Welcome to TeardropForum.com › Forums › Teardrop Builders’ Forum › Changing the axle location on Northern Tool 5×8 trailer › Reply To: Changing the axle location on Northern Tool 5×8 trailer
It’s difficult to say without knowing your exact configuration (load, hitch specs and weights). Did you shorten the NT trailer at all? From the photo it looks like the TD is mounted all the way to the back of the trailer. Do you have anything mounted to the front or on the tongue like propane tanks or storage compartments?. If you have not shortened the trailer and indeed the TD is mounted all the way back with no extra load to the front, then it would be better and safer if you moved the axle back as well. Your current setup (including loaded gear in the TD) likely has a very low tongue weight if any at all. You should have about 10-15% of your weight on the tongue while staying under the max tongue weight rated for the hitch. You can test your current tongue weight with a bathroom scale, see Etrailers webpage for a how to https://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-to-determine-trailer-tongue-weight.aspx
You can also use this calculator to help you determine the best location for your axle https://www.engineersedge.com/calculators/trailer-weight-balance.htm
With this calculator the Extra weight W1 I would simply sum up the total weight of all your gear and battery in the galley area. Once you have all your measurements and weights you can play with value C – Wheel Center From Rear (your axle location) until your tongue weight is at the desired amount.