My tongue is too heavy. I can't move it by myself

[Micro469]

To Len, Andrew, Doug, Mike, and anyone else that has built multiple trailers and are mathematically inclined.......

You all know my trailer.


As I'm getting older I'm finding it harder and harder to move this sucker by myself. I'm wondering if I move the box back if that will make the tongue lighter. I can move it back about 9" , thereby increasing the length of the tongue, but due to the style of the trailer I'm going to have to move the wheels back by the same amount . this is where the math comes into play as far as I can see... we start working with fulcrums and other fancy stuff that I've forgotten many years ago.
I guess my question is.. If I move the wheels and the box back 9".... will that make the tongue lighter because it will be longer or will it not make a difference at all??

[Gage]

If you move the axle back it will make the tongue heavier because now you will have more mass forward of the axle. What you want is more weight behind the axle.

[Micro469]

If I wasn't going to move the box I can see that, Gage. But I'm talking about moving both the tear and the axle back another 9" to make the tongue longer.

[Micro469]

I already have a tongue trolly. I still have difficulty moving it around LOL

[StandUpGuy]

Hi John, How much in total does your trailer weigh? I was just thinking that if it was getting too difficult to move that maybe it was very heavy to start with and that maybe there was a way to lighten it up in general.

It's a beautiful trailer by the way.

[doug hodder]

John...so what you are saying is that you plan on sliding the entire structure and axle back 9" right? If that's the case...I'd get a piece of material and clamp it to the bottom of the frame and see if the additional 9" is really going to give you the advantage you want, before you do all the work. Check it with a bathroom scale to see if it's going to be workable. To do any calculations mathematically, someone is going to need dimensions and weights. Can you not move it on concrete or the lawn as shown.

I only did enough physics to get a degree in Geology, so probably aren't the best person to get an opinion from.

4 options....prior to moving it
1. can you lighten the load in the tongue box by arranging differently or removing items?
2. air up the tires with more pressure to cut rolling resistance, trailer and dolly
3. Set a 95# sack of cement in the galley to balance
4. Work out more....

That's all I got....Doug

[bohemian]

John
What Gage said!
It looks like it's time to get a motorized tongue trolley.
The only other thing I thought of when I had the same problem is to add a really heavy bumper.
Or switch from your aluminum pots and pan to cast iron, or maybe start collecting dutch ovens.
You've done a fantastic job on your trailer I wouldn't change a thing.
Cant wait to see it up close.
Wayne

[StandUpGuy]

I know we are working under the theory that the tongue is too heavy but the idea of adding weight to the trailer to make it easier to move is counter intuitive. If you have a propane tank in front how about removing it? Do you camp mostly in developed sights with electricity? If so how about removing the battery?

These are just ideas.

[Trackstriper]

John,

As others have indicated, look for some weight in the tongue box that can be moved aft. Holy cow, you've got a lot of pictures, but sorting through them I see you battery appears to be on the lower right hand (curb) side of the box. Could you leave the rest of the electrical where it is and simply move the battery to the lower curbside cabinet in the galley? You'd lose some storage, but maybe the cabinet is deep enough to handle the battery sideways and the cabinet could be just a little shallower.

It wouldn't take much to find out if this would help your balance....just unhook the battery and set it in or near the cabinet. If this seems feasible you could run moderate sized wires aft from the tongue box and work out some venting for the battery. The major hiccup might be if you have an inverter in the box...those draw a fair number of amps and would require a heavy set of wires running aft.

This would be a whole lot less work than trying to relocate the frame under the body.

[StandUpGuy]

If a trolley is being used I am not sure it has to do with where the weight is located. The tongue is not being hand lifted and pulled. Moving the trailer on bumpy grass is not so easy. Is this the teraine that the trailer is being pulled on?

[Micro469]

Good thoughts all, I know if I remove my tongue box its a lot lighter at the hitch. I can actually lift it. But Dang... I'd hate to give up the storage. Yes, I can move the battery to the galley with very little trouble. All my circuits are back there. I can also make a smaller tongue box that is a lot lighter too.
But I'm thinking along the lines of a fulcrum (grade 10 math) where a short pole is harder to lift something than a longer one. Does that even apply in this case???????

[StandUpGuy]

But I'm thinking along the lines of a fulcrum (grade 10 math) where a short pole is harder to lift something than a longer one. Does that even apply in this case???????

I thought your problem was rolling it with the trolly? Is it really more about lifting it to put it on the trolly?

[Lesbest]

Well.... if you can't move your tongue, you probably won't get into too much trouble

Les

[caseydog]

If I wasn't going to move the box I can see that, Gage. But I'm talking about moving both the tear and the axle back another 9" to make the tongue longer.

If you move both the camper and the axle back, you may not gain anything. To make the tongue lighter, you would need to move the body mass backward, while keeping the axle where it is -- I think.

Maybe Andrew will chime in. He is the engineer and physics guru on this forum.

CD

[Steve_Cox]

John,
I sometimes put down pieces of plywood to roll a trailer across the lawn. You might try putting more air in your tongue dolly tires, they look a little soft.