Desparately need help with trailer setup

1400 lbs? I laugh at your 1400 lbs.

That's the empty weight on my trailer.

http://www.thedoghouse.net/Fireant/Time_To_Head_Home.jpg

Jeez, I thought we were talking boat trailers.

Try 27,600 lbs. Truck, trailer, load. So a little over 18k pounds hanging off the bumper. I'm so glad I wasn't spotted by D.O.T.



I took out a lift pump on that one.

Or this baby is 4500#'s empty


No idea about the weight, but this pulled like poo.

Brian- If you want a little project run this through your buddies CAD program. I've got a bit more bounce in the tounge of the trailer than I would like. My thought is that I'll add a truss to the underside. I was thinking 2" x 1/4" flat stock running from just forward of where the plug in is to aft of the axle 18". The truss would be 2" tall, with vertical supports every 20" or so.

That is a boat trailer.... Or maybe more specifically, a toy trailer. Normally there are two kayaks on the roof rack. The inside if full of windsurfers. I can get a Wave (in pieces) inside.

When I head south for Thanksgiving, I regularly roll the scale at 15k lbs.

I can top your 27k lbs, but won't admit having actually done it since I'd then be accused of rampant stupidity. Plus I'm not exactly sure what a JD 7400 weighs with bucket and deck. The trailer was 3 axles. At least I didn't take it on the highway.

2" x 1/4" bar stock isn't that heavy. What, maybe 2lbs per linear foot (can't find my materials book). Can't imagine it helping bounce. Do you mean flex?

Buddy is back in the sand box. Left Labor Day weekend. Won't see him for probably 6 plus months. Assuming his tour doesn't get extended.

And for the record... When I said JD 7400, I meant this:

http://www.thedoghouse.net/JD7400.JPG

Not this:

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/GT/media/images/product/7400_tcrm_1col_p.jpg

Flex, bounce, whatever. Yeah.

In that case, unload the trailer. Tack your plate flat at the ends with a bit of sag in the middle, then install a single strut in the middle that forces a bit of upward bow in the tongue. AKA dolphin striker. When you reload, it should flatten out and ride nicely. You shouldn't need to go as far back.

If you're talking about orienting the plate long dimension vertically, that would work too. But I still don't think you need to go as far aft. A bead every 20" would be good, but I wouldn't bead both sides. Maybe alternate sides every 10-15 inches.

And I keep forgetting you're aluminum framed. Make that ounces per linear foot.