Where to Place Axle on Trailer for Proper Tongue Weight

Updated 09/26/2025 | Published 04/18/2025

Question:

I have a question about axle placement. Building a tear using your HD3500. I know the projected weight of the trailer. How do I locate the point for spindle placement?

asked by: Jerry

Expert Reply:

Hey Jerry, this is a great question but the short answer is that you want to end up with the axle location that allows the trailer to have tongue weight that is between 10 and 15 percent of the total trailer weight.

The 60/40 axle placement formula is a great starting point and does take into account the tongue of the trailer from where the trailer sits on the hitch ball. Please keep in mind that this is a very basic formula or estimate for axle placement. You would want to have 60 percent of the trailer forward of the axle and 40 percent behind it. Will this be an off road trailer?

expert reply by: Jameson C

Jameson C.

9/26/2025

Hey Jerry, did you decide to use the 60/40 axle placement formula for your trailer build? I'm curious to know if it worked out for you, as it could help others in similar projects.