trailer specs

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building a trailer for the first time, 5x8' using 2x4" tube, I have the main frame together but now need to calculate the tongue length, and position for axle, any help would be great.  Is it standard to bolt or weld the axle/perches to the frame?  It's a torqueflex.  thanks!
Reply:When you say axle perches, do you mean the spring shackles or are you going to mount the axle rigid onto the trailer frame?  as far as the tongue length is concerned a long tongue is alot easier to back up than a shorter one is.  I usually make my tongues about  5ft from the front of the trailer with the braces running from the front corners of the trailer across to a mark on the tongue about 30-34 inches up toward the hitch.  If you have already made the frame and did not integrate the tongue into the frame I would weld the tongue onto the underside of the frame and run it back a couple of cross members.  If you just weld it to the front of the frame it will flex and eventually crack.   Good luck, ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:On your particular axle I'm not real positive about the bolt weld thing. Would depend a lot on the so-called perch materials. Some of the torque-flex type suspensions I've seen come housed in some fairly flimsy sheet metal. For those a series of about four bolts spaced evenly down the length works well. But bolting on box tubing presents it's own small hurdles, like the tendancy to over tighten and collapse the tube. Light welds would be Ideal if the material is heavy enough. Keep in mind I'm not fully familiar with all of the variations available in that type of suspension. The axle spacing on the trailer itself is usually a 60%/40% affair. Place the axle 60% of the distance from the front of the trailer (not including the tongue). On the tongue length, like hammock says, too short is a real pain. Measure from the ball to the furthest point out on your bumper/body and that would be the absolute shortest shortest you'd want one. Usually no less than 4 feet and he says he likes at least 5. Five sounds good.
Reply:Yeah, an additonal note on tongue length, if you make your tongue too short the trailer will tend to sway and such.  Same goes for the axle, if you put it too far forward trailer will want to sway.  Regarding strength of tongue, if its not strong enough tongue will flex and if thats an issue, you can throw in a bracing from front upper rail on an angle downward to the hitch.  But whatever you choose should with any luck should do.  If you have any questions though please ask as trailers are literally a matter of life and death.CHRIS
Reply:The axle location should be determined by the tongue weight, which should be about 10-15% of the total weight for bumper pull (and receiver) hitches.  Most trailers usually end up with a 60/40% spacing, but it depends on how the trailer is built.-Heath
Reply:Here is a good site for general info.  I have used these drawings like plans to build/re-build several trailers.http://www.championtrailers.com/UTIL...AILER_KITS.HTMLast edited by smithboy; 08-26-2005 at 09:30 AM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammack_WeldingWhen you say axle perches, do you mean the spring shackles or are you going to mount the axle rigid onto the trailer frame?  as far as the tongue length is concerned a long tongue is alot easier to back up than a shorter one is.  I usually make my tongues about  5ft from the front of the trailer with the braces running from the front corners of the trailer across to a mark on the tongue about 30-34 inches up toward the hitch.  If you have already made the frame and did not integrate the tongue into the frame I would weld the tongue onto the underside of the frame and run it back a couple of cross members.  If you just weld it to the front of the frame it will flex and eventually crack.   Good luck, ~Jackson
Reply:Gnewby, Yes that brace will help with stopping the tongue from flexing.  another way to do it is to cut some pieces of what ever your cross memebrs under the trailer are and weld them inline with the tongue in between the cross members for a couple of feet back from the front.   it will tie the frame and the tongue together and stop that twisting of the front cross member.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Hammack_Welding,Thanks for the advice, I will have to try that.