Tilt Trailer

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I'm building a tilt bed trailer and wondering if there is some formula for axle placement, and hitch placement to insure it stays tilted, and pull properly ?? Attached Images
Reply:If there is a formula then I have never heard it.  I have built several tilt bed trailers.  Some as large as 8' x 24' and all of them were pretty much trial and error.  The trick is to find the balance point of the finished bed, and place your pivot point slightly ahead of it so that it tilts back on it's on.  Then build the tongue heavy enough to counteract it when attached, and apply weight to the tongue.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I beleive its like 60/40 with the axles closer to the back which will give the trailer plenty tongue weight and yet carry its load...
Reply:what about a damper/shock ?
Reply:Originally Posted by RockoI beleive its like 60/40 with the axles closer to the back which will give the trailer plenty tongue weight and yet carry its load...
Reply:Originally Posted by fastcatwhen building a tilt trailer the 60/40 method would not work
Reply:Originally Posted by wannabe_welderThe bed would never tilt if you built it this way.
Reply:I have built several trailers over the years. When it comes to tilt its all about finding what you need vs what you are hauling. On small skidoo type trailers, I use the axle as the tilt point, so axle placment becomes very important. If you have a dual frame setup then its going to be different setup all together. When I ran into some trouble on one project I came up with the idea of using a coil over shock to help control the tilt. I used to shock to hold the trailer in the tilt position but also the closed. It was adjustable to allow some changes if needed. I am posting a pic below so you can see the idea. I also have added this idea to larger tilt trailers. Some of it is as Hammack said though, trail and error.Hope this helps and ask away of any other question.  Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:thanks jamlitI was pondering that idea in the shop with a glass of scotch last night, and was thinking of putting it under the trailer on the frame someplace. The balance point seem to be a bit to far ahead for my liking, not sure it will pull poperly without a little swaying action happening.Thanks for the ideaMM2123035 Spool Gun
Reply:Originally Posted by fastcatthats what i said
Reply:Hey BB do you have any trailer sales close? Maybe you could take a tape measure with you and do some investigating. Just a thought.
Reply:thanks big wormdid check them out, and the parking area where everyone parks their trailers when the are out on their machines, and found a good balance point. Turns out about 4 " back of centre should work real good.25 " springs, I put the front spring mount 38 " from the front, and the back spring mount 30" from the back, got the axle on it tonight and it tilts fine. Should pull OK too I think.MM2123035 Spool Gun
Reply:There are existing formulas that apply to most aspects of trailer design and build. Years back I was partnered in a side business building various custom trailers. Northern Tool use to sale a book about trailer design. It included formulas and facts, seems like it came with a vertical tongue weight scale also. I looked for my copy with no luck.Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:I built a tilting 8 x 14 1/2 last year and I was going to use a cylinder underneath filled with oil and the ports restriced as a shock to control how fast it closed. Long stroy shortened, I screwed up and forgot about the weight of the decking (2 x 10) as it turned out to be so heavy my old body couldn't lift it with the help of the neighbors teenage sons. Solution, hydraulics, I got 2 2 x 18 cylinders from Northern, an old lift gate pump off of FleaBay, and a deep cycle battery, wha lah a tilting trailer.
Reply:I like it.No reason to manually lift anything when slick solutions that save your back (no matter what your age) can do it better and lift it no matter where your load sits.
Reply:Has anyone built a tilt trailer since this post. If you have please post pictures. I'm looking at building a single axle tilt trailer. Josh
Reply:Originally Posted by RhinoriderI built a tilting 8 x 14 1/2 last year and I was going to use a cylinder underneath filled with oil and the ports restriced as a shock to control how fast it closed. Long stroy shortened, I screwed up and forgot about the weight of the decking (2 x 10) as it turned out to be so heavy my old body couldn't lift it with the help of the neighbors teenage sons. Solution, hydraulics, I got 2 2 x 18 cylinders from Northern, an old lift gate pump off of FleaBay, and a deep cycle battery, wha lah a tilting trailer.