Axle & Tongue Weight ???

[doctor phreak]

ok i know i am probably beating a dead horse...but i want to make sure i do this right.....the tralier i have is a boat trailer you can see it here
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=32011
i had done some modding to it to have a square 10 ft box....now the axle sits at exactly 48" from the rear of the frame....my tongue is 5' would i need to set the axle back or would i be ok to leave it where it is at.... how does this tongue weight works ...if the axle is to far forward the TW is light or if the axle to far back the TW is heavy...i have read the 35-40% rule of the body of the tear....ie...my box will be 48" divide by 120" = 40% this falls into the rule...am i good by leaving where it is at or should i move back another 4-6 inches.....for me right now will be the best time for me to do this before i start building.....thanks for all the help

[teardrop_focus]

First of all, where'd you get my 9th grade pic to use as your avatar?


But, srsly...


There's a thread on the subject in the Trailer and Chassis Secrets subforum.


Glad I could help.

[madjack]

...said it before, I'll tell ya again...back it up to the 42" mark...too heavy a TW is better than too little...too little will cause your trailer to sway at hiway speeds...too much will cause your tow vehicle to squat...............
madjack

[48Rob]

too much will cause your tow vehicle to squat...............

But that can be easily fixed with helper springs or adjustable air shocks...

The further back your axle is, the more stable and less prone to sway it will be.

Mine is WAY back, everything properly balanced, and it pulls like a dream at 80+mph.

Get that axle too far forward, and you'll be lucky to make 50mph before you'll question what part of pulling a trailer is fun, as you attempt to pry your fingers from the steering wheel after nearly crashing after a semi passes you...

Rob

[kennyrayandersen]

I responded on the other design thread, but I have concerns about you trailer, primarily the tongue. There is a sheet in the design library that helps you see if your tongue is strong enough – as I was saying, if you have trouble with it I’d be happy to help you do the calculation, but would need the basic dimensions and C channel size. Your tongue appears to be quite long and a bit spindly. I think you will likely have to add a center member that goes from the coupler aft to about the second cross member. But that is just a guess untill the numbers are run.