Questions about axle placement.

[CharlieTR]

I am getting ready to build my first trailer. It will be only to carry a fixed 300 gallon spray tank (round). Now just waiting on the spray tank to come in. I am not sure how I should position the axle, from front to back. Is there any formula for the axle placement. Also, I just read an older thread that talks about the top of the axle and that you need to weld a new perch if flipping the axle (under the springs). My axle came without the perch mounted. I will check again, but I don't think I saw any "top" to the axle.

Thanks for any advise.

 

[CharlieTR]

I am getting ready to build my first trailer. It will be only to carry a fixed 300 gallon spray tank (round). Now just waiting on the spray tank to come in. I am not sure how I should position the axle, from front to back. Is there any formula for the axle placement. Also, I just read an older thread that talks about the top of the axle and that you need to weld a new perch if flipping the axle (under the springs). My axle came without the perch mounted. I will check again, but I don't think I saw any "top" to the axle.

Thanks for any advise.

 

[MadReferee]

Champion Trailer Sales has plenty of info on building trailers and other do-it-yourself maintenance issues on their web site. Here is a link to the question you asked:

Trailer axle spacing

Rule of thumb is 60% of the trailer frame in front of the axle and 40% behind. Remember this is just a rule of thumb. Indivudual designs may vary somewhat but will be close to this.

 

[MadReferee]

Champion Trailer Sales has plenty of info on building trailers and other do-it-yourself maintenance issues on their web site. Here is a link to the question you asked:

Trailer axle spacing

Rule of thumb is 60% of the trailer frame in front of the axle and 40% behind. Remember this is just a rule of thumb. Indivudual designs may vary somewhat but will be close to this.

 

[Ford960]

Check the axle for a hole for the center bolt on the springs.
You need at least 10% of the gross weight of the trailer on the tongue. A tank is hard to figure since anything less than full will have "free surface" that will change the center of gravity and the weight on the tongue. Going uphill with half a tank could result in the tongue having a negative weight, lifting on the hitch. Not good.
The only way to prevent this is to move the axle toward the back of the trailer so that there will always be weight on the tongue regardless of the amount of liquid in the tank.

 

[Ford960]

Check the axle for a hole for the center bolt on the springs.
You need at least 10% of the gross weight of the trailer on the tongue. A tank is hard to figure since anything less than full will have "free surface" that will change the center of gravity and the weight on the tongue. Going uphill with half a tank could result in the tongue having a negative weight, lifting on the hitch. Not good.
The only way to prevent this is to move the axle toward the back of the trailer so that there will always be weight on the tongue regardless of the amount of liquid in the tank.

 

[BamaRob]

I was thinking the same thing. With a tank, I can't see any way to avoid negative weight on the tongue other than placing the axle at the rear of the trailer. This way, there's always weight on the tongue no matter how full/empty the tank is, or how steep the hill you're climbing is.

BR

 

[BamaRob]

I was thinking the same thing. With a tank, I can't see any way to avoid negative weight on the tongue other than placing the axle at the rear of the trailer. This way, there's always weight on the tongue no matter how full/empty the tank is, or how steep the hill you're climbing is.

BR

 

[wushaw]

Bama... you relize 300 gallons is 2490lbs not including anything else.
I would do the 60/40 axle placement and use your drawbar or if your using a 3pt hitch then chain down the 3pt to keep it from rising if you get a negative pin weight.

 

[wushaw]

Bama... you relize 300 gallons is 2490lbs not including anything else.
I would do the 60/40 axle placement and use your drawbar or if your using a 3pt hitch then chain down the 3pt to keep it from rising if you get a negative pin weight.

 

[Woodzy]

Charlie,

I just finished building an all aluminum trailer. This project has been going on for about 2 years but I have a habit of starting a project and then letting it sit for awhile I research on what I want to build and also time to gather all the materials I will need. I used the 60/40 rule but it seem to have a tad too much tongue weight. It is great for towing since it doesn’t bounce around on the ball like low tongue weight trailers will do. I guess if I load it with heavy items, I’ll keep most of the weight over the axle to keep most of the weight on the tires. I have attached a picture of it.

Woodzy

 

[Woodzy]

Charlie,

I just finished building an all aluminum trailer. This project has been going on for about 2 years but I have a habit of starting a project and then letting it sit for awhile I research on what I want to build and also time to gather all the materials I will need. I used the 60/40 rule but it seem to have a tad too much tongue weight. It is great for towing since it doesn’t bounce around on the ball like low tongue weight trailers will do. I guess if I load it with heavy items, I’ll keep most of the weight over the axle to keep most of the weight on the tires. I have attached a picture of it.

Woodzy

 

[CharlieTR]

Thanks for all of the advise. After I saw the 60/40 rule & link, I looked at pics of large and small trailer sprayers for sale from equipment mfgr's. It looks like they use around 70/30 or so. I still have time to look more, and I can always adjust the position of the tank if need to.

Great looking trailer there, Woodzy!

 

[CharlieTR]

Thanks for all of the advise. After I saw the 60/40 rule & link, I looked at pics of large and small trailer sprayers for sale from equipment mfgr's. It looks like they use around 70/30 or so. I still have time to look more, and I can always adjust the position of the tank if need to.

Great looking trailer there, Woodzy!