Trailer Weight Distribution
- Thread starter teotwaki
- Start date
The demonstration seems valid, but there is an element to it that seems unrealistic (at least exaggerated).
That being the length of the arm from the rear weights to the axle in the demo trailer. Certainly this is done to exaggerate the effects of weight behind the wheels, but that begs the question as to how exaggerated this demonstration is?
Especially considering that most of the trailers that we are discussing in this forum are very short in comparison to even the average trailer.
I have an M1101, and the amount of trailer that extends beyond the rear axle actually concerns me from the standpoint of it being difficult to get the tongue weight down into the 10-15% range of total load. In other words, it seems that most of these small trailers are most likely tongue heavy and tail lite in comparison to the "average" trailer.
The video is however (as are other videos in the preview pane to the right on the youtube page) a good demonstration of why loading is important.
That being the length of the arm from the rear weights to the axle in the demo trailer. Certainly this is done to exaggerate the effects of weight behind the wheels, but that begs the question as to how exaggerated this demonstration is?
Especially considering that most of the trailers that we are discussing in this forum are very short in comparison to even the average trailer.
I have an M1101, and the amount of trailer that extends beyond the rear axle actually concerns me from the standpoint of it being difficult to get the tongue weight down into the 10-15% range of total load. In other words, it seems that most of these small trailers are most likely tongue heavy and tail lite in comparison to the "average" trailer.
The video is however (as are other videos in the preview pane to the right on the youtube page) a good demonstration of why loading is important.
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:elkgrin:
Teotwaki,
I looked at your blog page and was wondering if that's a water tank between your tongue box and cargo box?
teotwaki
Excelsior!
You are correct. Just a skosh under 20 gallon capacity, all stainless with two internal baffles. It has a hose bib on one side for gravity feed, a 1" drain at the bottom and a 1" inlet at the top..
http://suntothenorth.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-expedition-vehicle-trailer.html
teotwaki
Excelsior!
I think that it is exaggerated a bit as the trailer wheels look almost centered rather than biased towards the back. It made me wonder what effect dual wheels might have.
The M1101 looks as if the wheels are back behind the centerline of the trailer's box so maybe heavier items need to be moved towards the front of the box or onto the tongue?
It looks very accessible yet out of the way there, good thinking!
Did you have that made? And if so, may I ask what that ran for a custom stainless tank.
I'm afraid to ask as I imagine that it would be very pricey. I got a quote on some stainless sheeting to cover the inside of my M1101 tailgate (to make it smooth for setting items on) and ended up with aluminum sheeting instead!
I need to find a way to weigh my tongue weight.
I have some scales down the road from me that I can use any time I want, and I weighed my rig recently so I know what the truck and trailer both weigh in at, but I'm not sure what my tongue weight is and I'm thinking it's probably more in the 20%+ range of gross than the recommended 10-15% of gross.
I'm not sure how much difference that makes (unless it's way out of line) to anything other than the tow vehicles weight restrictions.
teotwaki
Excelsior!
It was made of 12ga stainless and if I had to pay cash would have been $300. I was replacing the original tank which kept cracking due to a poor design. If I was to start over it is pretty easy to get roto-molded tanks far cheaper than stainless. Similar to what Adventure Trailers has on some of their models and lighter than stainless.
Thanks for the insight!
verdesardog
Explorer
To get your tongue weight since you know the weight of your truck just go to the scales with the trailer attached and put only the truck wheels on the scale. The difference of truck only and truck with trailer will be your tongue weight.
The 10-20% is the minimum to keep the trailer from wagging the dog, more is actually better. (up to the max rear axle load and without making the truck front end too light that is.)
The 10-20% is the minimum to keep the trailer from wagging the dog, more is actually better. (up to the max rear axle load and without making the truck front end too light that is.)
I had thought of something like what you detail, and it's a great idea.
I was just hoping to find a method at home, but since I don't have a scale that would weigh as much as needed what you describe is what I will have to do.
I'm lucky that about 1.5 miles from my house is a sand and gravel company, and they are very nice folks (of course I purchase from them as well when I need gravel and sand). They don't mind if I use the scales, they just ask I stay out of the way of the company trucks. With a readout at the scale I don't even have to go in and get my readings. Small town advantages.
verdesardog
Explorer
Yep, same here it's Bedrock sand and gravel where I get my stuff weighed and buy sand and gravel...