Single Axle to Tandem Axle Conversion

[rfuse2]

I've got a 62" x 168" aluminum single axle trailer that I would like to convert to a tandem axle trailer. The idea behind putting the tandem axles on is to allow more flexibility to distribute the load better, not for carrying more weight. The load I would be carrying is a John Deere 2210 Compact tractor. The tractor with loader and attachments fills the entire trailer, so loading is important depending on which attachments I have hooked up. The axles are torsion axles. The current axle is located 91" from the front of the bed, or 77" from the rear to the centerline of the axle.

In order to keep the same tongue weight ratio, would I use the single axle centerline to determine the centerline for the tandems, correct? This puts the front axle 72" from the front of the bed to axle centerline, and the rear axle 62" from the rear of the bed. (Give or take an inch depending on the space I decide on between the tandems for overall fender length). I was told this is incorrect, that tandems will not get the results I am looking for. Any ideas? I already have all the parts to do this, just waiting to gather additional ideas.

Thanks in advance,
Russ

 

[scarecrow55]

I would take moments using the nose load and the gross weight and it's position to find the reaction. This reaction would be the centre line of the two wheels ( not the axles)

 

[rb1957]

sorry if i sound ignorant (but that's never stopped me in past) ...

"tongue weight ratio" is the ratio of the tongue load (at the front of the trailer) to the total weight (or something like). a single axle trailer has a tongue to balance the load (a bit like a see-saw); the tongue load would be zero (ideal?) if the loadCG was directly above the trailer axle. with two axles, the tongue load will be close to zero so long as the load CG is between the axles; the trailer becomes astatically determinate beam with two reactions).

However, a reason trailers have only one axle is so that they will pivot nicely about the tongue.

it sounds like you want to stabilise the trailer for loading and unloading ? why not add a support on the back of the trailer ? something that can be locked down, load the trailer, then swing it (up) out of the way for transport. now you'd need to think about the loads you adding to the trailer (presumably it wasn't designed with this in mind).

good luck

 

[rfuse2]

Thanks for the replies!

I have already added supports to the rear of the trailer for loading/unloading purposes. They are Fulton stabilizing jacks that swing out of the way when not in use.

I was told that an ideal trailer tows best with 10-15% tongue weight. With the many combinations of various attachments, and thier weights, loading the correct way becomes the issue. For example:

Tractor weighs 1400 lbs. by itself.
Loader weighs 550 lbs.
Mid-mount mower weighs 173 lbs.
rear attachments weigh between 270 lbs.-600 lbs. depending on if its a ballast box for the loader, or a rear box blade.

Stretched out with the loader, and rear attachments, it takes up the full 14'. So this limits me to either loading forward, or backwards. Thats where the position of the tandems comes in to play. I guess thats where I was curious about the location.

Now that I'm typing this all out, I am realizing that with all the combinations, it will be difficult to find 'one correct position'. I should just put them where it would support most of the load on average ... sound about right?

Again, thanks for your replies.

 

[aviat]

There are hitches that can be adjusted for different tongue weights,like the one at the site below. It may be what you require.

http://www.hitchesonline.com/WD/wd_main.htm#Weightweights,

 

[truck]

Tandem axles are tough on tires and make significant changes in steering/tracking.

If you don't use a lift axle, then most tandem axle suspensions will have some kind of equlizer mechanismw hich is used for load balance purposes but have a tendency to get all gummed up causing odd weight transfers.



Truck

 

[ornerynorsk]

Like truck says, you need an equalizing suspension. Get rid of the single ax torsion setup and put on a conventional tandem equalizing setup. You'll be kicking yourself for years to come if you don't.

 

[swall]

Sell it, buy a tandem axle trailer and use the time avoided on the conversion project for more important tasks.

 

[rfuse2]

Thanks for all the replies!

Trust me, it crossed my mind. But, I can't justify selling a two month old trailer. Between the depreciation and upgrade to a tandem axle trailer, I'd be losing more money then if I were to just bolt a new torsion under it. The torsion bolts under with four bolts, so it wouldn't be a time saver either.

I would be interested in hearing different opinions on tandem torsions vs. conventional spring tandems (equalizing).

Again, thanks for all the replies. I welcome all opinions!
~Russ