Weight and Balance Equations and Calculator For Trailers

Machine Design Equations, Applications and Calculators

This calculator will determine the Weigh and Balance of a trailer or similar application. Units used are in, lbs or mm and Newton's
perspective. At the bottom of the webpages, there are several weight and balance application example's.

Conversion:

1 in = 25.4 mm
1 lbs = 4.44822 Newton's

Of course you can use kilograms in place of newton's.

1 kg = 9.80665 Newton'sor 2.2046 lbs
(Whatever makes you happy).

Trailer Balance Calculator

Enter your own data in the boxes with red numbers
Read o results in boxes with blue numbers

Basic measurements in (mm)

Body length from rear - A = 120.00
Hitch center from rear - B = 156.00
Wheel center from rear - C = 52.00

Extra weight measurements in (mm)

Extra weight 1 from rear - D1 = 34.00
Extra weight 2 from rear - D2 = 0.00
Extra weight 3 from rear - D3 = 0.00 Lever Moment
about rear about rear
Basic Weights % of Basic lb (N) in (mm) in-lb (mm-N)
Basic trailer weight = 100% 1000
Weight of tongue = 5.0% 50 138 6900
Weight of axle/suspension = 12.0% 120 52 6240
Body weight (total - tongue - axle) = 83.0% 830 60 49800
 Extra Weights (not included in
lb (N)
Basic)
Extra weight 1 = 52.00 34.00 1768.00
Extra weight 2 = 0.00 0.00 0.00
Extra weight 3 = 0.00 0.00 0.00

Results
Total trailer weight, lb (N) = 1052 64708
LCG from rear - X, in (mm) = 61.5 % of Total
Weight on axle, lb (N) = 956 90.9%
Weight on each wheel, lb (N) = 478
Weight on hitch, lb (N) = 96 9.1%

To determine the center of balance (CB) and weight locations following the following procedure.

1. Use the following formula to compute the CB location of vehicles. Multiply weight by distance of each axle from the reference line (in
inches), and then divide the total results by the vehicle gross weight. The resulting figure is the number of inches to be measured aft from
the reference line to the CB of the vehicle.

Center of Balance Formula

Wl -- Front axle weight.
W2 -- Rear axle weight.
DI -- Distance from RDL to front axle or center of articulated tandem axle
D2 -- Distance from RDL to rear axle or center of articulated tandem axle.

2. The vehicle CB is computed to the nearest whole inch. Any answer with a fraction of .5 or higher is increased to next higher number. If .4
or less, drop the number.

Calculation example #1

Step 1. Weigh all axles individually.

Step 2. Mark weight above each individual axle.
Step 3. Establish the RDL at the forward edge of the vehicle.
Step 4. Measure all distances from RDL to center of each individual axle.
Step 5. Distance multiplied by weight equals a moment.

Example of basic formula for determining the CB.

(Dl x W1) + (D2 x W2)

GROSS WEIGHT = CB from RDL

D I from RDL (from forward edge) to center of front axle = 20"

W1 front axle weight = 2,870 lbs
D2 from RDL (from forward edge) to center of rear axle - 150"
W2 rear axle weight = 2,550 lbs

20" x 2,870 = 57,400 moment

150" x 2.550 = 382,500 moment
439,900 total moment

W1 (2,870 lbs) + W2 (2550 lbs) = Gross Weight (5,420 lbs)

Total Moment (439,900) divided by Gross Weight = CB (81" from RDL)
[(D1 (20") x W1 (2,870 lbs)] +[ (D2 (150" x W2 (2,550 lbs)]
Gross Weight (5,420 lbs) = CB (81" from RDL)

Calculation example #2

[D1 (15") x W1 (250 lbs)] + [D2 (102") x W2 (2,250 lbs)]

W1 (250 lbs) + W2 (2,250 lbs) = Gross Weight (2,500 lbs) = CB (93" from RDL)

Calculation example #3

[D1 (70") x W1 (12,500 lbs)] + [D2 (222") x W2 (12,900 lbs)] + [D3 (276") x W3 (12,700 lbs)]
W1 (12,500 lbs) + W2 (12,900 lbs) + W3 (12,700 lbs) = Gross weight (38,100 lbs) = CB (190" from RDL)

Related:

Simple Machine Levers Equations and Calculation

Weight and Balance Calculation Tutorial Cessna
Weight and Balance Calculations Aircraft
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