Number of Axles and Their Effect on Tongue Weight
Updated 04/06/2010 | Published 04/04/2010
Question:
Will a second axle level the trailer in relation to the tongue weight. In other words with one axle it seems the trailer would be balancing on the one axle and thus when it is resting on the ball hitch it is balancing on the ball hitch wheras if it had the second axle it would ride and balance on the axles thus placing the load on the axles instead of the hitch. Or am I chasing my tail and I should just order one axle on a generic flatbed trailer with a TW of 700. My tongue weight is 650 lbs on a factory hitch on a 2010 Nissan Frontier.
asked by: Paul B
Expert Reply:
You are chasing your tail a bit, I fear. On an empty trailer, having two axles will minimize the tongue weight a bit. Once the trailer is loaded, the tongue weight will depend on the load as well as how and where it is loaded onto the trailer in relation to the axle(s). More weight to the front equals more tongue weight. Having the additional axle will give your greater weight capacity.
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