Trailer design | Part 2 | Load distribution

In this video, I show you how to calculate the hitch weight by simulating a vehicle on your trailer. Also, I show you the effects of shifting the vehicle weight on the trailer in terms of hitch weight.

[@californowoodfiredovens8736]

nice video!!! can you recommend on an online calculator?

[@user-qf4dh1kt1h]

How did you get the 12 inch distance between tandem and centre of mass of trailer?

[@rgsabat]

It was an assumption that I made. Some trailers are built so that 60% of the total length is in front of the axle (in this case the trailer is 120" long so, 60% equates to the axle being 12" behind centre of mass). But, it could be any value that you want in your design.

[@eliasrahma5052]

Great

[@nikkiyeilsismundo4828]

Goodpm sir. i'm designing right now a trailer type, which has 1 axle. a trailer type which carry a drum, so i'm thinking of placing the drum in the top of axle... but in order to lift the drum, i also added a boom with chain block... how can i present the load (vectors)?

[@rgsabat]

With the boom, the problem now becomes 2D rather than 1D for the force vectors. Regardless, the magnitude of the weight (or force) vectors of the barrel lifted by the boom will still be equal to the weight of the boom and the barrel. The only difference will be that it will be decomposed into X and Y directions at the base of the boom. This should not affect the design of the trailer. The most important parameter for the trailer design is the location of the boom base. I would not attach the boom right above the center axle line, but rather more towards the front to account for the 15% / 85% weight on the hitch.

[@hyperloop7053]

Why %15 percent?

[@rgsabat]

15% seems to give the best weight on the truck hitch to provide stability to the truck and trailer while towing. It is always better to have more than less tongue weight, as long as you truck can handle the added payload from the hitch weight. Too little tongue weight will cause the trailer to be unstable at highway speeds.