Why don't trailers have tongue casters?

[RayCo]

I've wondered this before, so now I'll ask. Is there some usability reason that no trailers have casters up front (perhaps a single one on the tow bar/tongue/term of choice) to help keep tongue weight off the tow vehicle? What reminded me of this was this trailer that I came across. (Attached image)

I have the desire for a dump trailer (small one) and a trailer big enough to haul my tractor. This could serve both purposes, but the tongue weight would be very high with my tractor on it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Have you ever ran with a shopping cart? That caster would go crazy. Bottom line is you need a truck or SUV properly sized to handle the trailer its to tow. The only "crutch" is a Weight Distribution Hitch. Air Bags and Overload Springs are a Band-Aid for too small of a tow vehicle or a improperly loaded trailer.

Chris

 

[beppington]

Have you ever ran with a shopping cart?

What did you steal???!! :laughing:

 

[rus_geek]

Trailer Toad, Tow Buddy, Easy Tow, Tuff Tow

All quick items I came across on Google that should give you some ideas. I've never tried any of these, and some/most look to be geared towards the RV market.

-rus-

 

[Diamondpilot]

What did you steal???!! :laughing:

The cart itself!:laughing:

Chris

 

[Renze]

The tongue casters would not make any difference in sway vs. a normal overloaded trailer. Turntable steered trailers work very well, especially with high center of gravity loads. At my former employer we used to make them, they ride like a charm and need half the tow vehicle weight, for an equally stable ride.

I've never seen them on your side of the Big Pond..

 

[Egon]

Usually steered trailers resemble wagons.

 

[woodsmith]

The nearest I've seen to what you are describing is with a specticle lift on a small recovery truck back in the late 80's. To save overloading the truck's rear axle towing a large car the lift arm had a big caster wheel under it.

The other thing has been heavy haulage semitrailer used with a dolly.

I did once almost have a castor wheel on the drawbar of my trailer. I forgot to wind up the landing wheel when I set off. It is amazing how difficult it is trying to remove a bent landing leg and wheel at the road side.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have no affiliation and no idea if this is what you have in mind but check it out.

 

[RayCo]

Interesting stuff here.