Building Utility Trailer WTF Am I Doing Need Spme Help (1 Viewer)

[gearheadmike]

Ok i just joined here to look for some help im building a utility trailer i got a axle set up with leafs off a boat frame im building the trailer 12' long frame is 5'' wide with the wheels on out side.
This will be used to haul around small stuff like 2 lawn tractors atvs that sort of stuff.
I read online that the axle should be placed with 60% of the frame in front and 40% in rear that would be placing center of my axle at 7' 2'' ? Im just trying to fig out how to mount the leaf springs i want to get a weld on kit but idont know whats the right way to mount them? Should the rear drop shackles be directly down or angles back like on a 45degree?

 

[mmuthart]

GearHeadMike, when your trailer has it's 'typical' load, the shackles should be at the 45 degrees towards the back that you mention.

When the trailer is unloaded, the shackles should be closeer to straight up and down, but still slighty towards the back.

Ok i just joined here to look for some help im building a utility trailer i got a axle set up with leafs off a boat frame im building the trailer 12' long frame is 5'' wide with the wheels on out side.
This will be used to haul around small stuff like 2 lawn tractors atvs that sort of stuff.
I read online that the axle should be placed with 60% of the frame in front and 40% in rear that would be placing center of my axle at 7' 2'' ? Im just trying to fig out how to mount the leaf springs i want to get a weld on kit but idont know whats the right way to mount them? Should the rear drop shackles be directly down or angles back like on a 45degree?

 

[greentruck]

SNIP
I read online that the axle should be placed with 60% of the frame in front and 40% in rear that would be placing center of my axle at 7' 2'' ? ...

You're close. It's actually the weight distribution that's critical. You want 60% of the weight in front of the axle. Otherwise, you'll find your trailer trying to be the tail that wags the dog on downhills.

You CAN put more than 60% of weight in front of the axle. That increases tongue weight, though, so there are limits to how far you can go with that.

Are you planning a drive-on/tilt trailer or just a flatbed with ramps to get your tractors on? That will also bear on your design, as will the length of the tractors and their own weight distribution. Once again, so long as the load is 60% in front of the axle, you'll be OK.