Towing and Hauling / RV Discuss towing and hauling here. Share your tips and tricks. RV and camping discussion welcome.

How high should the nose be on a flatbed trailer?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 14, 2005 | 09:40 PM
  #1  
PapaPerk's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
How high should the nose be on a flatbed trailer?

Need to setup my new flatbed trailer. How high should the front vs. the rear be? I have heard 2" empty. Or maybe that was 1/4". Anyway I need to know so I can adjust my hitch. Any advice for me? Thank you
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2005 | 09:48 PM
  #2  
bulabula's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 0
From: Eastern & Western Merryland
I'd say it should be level when loaded.

Not sure what you've got, but trailers with torsion axles have to be level.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 07:34 AM
  #3  
PapaPerk's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Yes it has torsion axles. Why do they have to be level???
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 08:16 AM
  #4  
darkvader's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: northern california
spring suspension has(usualy) a equlizer link between the springs that keeps load spread on both axels in nose high/low conditions. torsion loads axels individualy, as nose raises the front axel sees less and the rear sees more weight as the torsion load seen by torsion bar changes from level. gosh, how does one explain this quickly. I will get more coffee and try again.
Clark
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 04:40 PM
  #5  
bulabula's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 0
From: Eastern & Western Merryland
If the trailer isn't level, the torsion axles are not loaded evenly, creating a situation where some could be overloaded.

Many new trailers with torsions have a little warning placard stuck onto the trailer.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 04:47 PM
  #6  
Haulin_in_Dixie's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,199
Likes: 1
From: Branchville, Alabama
Wonder how I know this If the nose is high on three axle torsen axles, the front axle will lock the brakes on a hard stop. The same for the rear if the nose is low. One lockup and you generally lose the tire.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2005 | 07:36 PM
  #7  
Patrick Campbell's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 0
From: Central VT
Does it not matter with slippers springs?
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2005 | 12:23 AM
  #8  
Haulin_in_Dixie's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,199
Likes: 1
From: Branchville, Alabama
Spring suspension has rockers that equalize the hight, the torson do not. On a spring suspension, as long as it is within range of the equalizers, you are ok.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
winfield
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
11
Apr 1, 2011 12:30 AM
cwoflyboy
Towing and Hauling / RV
1
May 12, 2008 08:37 PM
Chazmanian
3rd Generation Ram - Non Drivetrain - All Years
25
Mar 14, 2008 01:10 PM
misplacedtxn
Towing and Hauling / RV
7
May 9, 2007 05:16 PM
robert78.5
Towing and Hauling / RV
4
Jan 16, 2007 02:12 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:41 PM.