Calculating hitch weight questions?

[PhotoWrangler]

I’m planning to build a small, hard side camping trailer. Somewhere between a tear drop, and a small travel trailer. My original plan was a 5x8 trailer base, but I’m thinking about stretching that out to 6x10. I don’t expect the total weight to be more than 1200-1500 lbs including gear.

my question is about hitch weight? How do you figure out where to place the axle for proper weight distribution?

Any tips or formulas to share?

 

[smritte]

I'm sure you will get a few opinions on this.
I normally center my axle under the box and run my hitch length almost half my box length. Example, 100 inch box, hitch will be 40-50 inch long, making the whole thing 140-150 inch long. If you want a bit better higher speed road manners, move the axle back from 1/2 to 2/3 of the box length. This is also optimum if you have a bunch of weight on the very back.

If you review the first part of my build thread in my sig, you will see how i'm balancing mine. Without my battery and spare tire in the front, I have about 50 pounds of tongue weight. I want my final weight to be around 100 pounds. I would rather come up light and have to add some steel in, than to end up too heavy on the front. When I'm done, I will take it out and check the balance on the highway and add in weight if I need it.

 

[Billiebob]

Depends on how you load it but for an even load, on a 10' "living / cargo" area, the standard is the axle centerline 4' in from the trailer end or 6' back from the trailer front.

The biggest factor is, how will you load it, where will heavy items be placed.....
ie, tools, battery, cooler, water, spare? But you want 60% of the weight in front of the axle.