Where to position the load?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
Where to position the load?
I am going to mount a 1000 gallon water tank on a bumper pull double axel trailer. Should the tank be centered over the axels or moved slightly forward?
Thanks for all the help everyone gave me when I first set up the trailer to haul my old '67 F100.
Thanks for all the help everyone gave me when I first set up the trailer to haul my old '67 F100.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
I would plan to mount the tank with its centerline just slightly forward of the centerline between the axles to maintain adequate tongue weight. Is the GVWR of the trailer high enough to safely handle 8500lbs of water?
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sioux Falls Area
Measure from the ball to the center of the axles in inches. Take that number and multiply by 0.1. That is how far forward of the center of the axles the center of the tank should be.
Generally speaking, I have found if you center the load over the front axle you will end up with 10% tongue weight.
Generally speaking, I have found if you center the load over the front axle you will end up with 10% tongue weight.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,727
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From: Almost back in TX biotche
What many won't think about is how top heavy that load is as well. It will only take a slight angle to tip the whole rig over.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
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From: Laramie, WY
Thanks to all...yes the trailer is rated at 14K lbs, it weighs 1900 lbs, the tank weighs 300lbs, and the water is 8300 lbs, so the trailer should hold it fine.
Yes, the tank is horizontal with baffles. I only have to drive 5 miles loaded, and not over any moutain passes, but I do live at 7400 ft of elevation.
Just to let you in on my life....my wife is a professional padtry chef (mmm) and says there is no way a gallon of H2O weighs 8.3 lbs. And she says a pint is a pint the world around. LOL, either way the trailer can handle the weight.
Yes, the tank is horizontal with baffles. I only have to drive 5 miles loaded, and not over any moutain passes, but I do live at 7400 ft of elevation.
Just to let you in on my life....my wife is a professional padtry chef (mmm) and says there is no way a gallon of H2O weighs 8.3 lbs. And she says a pint is a pint the world around. LOL, either way the trailer can handle the weight.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Laramie, WY
I've always thought that since the trailer already comes set up with an amount of tongue weight that I don't need to add any more. But it looks like I should add 10% of the load weight to the front of the trailer. Correct?
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
You always want at least 10% of the entire loaded trailer total weight on the tongue of a "bumper pull" trailer. With higher profile trailers, like travel trailers that have lots more sidewall area to catch the crosswinds and a tall front face running head on into the wind, that tongue weight target increases to 13% to 15% for the best handling results.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,157
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From: Texas
Thanks to all...yes the trailer is rated at 14K lbs, it weighs 1900 lbs, the tank weighs 300lbs, and the water is 8300 lbs, so the trailer should hold it fine.
Yes, the tank is horizontal with baffles. I only have to drive 5 miles loaded, and not over any moutain passes, but I do live at 7400 ft of elevation.
Just to let you in on my life....my wife is a professional padtry chef (mmm) and says there is no way a gallon of H2O weighs 8.3 lbs. And she says a pint is a pint the world around. LOL, either way the trailer can handle the weight.
Yes, the tank is horizontal with baffles. I only have to drive 5 miles loaded, and not over any moutain passes, but I do live at 7400 ft of elevation.
Just to let you in on my life....my wife is a professional padtry chef (mmm) and says there is no way a gallon of H2O weighs 8.3 lbs. And she says a pint is a pint the world around. LOL, either way the trailer can handle the weight.
https://www.quora.com/How-much-does-...sh-water-weigh
And what Tom said......AT LEAST/ NO LESS THAN 10% of the gross weight of the trailer and load needs to be on the tongue, or you will have a tail wagging the dog effect!! And being that heavy it would definitely push you around!!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Laramie, WY
Now I understand why it needs to be slighly ahead of the axels center line. Thanks again for all your help. If you lived around here I would happuly bring you some free samples when the bakery we are buildong eventually opens.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
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From: Wyoming
Turbo, send me a PM with the name of your shop when it's open. I cruise through Laramie at least a couple times a year and I'll stop by. I have family in Wyoming (but not in Laramie itself) so I'll spread the word.
Go Pokes! UW - '88
Go Pokes! UW - '88
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
No need to hide the name of the bakery, it will be called Golden Prarie Bakery, the address is 26 BWJ Rd, but that isn't anything more than a dirt road onto my land that used to be part of the Johnson 99 Ranch. The bakery is a small red building with a green roof that can be seen from the corner of Hwy 130 and Herrick Lane
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,002
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From: SW ON, Canada
Well she's wrong ... er unaware that there are different "pints" around the world i.e. American, British etc. Had this same discussion with my B-I-L a few weeks back after he made the statement "a pint is a pint the world around".