Longer Trailer Tongue - Handling Characteristics?

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Author Topic:   Longer Trailer Tongue - Handling Characteristics?

Phil Tyson posted 04-11-2005 12:54 PM ET (US)
I just replaced my trailer tongue for my classic Montauk with a new, longer one. The added length is 2' 8".
While I am aware of the tongue weight differences, prior to hitting the road, I am interested in what the maneuvering characteristics will be.
I will be taking it very cautiously for a while to learn the new feel but wanted your input on what to expect.
Thanks.
Bulldog posted 04-11-2005 01:55 PM ET (US)
The trailer wil require more distance to turn, as you are lengthing the rig, but the trailer will have less responsiveness to steering input from the tow vehicle, which when backing down a ramp can be a good thing. I made my old Newport's trailer 13" longer and noticed it was nicer to back up.
It sounds like you are aware that your hitch weight has also changed...........Jack
Jerry Townsend posted 04-11-2005 02:10 PM ET (US)
Phil - As Bulldog points out - the longer tongue will cause a larger turning radius. YOu will find that it is easier to back-up the trailer. The tongue weight will increase just a very small amount - you don't really have to worry about it. To get a feel for hitch load change - use the trailer load calculation available in the reference - trailer section. ---- Jerry/Idaho
Chuck Tribolet posted 04-11-2005 05:45 PM ET (US)
The longer tongue will only make a small difference in the
turning radius going forward. That's determined mostly by
the tow vehicle turning radius, plus a little more because the
trailer runs outboard of the tow a few inches. The longer
tongue will make the trailer run farther out by about an inch.

Chuck
Phil Tyson posted 04-11-2005 07:54 PM ET (US)
You might not remember but this project came from a thread I posted seeking input on my trailer.
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/006980.html
I still have to rearrange the trailer wiring. In re-reading the old thread, I forgot to measure the old tongue weight. Will see what the new weight is and let you know if it sounds right.
Thanks guys. I appreciate it.
simonmeridew posted 04-11-2005 07:57 PM ET (US)
The longer the tongue(actually the greater the distance from the ball on your vehicle to the trailer wheels)the easier the backing will be for a couple of reasons: less side to side twitchyness, as Bulldog has described as less responsiveness, I think I'll call less "directional panic" and also, the furher back the trailer wheels are, the easier they are to see in the side rear view mirrors, and you can see what changes you need to do to correct backing errors.
When you pull into a gas station for fuel keep an eye on the gas pumps so you don't end up buying a new $3000. pump if you cut the corner too close.
simonmeridew
elaelap posted 04-11-2005 08:34 PM ET (US)
Jerry, I know very little about physics, but won't the tongue weight at the ball actually decrease with the longer lever (the tongue) turning on the same fulcrum (the wheels)? I realize this mechanical advantage will be offset to some extent by the additional weight of the longer tongue...hmmmm.
Tony
Chuck Tribolet posted 04-11-2005 11:55 PM ET (US)
DUH, I got it backwards. Trailer runs INSIDE the tow vehicle.

Chuck
Jerry Townsend posted 04-13-2005 12:48 PM ET (US)
Tony - thanks for catching that error - and you are right - there is a small increase in the hitch load. This increase is insignificant (about 10 pounds - as I recall).
I gotta slow down - but as best as I can reconstruct, I neglected to add the weight of the additional tongue. I simply used the computer program available in the reference section / trailer calculations. ---- Jerry/Idaho

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Author	Topic: Longer Trailer Tongue - Handling Characteristics?
Phil Tyson	posted 04-11-2005 12:54 PM ET (US) I just replaced my trailer tongue for my classic Montauk with a new, longer one. The added length is 2' 8". While I am aware of the tongue weight differences, prior to hitting the road, I am interested in what the maneuvering characteristics will be. I will be taking it very cautiously for a while to learn the new feel but wanted your input on what to expect. Thanks.
Bulldog	posted 04-11-2005 01:55 PM ET (US) The trailer wil require more distance to turn, as you are lengthing the rig, but the trailer will have less responsiveness to steering input from the tow vehicle, which when backing down a ramp can be a good thing. I made my old Newport's trailer 13" longer and noticed it was nicer to back up. It sounds like you are aware that your hitch weight has also changed...........Jack
Jerry Townsend	posted 04-11-2005 02:10 PM ET (US) Phil - As Bulldog points out - the longer tongue will cause a larger turning radius. YOu will find that it is easier to back-up the trailer. The tongue weight will increase just a very small amount - you don't really have to worry about it. To get a feel for hitch load change - use the trailer load calculation available in the reference - trailer section. ---- Jerry/Idaho
Chuck Tribolet	posted 04-11-2005 05:45 PM ET (US) The longer tongue will only make a small difference in the turning radius going forward. That's determined mostly by the tow vehicle turning radius, plus a little more because the trailer runs outboard of the tow a few inches. The longer tongue will make the trailer run farther out by about an inch. Chuck
Phil Tyson	posted 04-11-2005 07:54 PM ET (US) You might not remember but this project came from a thread I posted seeking input on my trailer. http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/006980.html I still have to rearrange the trailer wiring. In re-reading the old thread, I forgot to measure the old tongue weight. Will see what the new weight is and let you know if it sounds right. Thanks guys. I appreciate it.
simonmeridew	posted 04-11-2005 07:57 PM ET (US) The longer the tongue(actually the greater the distance from the ball on your vehicle to the trailer wheels)the easier the backing will be for a couple of reasons: less side to side twitchyness, as Bulldog has described as less responsiveness, I think I'll call less "directional panic" and also, the furher back the trailer wheels are, the easier they are to see in the side rear view mirrors, and you can see what changes you need to do to correct backing errors. When you pull into a gas station for fuel keep an eye on the gas pumps so you don't end up buying a new $3000. pump if you cut the corner too close. simonmeridew
elaelap	posted 04-11-2005 08:34 PM ET (US) Jerry, I know very little about physics, but won't the tongue weight at the ball actually decrease with the longer lever (the tongue) turning on the same fulcrum (the wheels)? I realize this mechanical advantage will be offset to some extent by the additional weight of the longer tongue...hmmmm. Tony
Chuck Tribolet	posted 04-11-2005 11:55 PM ET (US) DUH, I got it backwards. Trailer runs INSIDE the tow vehicle. Chuck
Jerry Townsend	posted 04-13-2005 12:48 PM ET (US) Tony - thanks for catching that error - and you are right - there is a small increase in the hitch load. This increase is insignificant (about 10 pounds - as I recall). I gotta slow down - but as best as I can reconstruct, I neglected to add the weight of the additional tongue. I simply used the computer program available in the reference section / trailer calculations. ---- Jerry/Idaho