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weight distribution on trailer

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:45 pm
by cyriaque
Where is the most weight on a Cub? At the rear wheels or forward of the wheels? I see in the trailer loading thread, that some people load it backward and some don't. So, which direction is best for weight distribution on the trailer? I don't want to put too much weight on the tongue and certainly not too far back of the trailer axle.

Re: weight distribution on trailer

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:35 am
by Jim Becker
The center of balance of a Cub, with no weights and no implements is just a few inches (4 or 5) ahead of the front edge of the platform. Forward/backwards is a queston of how you like to do the loading/unloading and the design of the trailer. With most 16-foot trailers, you can load either way and can place the tractor for good balance. Smaller trailers may require loading one way or the other.

As a general rule, with a simple bumper-pull hitch, you want 10% of the total trailer weight on the hitch. You may be able to check it with a bathroom scale to get a starting point. You can also take the guess work out by going to a CAT scale and get 2 weights for about $10.

Re: weight distribution on trailer

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:44 am
by Bigdog
The back half of the tractor is a bit heavier than the front. I believe the center of weight distribution is just forward of the front edge of the operator's platform by 2 or 3 inches. Wheel weights will affect this as well. When hauling a cub and a golf cart I load the cub frontwards which puts most of the weight over the trailer axles. And then the golf cart on the back because it is lighter.
When hauling 2 cubs it depends on whether they have wheel weights or not. If one has wheel weights and not the other I load them both facing forward with the lighter tractor on back. When both have wheel weights I load either nose to nose or back to back.
The position of the axles on my trailer always gives me a little more tongue weight and it tows well.

Re: weight distribution on trailer

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:28 pm
by cyriaque
Jim,
That's about what I figured. Put the back wheels just slightly behind, almost over, the axle and load it front forward. Thanks all for the input.