Trailer balance point place axle or wheel centre?

[webbaldo]

Hi there,

Ive found the ideal position for my required weight distribution by making a giant seesaw of my teardrop with some bricks and a scaffold pole.

Now my question is, i've found the point on the chassis where i'm happy of the 'sweet spot' weight distribution point.

so... do I fit the axle directly on this line (point), or so I fit it so the hub centres are over this point?

to try and explain things better this 'point' i'm on about is the exact location on my chassis (about 40% from rear) where im happy with the nose weight etc. Its not the actual trailer balance point.

[bobhenry]

From the balance point move rearward approx 20% of the body shells lenght. This will give you enough tongue weight to give the trailer better towing manners.
Also the further rearward the better the backing manners your little trailer will have.

[webbaldo]

From the balance point move rearward approx 20% of the body shells lenght. This will give you enough tongue weight to give the trailer better towing manners.
Also the further rearward the better the backing manners your little trailer will have.

sorry my fault for not describing it properly

I didnt mean balance, I mean ive found the ideal 'point' where the right weight is distributed (ie. my nose weight is spot on etc) its roughly 40% from rear.

Would I mount the axle here, or mount the axle so the wheels are over this point?

[Fishingtomatoseed]

If your point is where you have the correct tongue weight that would be the center of the axle. Your mounts for the leaf spring will be forward and behind your points.

[eamarquardt]

Hi,

Your spindles should be centered over the spot that gives you the weight distribution that you desire. With a conventional axle the axle (crossmember) and spindle are in alignment. With a torsion axle the cross member is fwd of the spindles. Just focus on spindle position not crossmember position.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[webbaldo]

Hi,

Your spindles should be centered over the spot that gives you the weight distribution that you desire. With a conventional axle the axle (crossmember) and spindle are in alignment. With a torsion axle the cross member is fwd of the spindles. Just focus on spindle position not crossmember position.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

Thanks for the reply, im using a torsion axle as you mentioned, not leaf springs, there a bit ancient tech lol!

[oicu812]

The axle is carrying the load, the trailing arm transfers the load to the axle, no matter how long the arm is the axle is still your pivot. I think that's what your asking.

[Steve_Cox]

Webaldo,

Simple answer to your question. Wheel Centers.

Over the years of discussion about weight distribution for tiny campers, I have learned that in Europe tongue weight tends to be about 10% of the loaded trailer weight, but in America it is usually 15 to 20%.

[eamarquardt]

The axle is carrying the load, the trailing arm transfers the load to the axle, no matter how long the arm is the axle is still your pivot. I think that's what your asking.

It may be the pivot point of the suspension system but it is not where the frame sees the axle supporting the frame, i.e. the fulcrum.

Webaldo,

Simple answer to your question. Wheel Centers.

Wheel centers = spindle centers. Samo, samo.

Cheers,

Gus

[aggie79]

Hi,

Your spindles should be centered over the spot that gives you the weight distribution that you desire. With a conventional axle the axle (crossmember) and spindle are in alignment. With a torsion axle the cross member is fwd of the spindles. Just focus on spindle position not crossmember position.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

I'm with Gus. The fulcrum point is spindle centerline regardless of the type of axle.

[webbaldo]

Hi,

Your spindles should be centered over the spot that gives you the weight distribution that you desire. With a conventional axle the axle (crossmember) and spindle are in alignment. With a torsion axle the cross member is fwd of the spindles. Just focus on spindle position not crossmember position.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

I'm with Gus. The fulcrum point is spindle centerline regardless of the type of axle.

cheers for all your answers, after reading your replys and several on a boat building forum, they all say wheel centres!

[oicu812]

Uncle,
Good points. I'm leaning towards Gus now. Thanks for the insight, I think an experiment is in order.