boggen
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2011
- Messages
- 3,789
- Location
- Trivoli, IL
- Tractor
- SSTT (Sideways Snake Tain Tractor) and STB (sideways train box) tractor, dirt harvester
one thing that trailers lack are shocks. and any suspension comes from some leaf springs. leaf springs being more rigid and when trailer is empty. basically causes trailer to jump up and down. when a tire on trailer hits a bump. vs the springs giving some allowing tires to roll over the bump.
once you get weight on the trailer. and in that weight on the springs. so when tires on trailer do go over bumps. the leaf springs actually "flex" causing the trailer tires to never come off the road but rather just roll over the bump. and folks generally experience much better ride once weight is placed on the trailer.
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the current double axle trailer i have now, the wheels are almost centered between front and back of trailer. and for me, it seems to help if i raise the ball hitch/receiver up a couple inches to bring front tires on trailer up off the ground just barely. gives smooth ride when empty. doing this causes more tongue weight. and more weight to be placed on rear axle / leaf springs / tires. allowing the leaf springs to "flex" keeping trailer tires on the ground. vs trailer jumping off the ground when tires hit a bump.
on trailers where, trailer tires are further back on the trailer vs more near center, you might try dropping the ball hitch / receiver. so trailer front end is lower than rear. to bring the rear tires off the ground just barely or take weight off of rear tires some for a smoother ride when trailer is empty.
other words to above 2 paragraphs, it would be like turning a double axle trailer into a single axle trailer. by adjusting the ball hitch / receiver height to change tilt angle of the trailer.
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since i have added a locked tool box to front of trailer. the extra 100lbs of weight has caused trailer to run extra smoother. without any adjustments to ball hitch / receiver empty or loaded up. that 100lbs changed difference between being in a vibrating chair, to seating down and just sinking into a cushy chair.
with above, you might want to think about ramps you use, and were you store the ramps. adding extra weight on rear of trailer to hold ramps = less tongue weight. perhaps going with a lighter made ramps, or moving axles on trailer further back on trailer to allow more tongue weight when trailer is empty / very light load on it. perhaps just welding / bolting on some weights to front of trailer.
once you get weight on the trailer. and in that weight on the springs. so when tires on trailer do go over bumps. the leaf springs actually "flex" causing the trailer tires to never come off the road but rather just roll over the bump. and folks generally experience much better ride once weight is placed on the trailer.
================
the current double axle trailer i have now, the wheels are almost centered between front and back of trailer. and for me, it seems to help if i raise the ball hitch/receiver up a couple inches to bring front tires on trailer up off the ground just barely. gives smooth ride when empty. doing this causes more tongue weight. and more weight to be placed on rear axle / leaf springs / tires. allowing the leaf springs to "flex" keeping trailer tires on the ground. vs trailer jumping off the ground when tires hit a bump.
on trailers where, trailer tires are further back on the trailer vs more near center, you might try dropping the ball hitch / receiver. so trailer front end is lower than rear. to bring the rear tires off the ground just barely or take weight off of rear tires some for a smoother ride when trailer is empty.
other words to above 2 paragraphs, it would be like turning a double axle trailer into a single axle trailer. by adjusting the ball hitch / receiver height to change tilt angle of the trailer.
=========================
since i have added a locked tool box to front of trailer. the extra 100lbs of weight has caused trailer to run extra smoother. without any adjustments to ball hitch / receiver empty or loaded up. that 100lbs changed difference between being in a vibrating chair, to seating down and just sinking into a cushy chair.
with above, you might want to think about ramps you use, and were you store the ramps. adding extra weight on rear of trailer to hold ramps = less tongue weight. perhaps going with a lighter made ramps, or moving axles on trailer further back on trailer to allow more tongue weight when trailer is empty / very light load on it. perhaps just welding / bolting on some weights to front of trailer.
:laughing: