Axle location

[Kim Armstrong]

I know how to figure the placement of the axle on a tear. Does the same apply for a standie? Thanks.

[aggie79]

Kim,
I don't have an answer but it probably is different. For most teardrops, the heavy part is in the rear - the galley. In many standies, the orientation is flipped with the light part - the bed - in the back and the heavy part up front. This would mean that the axle should be moved forward a bit. In the design library, the widget body is 120" long and the axle is 53" from the rear. The axle placement is 44% (measuring from the rear) of the length of the body.
Take care,
Tom

[eamarquardt]

The only way to really determine the optimum location for a trailer's alxe is to build it, load it, weigh it, and place the axle at the point that will give you the "right" tongue weight and balance.

Even then, you might get your tongue weight right but all of the stars might not be in alignment and your trailer might not tow well (the tail might just wag the dog).

The "right" thing to do (IMHO) is to build and load your trailer in an optimum manner in the first place. As much of the load/weight as practical should be as close to the axle as practical. The ends of the trailer should be kept as light as possible (within reason). The further back you can place the axle (consistent with a manageable tongue weight) the better your trailer will tow. When when your trailer is finished and loaded, determine the right location for the axle.

That's not to say that a trailer has to be "perfect" to tow well, but the more you optimize the weight distribution while building and loading it, the higher degree of probability that it will be a "sweet" tow.

There are spreadsheets and formulas out there that can help with your decision but they are second best to paying attention during the build, loading the trailer in a balanced manner, and getting the tongue weight right.

As Slow would say: "Just my 2 scents".

Cheers,

Gus

[Kim Armstrong]

Thanks for the info. I'll let you know how it turns out.