Wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Wheelbase_and_Track.png/320px-Wheelbase_and_Track.png)
Vehicles
Because of the effect the wheelbase has on the weight distribution of the vehicle, wheelbase dimensions are very important to the balance and steering. In high performance vehicles a longer wheelbase is more stable at higher speeds.[1] A short wheelbase vehicle is usually able to corner faster but may be less aerodynamic.[1] The wheelbase, along with the track, affects a vehicle's steering angle (how sharply it can turn).[2]
Wheelbase has an effect on a vehicle's turning radius (or turning circle).[3] This is the smallest circle an automobile can turn or U-turn within. A long wheelbase automobile or truck cannot turn as sharply as a short wheelbase vehicle.
Towing and wheelbase
If the vehicle is towing a trailer (in British English a caravan) the weight distribution of the trailer is critical.[4] If too much of the trailer's weight, called "tongue weight", presses down on the vehicle's tow hitch (more than 15 percent) it can cause the vehicle to go out of control.[4] Too little tongue weight (less than 10 percent) can cause the trailer to sway from side to side.[4] this in turn can make the vehicle difficult or even impossible to control. The shorter the wheelbase the more quickly these forces can cause a loss of control. A longer wheelbase vehicle is generally more desirable for towing. Each vehicle has a tow rating showing how much weight it can tow safely.[5]
Appearance
A vehicle's wheelbase is also important to the overall aesthetic appeal of a automobile design. Wheelbase is part of the balance and proportion of an automobile.[6] Some Luxury vehicles are offered with long wheelbases to increase the spaciousness and luxury of the vehicle. This is found most often on full-size cars. In contrast, coupé varieties of the some vehicles such as the Honda Accord are usually built on shorter wheelbases than the sedans they are based on.