To move or not to move (axle) - that is the question

[Newman39Fan]

I have assembled my HF trailer, and it appears I might not have to move the axle based on my design. I was wondering if anyone here built their TD without moving the axle and what the results were? From my quick measurements the original axle position is 42â€

[bobhenry]

Leave it there but beef up the tongue and add 15 to 18".

They are easier to back up and the sway at highway speed is eliminated

just my 2 cents

here is Harvey's tongue mods

[LDK]

I bought the same trailer and I'm trying to decide the axle location too. I think if you have door clearance and a light galley and the battery mounted on the tongue, it should be ok with the original axle position.

[Newman39Fan]

I could not find anyone to weld the extension as mentioned above, so I am just going for it. I have a minimal gally plan and the door clearance should work. I am building a tongue box so if I have to I will add an additional battery in-line for extra weight

[Nobody]

I could not find anyone to weld the extension as mentioned above, so I am just going for it. I have a minimal gally plan and the door clearance should work. I am building a tongue box so if I have to I will add an additional battery in-line for extra weight

There's NO welding at all on my tongue extension (only welding on my entire trailer was making the small 'brackets' for mounting the front stabilizer jacks). I found 2 pieces of 1 1/4" angle & bolted them to the 2 front cross members. I took the original 'ball mount' from the HF tongue, turned it upside down & with a little judicious grinding fitted/bolted it down between the original 'A' frame. Then I just slid a piece of 2x2x1/4" tubing thru the old ball mount & bolted it between the 2 angle pieces. I used standard automotive strength (grade 5 I think) 1/2" bolts to assemble it. Been towed over 10K miles with no problems. Oh yeah, I did move the axle back approx 4"; I'm convinced it tows better than it would've without the move.

[fuller]

I hemmed and hawed over the axle placement and I too decided to just "go for it" worked out just fine for me so far and tows perfect, however I'm starting the 2nd build and I love this mod. good luck

[brewwagon]

Does anyone have a link to Harveys Mods or better yet have the specs on that added steel? Is it 2x2x1/8"?

[Mike Angeles]

Does anyone have a link to Harveys Mods or better yet have the specs on that added steel? Is it 2x2x1/8"?

You can check out his album, He has some good Pics in there.

Mike

[Nobody]

I used 2x2x1/8" & it works great with the short length that extends forward of the original ball mount. In my earlier post I said that I'd used 2x2x1/4" but I wuz thinkin' of the 1/4" stuff I used to mfg new ball mounts for my TV . Sorry 'bout that. The 1/8" stuff will be fine.

[brewwagon]

thanks for the dimensions. I'll have to see if I can drum up a "scrap" piece from one of the local fabricators.

[parnold]

I purchased a six foot piece of 2x2x1/8 and it was 25.00. That was for another project.. I'm not going to lengthen my tongue.