How To Determine Axle Placement on a Single Axle Trailer

Published 11/03/2017

Question:

we have trailer were we need to know were to install the axle correctly

asked by: Sandra

Expert Reply:

The recommended placement of an axle on a single axle trailer will be determined by tongue weight. There are two formulas to determine axle placement. One formula is for trailers with a tongue weight (TW) greater than 10% of the gross trailer weight (GTW) and the other formula is for trailers with a TW less than 10% of the GTW. You can find each of these formulas pictured below.

Before you can use either of these formulas you will need to have the axle already placed under the trailer. The starting location of the axle will need to be placed back from the trailer tongue 60% of the overall length of the trailer. For a trailer measuring 20' or 240" long, the starting axle location will be about 12' or 144" back from the tongue of the trailer. Once the axle is in the general location, you can then use the formula to determine the exact placement.

expert reply by: Conner L