Resource for Trailer Engineering / Geometry

[CFreeborn]

I'm in planning stage of a small car trailer. It's for a race car that weighs in at approx 1900 lbs.
I'd like to read up on engineering such as axle placement, tongue length, etc in order to get correct tongue weight. The car has 50/50 weight distribution (mid engine). This trailer will be specifically for this car. Deck dimensions will be roughly 6' x 11'.
Thanks.

[MMW]

Best bet is go to local trailer dealer and take pictures and measurements of something similar. You can then scale it up or down as needed. Pay attention to gvw and cargo capacity. Rule of thumb is 10-12% of gvw tongue weight loaded. I would reccomend tandem axles but that's my preference. You can easily do it with single axle.

[ryanjones2150]

I agree. A tandem axle car hauler will ride much better.

Are you doing an enclosed race car trailer? If not, why? Once you go to an enclosed race car trailer, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to do it.

[CFreeborn]

Open for now, with the option to enclose later. Car has no roof so it opens options for ingress-egress.
I'm a furniture maker by trade so a pretty handy guy. Not too terrible a welder either.
Yes, tandem is the pref. Tow better and if you lose a tire you're not SOL in a matter of seconds. I'll need to find spring rates that will work for that. Was thinking torsion axles but cost and spring limits may not allow. The car is light (1800 lbs empty) so don't want it sprung for 3500 lbs.
Thanks.

[tarry99]

[QUOTE=CFreeborn;n622886]I'm in planning stage of a small car trailer. It's for a race car that weighs in at approx 1900 lbs.
I'd like to read up on engineering such as axle placement, tongue length, etc in order to get correct tongue weight.

6x11 is small......Race cars need storage for spare tires , fuel , parts and tools.....what type of floor are you thinking about and ramp system? all the weight for everything your going to haul and the weight of the of the steel chassis must be part of the equation on spring rates.....Don't forget brakes on at least one axle .......A simple square frame out of channel iron on edge is where most start......axles can be mounted on a angle iron platform and then slid under the channel frame and adjusted accordingly when loaded at a scale to get your 200 lbs +/- of tongue weight ( your towing vehicle plays a major part in how much Tongue weight is correct for proper towing).....Low center of gravity is also important which means in some case's a 102" axle width should be used. Tongue length is usually based on what turning radius you need to turn without it hitting the towed vehicle too early.....Lots of things to think about even if buying a manufactured product.

[metalmagpie]

You need to make sure you can load your trailer so it has weight on the tongue. A single axle trailer should have 45% of the weight supported by each wheel and the other 10% supported by the tongue. Without enough tongue weight the trailer will violently whip from side to side on the freeway.

Other than that, it's basic common sense. Sites like etrailer.com have a lot of good information available. Do your research. Maybe go spend a little time at a local truck stop and ask guys hauling vehicles about their trailers. I look at trailer ads a lot and the phrase "car hauler" is extremely common.

metalmagpie