Harbor Freight Axle Location

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Harbor Freight Axle Location

Postby iamcarriesue » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:16 pm

I've been searching through all the info posted on the HF trailers and many have talked about moving the axle back a bit to aprox 40" from rear. What is the benefits of doing this verses leaving it where it is?
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Postby mikeschn » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:21 pm

Hi Carrie Sue,

Welcome to the forum...

Ah, the axle location question.... A couple reasons actually.

1) It gives you room so you can place the door where it needs to be. I've have pretty good luck with the center of the door being roughly 30 inches from the front (assuming no front closet)

2) Because all the weight is in the galley, it tends to make your tongue too light, which can make for dangerous towing. Moving the wheel back adds weight back onto the tongue, and can make towing safer.

Mike...

P.S. You can estimate your tongue weight with Andrews spreadsheet here:
http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear81.htm
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Postby iamcarriesue » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:28 pm

Well that was simple enough. Thanks Mike!! Next question then would be what is a good/safe (yet light) tongue weight to shoot for?
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Postby mikeschn » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:30 pm

10% of the trailer weight is a good goal.

There's more detail in that balance spreadsheet on Andrew's page.

Mike...
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Postby rainjer » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:35 pm

The trailer I am building is 4 X 10. I plan on hanging it 12" off the front & 12" off the back of the frame. I also lenghtened the tongue 12". I plan on putting 2 batteries & 1 propane bottle on the tongue. I will carry a cooler, cooking supplies (no cast iron), stove & 7 gallons of water in the galley. Do you think I will need to move the axle back? As it sits now, it will be 54" from the rear.

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Postby mikeschn » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:37 pm

Rainjer,

I would start by guesstimating your weights, and filling out Andrews spreadsheet. Then, if you want, share the spreadsheet with us...

Mike...
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Postby iamcarriesue » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:41 pm

Rainjer,
I love your paint concept! Simple but way stylish.
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Postby iamcarriesue » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:46 pm

How did you extend your tongue length? Are you using and HF trailer for the base?
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Postby rainjer » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:06 pm

iamcarriesue wrote:How did you extend your tongue length? Are you using and HF trailer for the base?


I went to a local steel supplier & purchase a piece of 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 X .120 square tube 6 feet long. I also move the angled braces 12" forward. It is much stronger than the "C" channel that came stock.

Mine is the same as the Red Trailer but purchaced from a local store.

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Postby rainjer » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:22 pm

mikeschn wrote:10% of the trailer weight is a good goal.

There's more detail in that balance spreadsheet on Andrew's page.

Mike...


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Postby mikeschn » Mon Mar 20, 2006 6:36 am

I was a little confused by your picture... Your axle did not appear to be 54" from the rear. So I doctored it up. Now your axle is 54" from the rear...

Image

Then looking at your spreadsheet, I think you need to estimate the weight of your trailer a little higher, and the weight that you have on your tongue a little higher.

Image

That is my guess! And your tongue is still a little shy of 10%, but I'd be okay with it!

Mike...
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Postby rainjer » Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:03 pm

As soon as I get deck on, I am going to run it op to the truck scale by my house & weigh the frame to give me a base line.

I think you need to estimate the weight of your trailer a little higher, and the weight that you have on your tongue a little higher.


You are correct on the extra tongue weights. I did not add the weight of the propaine tank.

2 batteries, 65# ea = 130#
1 propane tank 40-50 #

That would be 180 # total.
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