tongue weight calculator

[droid_ca]

is there a chart for calculating tongue weight based on axle location of a trailer?

[Forrest747]

Axle position is important for proper weight distribution.

1.Weigh the trailer (under wheels) "Wheel Weight"
2.Obtain "Tongue Weight" (Actual)
3.Measure distance from tongue to axle. or to C between Dual Axle Set (D)
4.Determine Total Weight
Total Weight = Tongue Weight + Wheel Weight




If tongue weight is greater than 10% of
Total Weight, decrease distance "D" by "X" where

X = (Tongue Weight -10% Total) Times D
Total Weight

If tongue weight is less than 10% of
Total Weight, increase distance "D" by "X" where

X = (10% Total - Tongue Weight) Times D
Total Weight

Example #1
Tongue greater than 10% of Wheel Weight
Tongue Weight = 1025#
Wheel Weight = 7200#
D = 264"
Total Weight = 8225#
% Tongue Weight = 1025 / 8225 = 0.1246 or 12.5%
"X" = 1025 - 822.5 / 8225 Times 264 = 6.499"

Move the Axle(s) toward the Tongue of the trailer approximately 6 1/2"

New D = 264 - 6 1/2" = 257.5 Example #2
Tongue less than 10% of Wheel Weight
Tongue Weight = 300#
Wheel Weight = 8200#
D = 264"
Total Weight = 8500#
% Tongue Weight = 300 / 8500 = 0.035 or 3.5%
"X" = 850 - 300 / 8500 Times 264 = 17"

Move the Axle(s) toward the rear of the trailer approximately 17"

New D = D + 17" + 264 + 17 = 281"

[angib]

is there a chart for calculating tongue weight based on axle location of a trailer?

The problem with that is that you would need to know where the trailer's centre of gravity was - and that isn't fixed. If you fit heavy things to the galley, the centre of gravity moves backwards and then you need to move the axle backwards if you want the same tongue weight.

My rules of thumb are:
- if you want a heavy galley, or a higher tongue weight, put the wheels at 35%;
- if you will only have a light galley, or a heavy tongue box, or you want a lighter tongue weight, put the wheels at 45%;
- 40% is a decent compromise if you don't know anything more.

Those numbers are the % of the body length measured from the back of the body to the wheel spindles.

[Aaron Coffee]

look in the design library, trailer balance calculator.