Axle Placement

**GU2001** · 11th January 2012, 10:00 AM

Hi Guys,
Just after some advice. I have read that the centre line of axle should be placed back 25mm for every 300mm of trailer box length. My question is, If you are putting on a large tool box (similar width to the trailer box), Do you include this in the length of the Trailer box when doing the axle placement???
I am currently designing an off road camper with a 2400x1800 ally canopy to sit on top for sleeping etc
I have sourced some longer than normal ~905mm off road trailer springs and will be sheeting the floor and the sides of the trailer with 3mm and 2mm ally flat sheet
In front of the trailer box there will be a 200mm wide box to house 4 Jerrys and a 600mm widex650mm high tool box with side opening door (drop down) on LHS and Lift up lid on RHS. The LHS will be for fridge on a slide.

Hope this makes sense

Cheers

Andrew

**Yonnee** · 11th January 2012, 05:23 PM

Really, it's up to you on how you're designing it. The 25mm for every 300mm is just a 'rule of thumb' and not a requirement. However, if the "toolbox" is mounted to the drawbar, then it will look a bit odd have the wheel arches biased to the front of the main trailer section. But if you are incorporating the toolbox into the design of the main body, then you can make the measurement from the front of the box.

Ultimately, the concern would be if the axle placement was determined by a detachable toolbox, then it would tow like a pig if it was ever removed. And if you're building the trailer yourself, you are responsible for its integrity for the life of the trailer, even if you on-sell it.

**GU2001** · 11th January 2012, 05:36 PM

Thanx Yonnee,
The Toolbox, while built seperately to the trailer box, will be permenately mounted.
I guess i will look at how it looks sketched bot incormorating the tool box and leaving it out of the axle calculations.
Just ordered my steel today all dura gal, and ally sheet is on the way. It is going to be interesting on building in side doors on the trailer but still making sure it looks good, using Ally skin and Steel frame
Ordered the springs too $490 delivered from SA.
Length 905mm spring eye to spring eye. Got them from industrial engineers and spring makers, there springs "Outback" springs look better than typical and Alko off-road springs
Cheers
Andrew

**Yonnee** · 12th January 2012, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by GU2001

I guess i will look at how it looks sketched bot incormorating the tool box and leaving it out of the axle calculations.

That's what I was going to suggest. See what it looks like on paper, and then decide which way to go from there. My thoughts would be to centre the axle in the main body of the trailer (without the box), and have the box sitting on the drawbar.
- I've just done 3 quick freehand sketchs and the only way it looks right to my eyes is with the axle centred in the main body. It looked OK with the box incorporated into the main box (without a dividing line) and the axle centred in the whole lot, but as soon as I added a camper top over just the main body, it looked wrong.

Ordered the springs too $490 delivered from SA.
Length 905mm spring eye to spring eye. Got them from industrial engineers and spring makers, there springs "Outback" springs look better than typical and Alko off-road springs
Cheers
Andrew

Industrial Srings are a good company. Dealt with them both at Melbourne Trailer & Caravan Supplies and at autObarn.

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