Trition TC167 axle placement

[Turtle]

Anyone here with a Triton TC167 single axle ever move the axle?

I picked up my TC167 last fall and have used it for just one winter now. I really really like this trailer. It's just the right size and does everything I need it to do. However ... things can get a bit squirrelly with it when towing it empty, especially when it's windy. It is a very light trailer (only 1065 lbs when empty), and being that light for an enclosed trailer, I'm sure it doesn't take much wind to move it around. But when it has any sort of load in the trailer, it tows beautifully.

So here's my thought ... I wonder if I relocated the axle, would it tow better unloaded? I plan to use it occasionally throughout the summer for other items, and it will get used empty to go pick stuff up. I checked what the empty tongue weight is this weekend. It's only 40 lbs at the coupler. Using the 10% rule for tongue weight, it should be closer to 100 lbs. So I did some math and it would only take relocating the axle back about 10" to come closer to that number.

Anyone ever do this or experience the same trailering characteristics I have?

 

[rlbock]

Anyone here with a Triton TC167 single axle ever move the axle?

I picked up my TC167 last fall and have used it for just one winter now. I really really like this trailer. It's just the right size and does everything I need it to do. However ... things can get a bit squirrelly with it when towing it empty, especially when it's windy. It is a very light trailer (only 1065 lbs when empty), and being that light for an enclosed trailer, I'm sure it doesn't take much wind to move it around. But when it has any sort of load in the trailer, it tows beautifully.

So here's my thought ... I wonder if I relocated the axle, would it tow better unloaded? I plan to use it occasionally throughout the summer for other items, and it will get used empty to go pick stuff up. I checked what the empty tongue weight is this weekend. It's only 40 lbs at the coupler. Using the 10% rule for tongue weight, it should be closer to 100 lbs. So I did some math and it would only take relocating the axle back about 10" to come closer to that number.

Anyone ever do this or experience the same trailering characteristics I have?

 

[rlbock]

Empty trailer and so little tongue weight would cause the problems your experiencing, I would contact
Triton and ask them for help, they should have a spec on what the tongue weight should be on an empty trailer.
Looking at your axle mounting, does it appear to be adjustable or is it bolted through holes in the frame and there is no other holes to move the axle back?

 

[Turtle]

There are no additional holes in the frame to move the axle. But it's only 4 bolts that hold the axle to the frame. So it would be easy-peasy to move the axle.
I did fire off an email to Triton to see what they say.

 

[YukonMP]

If the tongue weight is good when fully loaded just throw a hundred pounds in the nose in the summer. Way easier than moving the axle.

 

[Turtle]

Got a response from Triton. They said the empty trailer tongue weight should be closer to 73 (mine is 40). They asked that I check the trailer is level when hitched to the truck. If the drop hitch is too high, it can cause the squirrelly affect. They also said any accessories (storage boxes, spare tire, etc) can be moved to the front to increase the tongue weight.

The trailer already is level with the drop hitch I have. Moving stuff to the front is rather obvious. My tool cabinet is already in the front, but I could move the spare up there too. It may help, but I'm not too confident. Regardless, it's possible that the trailer could be completely empty - which debunks their idea of moving stuff towards the front. I'm next going to ask them what the spec is for where the axle is supposed to be. Maybe it's possible the factory mounted it in the wrong spot.

 

[rlbock]

Got a response from Triton. They said the empty trailer tongue weight should be closer to 73 (mine is 40). They asked that I check the trailer is level when hitched to the truck. If the drop hitch is too high, it can cause the squirrelly affect. They also said any accessories (storage boxes, spare tire, etc) can be moved to the front to increase the tongue weight.

The trailer already is level with the drop hitch I have. Moving stuff to the front is rather obvious. My tool cabinet is already in the front, but I could move the spare up there too. It may help, but I'm not too confident. Regardless, it's possible that the trailer could be completely empty - which debunks their idea of moving stuff towards the front. I'm next going to ask them what the spec is for where the axle is supposed to be. Maybe it's possible the factory mounted it in the wrong spot.

I would suspect that the axle was put in the wrong location when built. Triton should want to get this issue corrected as they have a lot of liability if there is an accident, you might want to mention that to there liability person.

 

[TrueBlue]

I would suspect that the axle was put in the wrong location when built. Triton should want to get this issue corrected as they have a lot of liability if there is an accident, you might want to mention that to there liability person.

Buy a adjustable trail hitch & lower it down to next level which should put more tongue weight on the vehicle.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

I will say the look of my axle is more reward as compared to my old trailer. This one tows so nice you don't even know it is back there. Of course the EcoBoost pulls it effortlessly.

 

[Turtle]

Well, I did get a response from Triton on the axle placement. Mine is spot on where it is supposed to be.

So as recent as this past weekend, I decided that before I go through the hassle of relocating the axle, I'd at least try one last thing. I already have my tool cabinet at the front of the trailer. But the spare tire is mounted in the back - that's where it comes from the factory. That's easier to move than the axle. So using the stock spare tire mounting bracket (which I had to modify) I relocated it to the front. It actually made a big difference which I didn't expect. It took my tongue weight from about 40 to almost 90 lbs. Tows really nice now when empty. That puts it close to 9% tongue weight when empty.

The spare certainly doesn't weigh 50 lbs. But after I thought about it, it does make sense. Let's ballpark the spare at 25 lbs. Taking the weight off the back of the trailer right there adds tongue weight. Then relocating it to the front adds weight again. So that's makes sense of where the roughly 50 lbs swing comes from.

With all that being said, I did get back with Triton and recommend the spare tire mount come in the front from the factory. From the factory, the trailer is an empty shell with the spare in the back, which I've seen is certainly not a good setup.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

If the tongue weight is good when fully loaded just throw a hundred pounds in the nose in the summer. Way easier than moving the axle.

GREAT idea! You can get 75# bags of sand at many places.

 

[YukonMP]

I do this all the time. I set up my utility trailers pretty well even front to back. That way I can easily lift them to hook up or to move them in the yard. Light loads just go in the front. A load of lumber gets biased to the front and if I misjudge I just stop on the side of the road and load a few rocks in the front.