of body length (38" for a 8ft) is a reasonable compromise value.
- Use 45% (43" for a 8ft) if a tongue box is fitted, if the galley is light or no galley is fitted, and/or a minimum hitch weight is wanted.
- Use 35% (34" for a 8ft) if the galley is heavy, the tongue is long, and/or a heavier hitch weight is wanted.
For comparison, I believe these are the values for utility trailers:
- Harbor Freight and Red Trailers: 44% (42" in 8ft)
- Tractor Supply: 39% (37" in 8ft)
Andrew