I'm looking at having built a multipurpose trailer, one of the functions of which is to carry a Cooper S. Does anyone know the front/rear weight distribution so that the manufacturer can work out where to fit the single axle?

100/150 mm to the rear of the centre line of the tray....same place on all trailers...builder shouldn't have to ask.

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1974 1150cc Leyland Mini S racer,
1975 No motor Leyland Mini "ute"
1991 IPRA Honda Integra (in the build)
1995 Land Rover Discovery 300Tdi

CAMS Scrutineer

is that true?

i'd love it to be... having an easy figure like that will help me immensely when i replace the tray on my trailer chassis with another variant...

That 100-150mm to rear of tray centre-line is a rule that only works if the tray is loaded evenly. So a box trailer with sand in it fits the bill.

The original poster has asked the F/R weight distribution of the mini so a car trailer can be built. The rule does not apply when the load is unevenly distributed. The manufacturer is probably quite competant if he has asked the question instead of applying the wrong rule.

The weight is about 60 to 65% on the front axle.

The trailer should be designed so that there is weight on the ball when empty and loaded and the ball load should not be excessive. Depending on ramps, yoke weight, accessory (tyres, winch, tool box, stone shield) positions etc, the location of the axle needs to be tailored to suit. A car trailer for a mini that is fitted with winch, tool box, spare wheel rack, stone shield and long yoke but has light weight ramps that slide right under the deck is likely to need the axle a long way forward of the rule given above to avoid excessive ball load when loaded.

M

Mokesta, you are right on the money. Obviously the car has more weight over its front wheels and so the trailer's axle has to be brought further forward to compensate for this and lighten the load on the tow ball.

Your distribution of 60-65% sounds about right and all other factors (eg extended draw bar to cater for 5.5 metre long kayaks) can be worked out by the manufacturer.

Many thanks guys
coatsie

According to http://www.minimania.com/web/SCatagory/PANELS/DisplayType/Technical%20Information/DisplayID/596/ArticleV.cfm weight distribution is 64:36 (no driver).

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

OP stated "single Axle,multi purpose trailer"....I will stay with my suggested measurement.

Ours is 3.5mx1.8m wide with a 500mm enclosed cupboard on the front of the tray/+1500mm d/bar. Mini rear bumper level with rear of tray... Mini being 3000mm long,the front bumper just misses the cupboard. Axle is 1850mm from the front cross member.Front storage has trailer spare,2 x20Lt fuel & 2 mini spares . 1m Shelf over the Mini bonnet used for Gazebo & tool boxes.Weighs 1250kg..including 520kg Mini.Tows like it isn't there.

[& still only has 110kg on the hitch]

_________________
1974 1150cc Leyland Mini S racer,
1975 No motor Leyland Mini "ute"
1991 IPRA Honda Integra (in the build)
1995 Land Rover Discovery 300Tdi

CAMS Scrutineer

I prefer a car trailer to have enough room that I can sit the car where it need to be and no be stuck sitting it in the wrong spot some of the time.

If you set it up so that car only sits in this special position it will be in the wrong spot if you don't have a motor in it or if you don't load the toolbox on the drawbar up with the usual amount of ballast.
It helps if you can fine tune it a couple of inches each way.

I know it is easier with a Mini due to the low weight of the car but I have seen people lose control when towing a box trailer with a dozen railway sleepers hanging out over the tailgate.

I agree [partly].Ours was made specifically to carry the Mini [Mini 3000mm long/tray3000mm long [+front storage]
It is loaded with every thing in the same place every time,the only difference being 40kg lighter after a day's motorsport.[fuel usage]
Your last point ^^^,some people shouldn't drive,let alone tow a trailer.

_________________
1974 1150cc Leyland Mini S racer,
1975 No motor Leyland Mini "ute"
1991 IPRA Honda Integra (in the build)
1995 Land Rover Discovery 300Tdi

CAMS Scrutineer