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I'm trying to figure out the math behind where to place the axles on a long 26-28ft deck single car hauler that will also serve as an ATV/motorcycle hauler at the same time.
Facts:
-Truggy weight is 5500lbs +/- 100lbs, and measures in at 18ft (126" WB).
-Two motorcycles that are 800lbs wet each, and come in at almost 9ft from tip to tip with 65-67" WB.
I haven't quite decided yet if I want to load the motorcycles on sideways or lengthwise, but I'm leaning more towards sideways and having a wide trailer (102" deck with drive over fenders).
Questions:
1. If I load the motorcycles on sideways I have the option of putting them either in front of the buggy and load the buggy on the rear over the axles, or I can load them behind the buggy and over the axles which would put the buggy more towards the front. Which is a better scenario for safety, proper weight distribution and smooth highway driving?
2. Assuming question 2 is answered, where to place the axles? I found I can get 7k axles for the same price as 6k axles, so assuming two of them with matching leaf springs and a 14k pound weight rating, what is a good rule of thumb for axle placement? My last utility trailer I built I ended up with a 60/40 split and IMO I would have been better off 65/35 or 70/30, with the axle more towards the rear. I'm always loading it front heavy to keep it from swaying. At any rate, let's assume this trailer is long enough to put the buggy and motorcycles on sideways, so 26ft deck + 4ft tongue = 30ft overall from hitch coupler to tail lights.
2.1. Figure the same scenario above, but loading up the motorcycles lengthwise with the trailer, which would make the trailer length 28ft deck + 4ft tongue = 32ft overall. How does that affect the axle placement?
As for materials, I have easy and cheap access to 6" 8.2# channel, 4x3" .250 wall tubing of long lengths, lots of 3" channel and pretty much any 1/4" plating for deck material all relatively cheaply. Time frame before I need this: about a year out. (moving across the country)
Check out PJ's 6" channel super wide trailer, as it's pretty much the basic layout I'm looking for but a little longer, perhaps with a dovetail on the end of their 22ft version.
http://www.pjtrailers.com/brochures/B6.pdf
Facts:
-Truggy weight is 5500lbs +/- 100lbs, and measures in at 18ft (126" WB).
-Two motorcycles that are 800lbs wet each, and come in at almost 9ft from tip to tip with 65-67" WB.
I haven't quite decided yet if I want to load the motorcycles on sideways or lengthwise, but I'm leaning more towards sideways and having a wide trailer (102" deck with drive over fenders).
Questions:
1. If I load the motorcycles on sideways I have the option of putting them either in front of the buggy and load the buggy on the rear over the axles, or I can load them behind the buggy and over the axles which would put the buggy more towards the front. Which is a better scenario for safety, proper weight distribution and smooth highway driving?
2. Assuming question 2 is answered, where to place the axles? I found I can get 7k axles for the same price as 6k axles, so assuming two of them with matching leaf springs and a 14k pound weight rating, what is a good rule of thumb for axle placement? My last utility trailer I built I ended up with a 60/40 split and IMO I would have been better off 65/35 or 70/30, with the axle more towards the rear. I'm always loading it front heavy to keep it from swaying. At any rate, let's assume this trailer is long enough to put the buggy and motorcycles on sideways, so 26ft deck + 4ft tongue = 30ft overall from hitch coupler to tail lights.
2.1. Figure the same scenario above, but loading up the motorcycles lengthwise with the trailer, which would make the trailer length 28ft deck + 4ft tongue = 32ft overall. How does that affect the axle placement?
As for materials, I have easy and cheap access to 6" 8.2# channel, 4x3" .250 wall tubing of long lengths, lots of 3" channel and pretty much any 1/4" plating for deck material all relatively cheaply. Time frame before I need this: about a year out. (moving across the country)
Check out PJ's 6" channel super wide trailer, as it's pretty much the basic layout I'm looking for but a little longer, perhaps with a dovetail on the end of their 22ft version.
http://www.pjtrailers.com/brochures/B6.pdf