On Mon, 26 Jan 2004 01:23:21 -0500, "Gary Warner"
wrote:


So the axels that we have are torsion axels (no springs). They will just
attach
directly to the underside of our trailer. The thing is, it's not just a
straight
across axel. Well, the axel goes straight across, but coming from the
center of the axel is a 6" arm that goes back to the spindle. In other
words,
the tires are off-set 6" behind where the axel is.

For a picture go to this web sire (really an Adobe PDF document)
and see page 5 (the 2,300 lb to 3,500 lb Torflex axel).
http://www.redneck-trailer.com/pdf/A/810torflex.pdf


PUZZLER: Does the axel "balance" the weight over the
axel or over the wheels? .

Put another way: Say we had a rectangular frame 20 feel long and
it was perfectly balanced at the 10 point. (No boat or anything on
it yet.) So a straight across axel put at the 10' point, it'd basically
balance. But with our axels, where the wheels are off-set 6"....do
we put the AXEL at that 10' point or do we have the
WHEELS at that 10' point.

Our current thinking is that it's the wheels. It's pretty hard to test
because of the weights involved and we have to weld the axels on
(not bolt 'em) so we'ld like to get it right the first time.

Looking at the specs and not knowing the exact weights involved
(boat/motor and trailer frame), my opinion would be a tad forward of
the wheel's centerline, but with reservations. I have a suspicion
that if you did some basic experimenting, you would find the weight
transfer somewhere between the wheel and axel - more likely towards
the axel than the wheel, but again, not knowing the weights, I can't
say for sure.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------
The years will bring their Anodyne,
But I shall never quite forget,
The fish that I had counted mine
And lost before they reached the net.

Colin Ellis, "The Devot Angler" quoted
in A. R. Macdougall, Jr's "The Trout
Fisherman's Bedside Book" (1963)