Using Vehicle Axles

[Larry Messaros]

I have been looking at axles and a previous post got me thinking, maybe what I should be looking for is an axle out of a Caravan. They have about a 5" drop, would come with springs, shock mounts and possibly wheels and tires.

A few of benefits would be that the axle width between my Caravan and the trailer would be the same.

The spare tire I can use both on the Caravan and the trailer.

The drop axle would keep everything lower to the ground. (not sure if that would be a benefit, although then I could make the trailer a little taller)

Has anyone used one of these axles before?

How about utilizing the brakes? Would it be very hard to convert them to electric brakes?

[denverd0n]

I have used the rear axle from a front-wheel-drive vehicle to build a utility trailer in the past. I didn't hook up brakes, so I don't know how hard that would be.

Using the rear axle from a FWD vehicle works well because it doesn't have the steering mechanism of a front axle and it doesn't have the differential of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

[Larry Messaros]

I have used the rear axle from a front-wheel-drive vehicle to build a utility trailer in the past. I didn't hook up brakes, so I don't know how hard that would be.

Using the rear axle from a FWD vehicle works well because it doesn't have the steering mechanism of a front axle and it doesn't have the differential of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

I agree Don. There seems to be a lot of front wheel drive vehicles in the auto wreckers that could give up the rear axle for a trailer. I thought that if it came with brakes, maybe I should try to adapt them, but it might be more trouble than it's worth.

I went to my local auto wrecker last week and they said I could get an axle for $100-150 so I think this is the route I am going to go. Hopefully next week I can get it home. Then I can get the exact measurements and start planning the frame. I'll see about the brakes then.

[mikeschn]

That much for an axle? Here at southwest wheel it seems that you can get one for $75... what am I missing???

http://www.etrailerpart.com/2ktrailerAxle.htm

Mike...

[Chip]

just a comment on axles,,,why spend as much on a car axle as ya can buy a new 2000# torsion unit and all ya gots to do is bolt tha thing on,,,newer ones are adjustable and also come in lengths or in short models that are not connected together like a conventional axle,,just a cent and a half worth,,chip

[Larry Messaros]

Hmmm. Oops, I forgot to mention all of the "extras" that I would be getting off of the wreckers. The axle that I was looking at includes springs, wheels, and some tires. (as well as all those little parts that I always seem to forget, nuts, bolts etc.........)

Also, we live in a very small town, and the only axle places are near Vancouver, so it's either $50 for gas round trip (plus a day for travelling) or delivered which is also about the same price.

The problem with living in Canada is that anything that we order from the U.S. we pay a premium for. (approx. 25% difference on the dollar right off the top, not including any duties that need to be paid!)

So, for convenience sake, I was looking at the used axles. The local wrecking yard has about a dozen Dodge Caravans so I have lot's to choose from. I'm sure that I can get a better price from the owner as well, but when I was there last week he wasn't there, so they gave me an approx. price.

[Chip]

oops ,,I stand corrected,,sometimes we forget that others are not in the same situation as us,,I got 2 sources within 3 miles of my office for all the goodies,,under your circumstances it would probably be a better route,,happy hunting

chip

[ALAN GEDDES]

I used Dodge Caravan axle for a utility trailer a few years ago. I believe the bed was 52 or 53 inches wide. Used the entire suspension including shocks. No complaint other than weight. When I was looking for axle for this tear that was my first thought. Spent a day at scrap yards looking and comparing. Any K car axle will work and is lighter than the Caravan but it won't have the leaf springs. Finally decided on Chevy axle Cavalier I think. I'll check and see what year and model for sure and post here in a day or so. $85 for axle and two excellent wheels and tires. Springs and hardware at boat dealer were about $45 and steel was $125. The axle was perfect for 48 inch width. Last coat of paint going on now and should have axle on it in a day or so. Will post picture as soon as finished. AL

[dboyd]

I am currently building two teardrops, one for me and one for my uncle. we thought it would be cheaper to use axles from mini-vans. we bought two axles for $50.00 each, this included wheels, tires,springs. we thought we were set. it turned out that the springs on these axles were huge and we just could not use them. we were building our frames out of 2 inch steel tubing and the springs were 2 1/2 inches at each end, also the springs were what looked to be over four feet,from end to end. our trailers are 4 feet wide and this required me to shorten the axle. it can be a little tricky getting the axle true ,but it can be done. I decided to use standard trailer springs and had to make mounting plates from 4 inch flat stock. don't get me wrong, I like the beefy axle that I have for my trailer. the reason that I didnt use a stock axle was the shipping cost and I thought that it would be eaiser than it was to make the van axles fit. the two axle I used consisted of one from a late 80's plymoth voyager and the other was from about the same model of dodge caravan. the voyager has the bigger five bolt pattern and the caravan uses the small five bolt pattern for the wheels. Save youself some time and fustration, Buy a factory trailer axle if you possibly can. Don

[Nitetimes]

I have been looking at axles and a previous post got me thinking, maybe what I should be looking for is an axle out of a Caravan.

How about utilizing the brakes? Would it be very hard to convert them to electric brakes?

An axle out of a caravan would be fine, springs could be a bit tricky due to the length. As far as the brakes go, all you would need is a hydraulic brake actuating coupler that mounts to the end of your tongue in place of the normal coupler. Simple straight forward one line hookup and your in business.
I don't believe there would be any way to convert them to electric tho as electric brakes require a special drum that isn't likely to be found for car axles.

[dboyd]

on my caravan and voyager axle, I removed all of the brake componets except for the stud that the springs attach too and used a mig welder and small flat stock 1 inch steel to cover all holes. I didn't want a small rock to get inside the hub and make noise. This should be a picture of how I mounted my axle. Here is a picture of the trailer and a picture of how I made the axle shorter.




I hope the pictures work and help. Don

[purplepickup]

Here is a picture of the trailer and a picture of how I made the axle shorter.

http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=1104

I hope the pictures work and help. Don

Is that just a butt weld? If I connect tube I like to insert short piece of tube inside to span the welded area and drill some holes in the outer tube so I can plug weld the inner to the outer tube in some spots. It makes a good strong connection.

...just a suggestion.

[ALAN GEDDES]

My last axle consisted of 2x2 square welded to rear hubs from VW Rabbit/Golf and trailer store springs. The hubs have nice 90 degree angles for welding to. I always get my hubs and axles with good rims and tires and never spend over $100.00.

[dboyd]

I agree with the thought of a inner tube and plug welding it. I left a small gap when I put the axle back together so I could get 100% penetration of the weld. I made sure that I talked to my neighbor (retired welding engineer) and he thought a good butt joint with a gap for penetration would be strong enough. in most cases it is better to add extra than not enough. I thought about taking the section that I cut off and splitting it in half, then I could add it over the other weld. Might be overkill, better safe than sorry!

[benjamin]

I have a caravan axle that I was planning on using on this tear drop. I had hoped to use it any way. How ever when I moved my frame out to 5’ it turned out it was just not wide enough. I still plan to use it but only as I plan to build my father a teardrop after I get his one done and he will not need all of the width that I want. I got 3 axles from the salvage yard at $55.00 each and I sold 2 of them for $70 each to be put under utility trailers so I am not feeling to bad about having this one in the corner of the shop. The one thing you need to look at if the capacity these stock springs are a bit beefy for a trailer this size. Not that that is a problem but you may have to bring the tire pressure down a bit to keep it from bouncing.