Need trailer input/help

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Hi all.  Long time reader, first time poster here.  I am working on a trailer and have searched the threads for a solution to a problem I just realized, but have not figured out a solution.  Thought maybe someone might have some input.  The trailer I am making is sort of a copy cat design of one my grandpa built about 25yrs ago.  It will be a double level with the bottom level being 12’ long and the top level being 8’.  The top will be lowered and raised via a 12v winch rather than a manual hand winch like my grandpa’s.  My problem lies in axle placement.  It will be double axle and I originally designed it to have the 60/40 ratio or 1” off center for every foot of trailer length, both equaling about the 7’ mark for the centerline of both axles.  Well, driving to work today I realized that with the top level of my trailer not being the whole length of the first level,  will throw the tongue weight off if I keep the 60/40 placement ratio.  Question is, will the weight difference on the tongue really cause a huge problem, or should I just roll with it.  If it is going to cause a problem, any ideas on where to place the axles?  Tongue is going to be about 48”, and I plan on making the triangle of the tongue up to the top level enclosed for storage of tools, etc.  Here is a vague sketchup I did, but it should give you the idea.  The video is the one my grandpa built to give you a better idea of what I’m doing (or trying to do).  Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
Reply:Ingenious. I would keep the design you started with at 60/40. More tongue weight is less of a problem than not enough. Heavy tongue weight can be accomodated for by other means. Too little tongue weight allows the trailer to wander around behind you causing it to fishtail.Last edited by tanglediver; 11-04-2009 at 09:23 PM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:thanks, i was thinking (and hoping) that it might not be a big issue, but never hurts to ask.  ya, pretty ingenious, my grandpa has a mind i wish i could only have 1/4 of.  everywhere i go, i will have a crowd of people standing by waiting for me to unload the top level by the time i find a camp spot.  i was hoping to keep the design somewhat low key and maybe sell these types of trailers later on, but oh well.  guess its better to share ideas than keep them and never use them.
Reply:IMO, you should make a good set of plans and build readup and sell them with certain parts you used, like the winch kit with the hinges, ive noticed a lot of people nowadays want to build it and dont mind paying for plans or kits to cut time and steps out of the process.im currently mid-swap on a 2.1L vw to a 3.3L svx in a voltswagen vanagon, and ive found a few little ways to simplify the process by coming up with a quick set of plans and a kit, by no means a full-time income, but a little change in the pocket never hurts.i love the design and can see many future potential applications. i hope you post up pics of ur build and the finished result.I break things for a living...
Reply:What do you plan on hauling on it?  How high is the second level?  how do you secure it in the raised position?  You want to be carefull with how big of a box you build on the tongue because you will always be tempted to fit more stuff in it than you should.  The 60/40 rule is pretty good for a flatbed.  Start adding more weight to the front or rear, and the original 60/40 isn't quite as nice.  I might suggest building the trailer, maybe even fill the toolbox, then find your balance point and apply the 60/40 rule in terms of weight rather than length.  I've never tried it that way, but weight distribution is the reason for the rule in the first place.My name's not Jim....
Reply:all i am going to haul is four wheelers.  the green one fits two perfectly, but its not big enough to put anything else like coolers, camping stuff, etc.  thats why i'm making a bigger one.  the second level deck will be about 46" above the first level.  might seem kinda high, but with the trailer deck being 6', it actually gives me a better height/width ratio than the green trailer and it pulls fine.  the upper level will be secured by several pins going through the "legs" when raised all the way and also by removable braces to keep side to side movement to a min.  i welded all the spring hangers to a piece of tubing and not directly to the trailer.  i think your right, maybe i should just tack that on until i get the rest of the trailer built and then decide what to do from there.