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Great Trailer Demo on Weight Distribution

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48cj2a View Drop Down
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    Posted: 27 Dec. 2017 at 4:57pm
This is a very good demo on the importance of correct weight distribution...I know I have to play with centering weight on my 16' trailer's two axles to keep from getting any whipping like the video shows.
https://youtu.be/4jk9H5AB4lM
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m38mike Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Dec. 2017 at 6:53pm
I've had to do the same thing, try to get the weight of the Jeep centered over the front axle of my two axle trailer to make sure I have sufficient tongue weight.  According to the data plate on my M38, the center of gravity is in the transmission.  So when I load my Jeep on the trailer, I try to get the tranny cross bar to be directly over the front axle of the trailer.  That gives me good tongue weight without putting too much weight on the tongue.  

I've driven with a tail-heavy trailer and it's no fun.  It wants to fish-tail a lot unless you are going very slow.  Having a trailer that's very heavy on the tongue is almost as bad.  The best way is to get the weight on the trailer axles with about 10% on the trailer ball.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Dec. 2017 at 12:16am
Mike could you post a pic of the data plate showing the C/B this would be helpful for most flat fenders to visually see where it exactly is...

As many years as I've helped load and tie down vehicles on planes its never dawned on me once to use the same principles to loading my trailer...I even just recently tore the duct tape off two of our Ford Crew Cabs that just came back from our last mission in Puerto Rico about two weeks ago Confused

As soon as it warms up, I'll be sure to drive the jeep into work and hit the scales to get a true C/B.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lee MN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Dec. 2017 at 1:39am
This is why I prefer a "Spring" suspension on a tandem Axel trailer!, I can look at the equalizer between the two springs and know exactly if I'm tail/nose heavy on the trailer. Thanks for posting!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bufordjeep Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Dec. 2017 at 2:29am
Looking at aluminium trailers (to save weight) and debating on the type of suspension - springs or rubber torsion.  Appreciate hearing of folk's thoughts.
Thanks, Bob
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RICKG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Dec. 2017 at 2:41am
From C/L of front axle to CG on M38..
37" empty
48" loaded
 
2750 lbs empty wt
3550 lbs loaded cross country
3950 lbs loaded highway
 
 
 


Edited by RICKG - 28 Dec. 2017 at 2:47am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lee MN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Dec. 2017 at 3:01am
Originally posted by Bufordjeep Bufordjeep wrote:

Looking at aluminium trailers (to save weight) and debating on the type of suspension - springs or rubber torsion.  Appreciate hearing of folk's thoughts.
Thanks, Bob


I was trailer shopping yesterday myself, the torsion bar suspension is all the rage today, I do not care for the empty ride of a torsion suspension, like towing a basketball. Springs for me!.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TERRY Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Dec. 2017 at 3:45pm
Lee,
It is so cold where you are, I'm not sure the springs even flex.Ouch
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lee MN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec. 2017 at 12:58am
Originally posted by TERRY TERRY wrote:

Lee,
It is so cold where you are, I'm not sure the springs even flex.Ouch


Flexing fine Terry Its winter in the great white north, it will not last I'll try and send some to Colorado!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bufordjeep Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec. 2017 at 3:38am
Lee - really appreciate the insights - thank you!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lee MN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec. 2017 at 3:45am
Originally posted by Bufordjeep Bufordjeep wrote:

Lee - really appreciate the insights - thank you!


No problem Sir, the f it were not so cold here I'd hook up my trailer and make a video of the spring suspension, I may anyway, LOL.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ol' Unreliable Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec. 2017 at 5:13am
Originally posted by Lee (MN) Lee (MN) wrote:

  I'll try and send some to Colorado!


Wish you could.  We haven't had any real precipitation here east of Pike's Peak for months.  Many months!  Cry
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m38mike Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec. 2017 at 12:45pm
48cj2a,  Here is the data plate that shows the center of gravity for the M38.  Other Jeeps are about the same, close enough for our needs at any rate.  It does not show a side to side CG, just a front to back CG.  And this will change depending on how much stuff you load in the back, or on the front.  But I find that it works well for me when I'm loading it on my trailer and wanting to balance the load between my trailer axles.  For what it's worth. 



As you can see, the CG is just about where the tranny is.  Loaded CG is 10 inches back and 4 inches higher up.  That's about in line with the bottom of the seat frames for the front seats, and about half way back on the seat frames.  But since most of us tow our Jeeps fairly empty, the transmission makes a good locator for the CG.  I've always had good success using this as my guide. 


Edited by m38mike - 29 Dec. 2017 at 12:56pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jpet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec. 2017 at 2:10pm
This is what I have read online from studying link suspensions and stuff. If you do not know your 4wd vehicles CG, you can guesstimate it to be at the top front of the bell housing like Mike’s tag indicates.

Edited by jpet - 29 Dec. 2017 at 2:14pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wrongway Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan. 2018 at 8:20pm
Originally posted by Bufordjeep Bufordjeep wrote:

Looking at aluminium trailers (to save weight) and debating on the type of suspension - springs or rubber torsion.  Appreciate hearing of folk's thoughts.
Thanks, Bob


I've had both types spring and torsion on my enclosed shop trailers. I was always a torsion fan until I purchased my newest trailer, (8'x18' v nose) that has springs. I really like getting to the job site and not having all of my tools on the floor! Also if you watch when you come off say a curb or embankment the torsion axle can place all of the load on a single axle or wheel. not great for alignment. 
As for aluminum or not I doubt you will notice much difference. (until you have to get it repaired.) 

Wrongway
 


Edited by Wrongway - 13 Jan. 2018 at 8:27pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BryanB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2018 at 12:40pm
This is our toy/jeep hauler/ camper. It is 7x21 with 18" extra height. Torsion axles and steel frame. It never seemed bouncy to me, but it never gets pulled empty either. I have a friend who has a very similar trailer in aluminum that I have pulled. I can't tell a difference. Either way you're plowing a TON of wind. My diesel doesnt care, but my old gas truck didnt love it. Lots of rpms.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LesBerg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jan. 2018 at 11:23pm
thanks for the data plate pic Mike!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rick G Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan. 2018 at 6:14am
great looking trailer Bryan.  Did you build it or buy it already built?  I’d like to see some more pics of it, inside and all.
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