Trailer nose weights

[fizzy]

Been having a play around.
Target weight is 250kg max for a 110 or Ranger Wildtrack.
Unladen the trailer is about 110kg.
With my 800kg table right at the back it was 10kg But obviously nobody would load like that.
Table right at front nose weight was 238kg. With the pallet added at the back it was 148kg.
I think this should be fine? I can adjust the axle position but hopefully alright where it is?

 

[MoreWellie]

If you are using bathroom scales to check then be careful
Our metal analogue scales don't read the same any more since the top panel all dished in

 

[fizzy]

If you are using bathroom scales to check then be careful
Our metal analogue scales don't read the same any more since the top panel all dished in

I wouldn't trust 250kg on bathroom scales
Note the 3000kg crane hook!

 

[MoreWellie]

On a more serious note, I only recently realised there are different limits depending on the towball

What crane hook?

 

[fizzy]

On a more serious note, I only recently realised there are different limits depending on the towball

What crane hook?

The grey thing dangling from the forklift.

 

[MoreWellie]

Strange, Everything from "table right at the front" onwards was not visible when I first saw the thread. So I hadn't seen the picture

 

[Rrobson]

More nose weight generally means more stability.
If the vehicle has the appropriate rating for 150kg nose weight then crack on

 

[MoreWellie]

Shouldn't you design the trailer axle position to give the correct nose weight with an equally distributed load?

 

[fizzy]

Shouldn't you design the trailer axle position to give the correct nose weight with an equally distributed load?

Indeed so. Hence the last test was with a fairly well spread load. Table is 800kg pallet about the same.

 

[AKN]

Indeed so. Hence the last test was with a fairly well spread load. Table is 800kg pallet about the same.

If the load is evenly distributed, that is, an equal mass on each side of the axle (pivot point) i would have expected the nose load to be the same regardless of the total load. Since each half of the load balances the other. So in theory if you set the nose load empty it should be good for all balance loads. I wouldn’t set it too high however to give some margin for non-evenly distributed loads.

 

[Justme]

The problem with your required weights is that not all the components are rated that high. Most 50mmball hitches top out at 110kg. You want the most possible but not exceeding any of these:- car limit, rear axle limit, towbar limit, towball limit, coupling limit, hitch limit, trailer plated limits. Recommended is 5-7% of total load inc trailer. Personally 10% is better but most UK cars have crappy 60-80kg limits.
Set the balance unladen. Giving the 5-7% of the unladen weight. Then any sensibly loaded load should be mostly over axle with either slight bias to the front or the smaller lighter parts placed to give correct ballance.

 

[Justme]

Ps I see you have a ring hitch but thats just a bolt on part so the hitch limit could still be lower than the coupling limit.

 

[fizzy]

The problem with your required weights is that not all the components are rated that high. Most 50mmball hitches top out at 110kg. You want the most possible but not exceeding any of these:- car limit, rear axle limit, towbar limit, towball limit, hitch limit, trailer plated limits. Recommended is 5-7% of total load inc trailer. Personally 10% is better but most UK cars have crappy 60-80kg limits.
Set the balance unladen. Giving the 5-7% of the unladen weight. Then any sensibly loaded load should be mostly over axle with either slight bias to the front or the smaller lighter parts placed to give correct ballance.

It's a pin hitch. And this trailer is only suitable for a big 4x4. In theory you would need 350kg downforce which is more than a 110 or Ranger is allowed.

 

[fizzy]

Ps I see you have a ring hitch but thats just a bolt on part so the hitch limit could still be lower than the coupling limit.

It's a very heavy duty one rated for a 3500kg trailer.

 

[fizzy]

By the way tyres look a bit soft as they only have 40psi in then. They are rated up to 110 psi for full load of 4500kg. I should think 60psi is the most I need to go to.

 

[Robotstar5]

I'd chock the wheels on your table because as you pull away it will roll back and knock the pallets off messing your nose weight up

 

[fizzy]

I'd chock the wheels on your table because as you pull away it will roll back and knock the pallets off messing your nose weight up

Yes wouldn't want that rolling off. So far only being towed with the forklift.
Just getting the balance right before welding on the mudguard and running board supports.
Then sandblasting.

 

[knighty]

I'd have stuck the axle in the centre of the bed, and then loaded it (by eye) appropriately

I've got a big 3.5ton 3 axle trailer, once picked up a machine from scotland, just short of 2ton

loaded it right over the front of the front axle - back edge was just in front of the 2nd axle, so nothing over 3rd axle at all

had to pull over in the first layby and winch it forwards using ratchet straps, there wasn't enough weight on the tow ball, back of my van was trying to bounce around too much

if you're not going to stop and weigh the hitch every time you load it, it's one of things you need to try it and see

 

[fizzy]

I'd have stuck the axle in the centre of the bed, and then loaded it (by eye) appropriately

I've got a big 3.5ton 3 axle trailer, once picked up a machine from scotland, just short of 2ton

loaded it right over the front of the front axle - back edge was just in front of the 2nd axle, so nothing over 3rd axle at all

had to pull over in the first layby and winch it forwards using ratchet straps, there wasn't enough weight on the tow ball, back of my van was trying to bounce around too much

if you're not going to stop and weigh the hitch every time you load it, it's one of things you need to try it and see

Usually I am a pretty good judge of how much weight is on the vehicle. If it looks right it usually is. I vaguely remember some sort of nose hitch scales or something will have to check.

 

[Justme]

It's a very heavy duty one rated for a 3500kg trailer.

And? The ring hitch might be but the coupling will most likely be standard 3500kg with 110kg (S) nose weight limit.
Most like I said have a lower limit than you want.
To get higher limits you need a fixed non braked coupling and use active brakes.
You have to work to the lowest limit in the system.