Weight Distribution

[MuddFlapp]

If my pin weight is 3000 lbs. and I load a 1000 lb horse behind the rear axle is my pin weight now 2000 lbs. ?



Also, I’m thinking if I add 1000 lbs directly behind the cab the front axle take some of that weight but I don’t know how much. Anyone have an idea?

 

[HBarlow]

Basically, yes, generally speaking weight behind the trailer axles reduces tongue weight. The precise weights depend on axle location which is the fulcrum point.

But it is a bad idea for trailer stability. Adding weight behind the trailer axles makes for a very poor handling trailer. The trailer will probably wander back and forth in a continuing swing while being towed heavy at the rear. It can be unstable and unsafe.

The accurate way to determine how much bed load is carried on the front wheels is to weigh the truck before and after on a certified scale.

 

[Hoefler]

Not exactly. If you have the measurements from hitch to center of suspension to rear of your trailer. Also need the hitch weight, axle weight and gross weight. Then we can do the math.



Havey was quicker to click. Everything he said plus above.

 

[Mark31]

To take 1000 pounds off the pin or ball weight, wouldn't you have to move the horse behind the center of the axles the same distance as it is to the center of the ball? Dat's de way seesaws work anyway, ain't it?

 

[MuddFlapp]

But it is a bad idea for trailer stability. Adding weight behind the trailer axles makes for a very poor handling trailer.



Not to worry, there's plenty of weight to compensate, like the horse standing in the next stall forward. But I see the point about the percentage being proportional to the position of the axles.



But what about the weight behind the cab, how much of that will be taken by the front axle?



By the by, all weights in this question are basically examples only, I have the empty scale weights and next time I'm loaded I'll get that weight also.

 

[MuddFlapp]

Not exactly. If you have the measurements from hitch to center of suspension to rear of your trailer. Also need the hitch weight, axle weight and gross weight. Then we can do the math.



Havey was quicker to click. Everything he said plus above.

These are the scale weights and trailer length.



Trailer length from hitch to center of suspention: 25' Length behind center of suspention: 8'

Gross weight: 9740 lbs.

Axle weight: 6440 lbs.

Hitch weight: 3100



Can you do the math on adding 1000 lbs in the rear of the trailer?



Thanks

 

[Road Dog]

It's just a simple ratio. If the horse is right at the back then it's effect at the hitch would be 1000 * (8/25) = 320. Of course the horse is only at the back for the brief instance that it's climbing aboard. It's center would be around 4' from the end so that would be 1000 * (4/25) = 160.

 

[Hoefler]

You are carrying 32% of your total load on the hitch. Adding the horse approx. 4' behind center of suspension, you will be removing approx. 14% of the weight of the horse from the hitch to the axles, about 140 pounds will be added to the axles plus the 1000 pounds of the horse.



Example scenario:

hitch 2960

axles 7580

gross 10740



Just rough numbers, but it should be close.



Hope this helps.

 

[MuddFlapp]

Yes, it does, thanks for taking the time.

 

[HBarlow]

32% of gross trailer weight on the hitch ball is very strange for a conventional trailer. Normal tongue weights on a conventional are around 10% to 15%. Are you sure about those figures?

 

[NIsaacs]

Gene, the same formula used on the trailer will work on your weight in the bed behind the cab. Not knowing what your wheel base is, short bed, long bed two door or four door, I will just use 15 feet for an example.



If you use the 1000 lbs you mentioned, and if it is five feet in front of your rear axle and 10 feet behind your front axle you will add one third, or 333 lbs to the front and two thirds, or 666 lbs to the rear.



Nick

 

[Kirwin]

Axle weights

When I added the 98 gallon transfer flow I weighed the truck with the tank full and empty search "98 gallon transfer flow axle weights" with Kirwin as the poster and that may help with the front axle portion of your question. There are some pictures to show where in the bed my tank is. Keep in mind the front axle is close to GAWR most of the time with a CTD over it. Kirwin

 

[AH64ID]

32% of gross trailer weight on the hitch ball is very strange for a conventional trailer. Normal tongue weights on a conventional are around 10% to 15%. Are you sure about those figures?

His original post mentioned pin weight, which would lead me to thing 5er or gooseneck for a stock/horse trailer. Looking at the specs I wouldn't be surprised if its a horse trailer with living quarters, thus the slightly higher pin weight when empty.

 

[Mark31]

Gene Earl, I measured my 3 horse slant (Gore 970). Overall was about 27. 5' and about 5. 5' behind the middle of the tires, so I'm guessing, like AH64ID, that you have a 3 or maybe 4 horse with living quarters. I don't think a 1000 lb. horse is going to have very much effect on anything, regardless of which stall he's in. Until you can get to a scale and weigh your rig with the horse in each stall, try measuring the height of your truck's bumper with him in each stall. If the heaviest part of the LQ is toward the truck, you might tell a little difference. Edit: Brain fade! If the heaviest part of the LQ is toward the TRAILER AXLES, you might be able to tell some difference. Whew! Mark

 

[MuddFlapp]

32% of gross trailer weight on the hitch ball is very strange for a conventional trailer. Normal tongue weights on a conventional are around 10% to 15%. Are you sure about those figures?

This is a Goose Neck Horse Trailer with full living quarters. (3 horse stalls)



33' total length (25' box) and 8' wide.



As per CAT scale at Flying J



1st weigh: Steering axle 5060 lb

Drive axle 6320 lb

Trailer axle 6640 lb

Gross 18020 lb



2nd weigh: Steering axle 5040 lb

Drive axle 3220 lb

Trailer axle n/a

Gross 8260



This is Basically empty, two people 1/2 tank of fuel, no water of horses etc.

 

[HBarlow]

1000 lbs. of horse carried behind the axles of a heavy four horse gooseneck trailer rather than before the axles will change trailer balance and kingpin weight very little due to the heavy steel structure that makes up the gooseneck.

 

[AH64ID]

If you can find a closed weight station that has the scales turned on you can do some experimenting.

Park the drive axle on the scale and move the horse from one stall to another watching the weight, but I doubt you will have much effect on the overall loading.

 

[MuddFlapp]

Let me thank you for all the input, as usuall I can allways count on good advise and ideas.



As soon as I get the chance I'll ease on by the flying J with a full load and see exactly how the numbers shake out.



Thanks again,