Axle Manufacturers/web sites... Custom Width?

Anything to do with mechanical, construction etc

Axle Manufacturers/web sites... Custom Width?

Postby elmo_4_vt » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:09 am

The wealth of information on this site continues to amaze me, but I haven't been able to find an answer to my latest question...

The axle I bought for my project is a 3500# with brakes, I got it from Eastern Marine since they have good prices, and the showroom is just down the road from me. I ended up getting the smallest size they had in the 3500# category, 60" Track width, 64.75” overall width. Now that I have everything mounted (brakes, wheels, tires), it turns out that the axle is about 2" too wide. Instead of trying to cut the axle, and weld everything back square, I've been trying to find a new axle, and just concede that my mistake will cost me about $100 (well $100 minus what I can get for a slightly used 3500# axle). Not bad in the grand scheme of things, and to keep me moving. Problem is, I haven't been able to find anyone that make a 3500# axle in the size I want (62.75" overall width).

Is there anyone (manufacturer, web site) that will make a custom size axle for me?

Any help is appreciated.



Also, Just an update... I've welded on my final tabs and braces this past weekend, the frame is completely done and painted. Only thing I have left is to receive the body mount bushings from an Ebay auction and I'll be mounting the body next week.

Don

-
Truck: '96 Ford Bronco, Modified for off-road stuff

Trailer in progress: Not a tear drop exactly, sort of a mut of a couple different designs.
elmo_4_vt
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 3:04 pm
Location: Wilmington DE

Postby xe1ufo » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:50 am

Since you are only talking about 2 inches, why not just mount your fenders on some one-inch standoffs, spaced every six inches around the circumference? The spacers you could cut out of small tubing. (3/8 or 1/2 inch) Then fill the gap with some black rubber fender molding, or a strap of aluminum.
Dr. Steve
Central old Mexico
User avatar
xe1ufo
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 186
Images: 12
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:24 pm
Location: San Juan del Río, Queretaro, Mexico

Postby elmo_4_vt » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:59 am

Unfortunately, because of the type of camper I'm building, I don't have the normal fenders over my wheels. My wheels are under my body, and I wanted the track width to be the same as my truck... Some background info can be found here:

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ght=#49717

Thanks for the help though, and if I can't find anyone that can custom make the axle, I'll try living with it first. If it doesn't work out, only then will I cut and re-weld it shorter myself.

Don

-
Truck: '96 Ford Bronco, Modified for off-road stuff

Trailer in progress: Not a tear drop exactly, sort of a mut of a couple different designs.
elmo_4_vt
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 3:04 pm
Location: Wilmington DE
Top

Postby bledsoe3 » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:31 am

What about an off set wheel? I think front wheel drive cars us off set wheels. It may look a little different, but it might work. :thinking:
If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got.
User avatar
bledsoe3
3000 Club
3000 Club
 
Posts: 3694
Images: 112
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:55 am
Location: Oregon, Portland
Top

Postby mbader » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:02 am

I used a Dexter Torflex axle. http://dexteraxle.com/
When you order the axle it is made to the width you want.
I bet their leaf spring axles are the same.(custom width)
Malcolm
User avatar
mbader
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 62
Images: 9
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:28 pm
Location: Redlands, CA
Top

Postby JunkMan » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:40 pm

Redneck Trailer will custom make an axel. They use Dexter tourqueflex (sp?) axles. http://www.redneck-trailer.com/
Jeff & Odie
Black Hills of South Dakota
User avatar
JunkMan
500 Club
 
Posts: 974
Images: 50
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 6:21 pm
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Top

Postby elmo_4_vt » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:52 am

Thanks for all the help guys... Red-neck.com will do it, but they charged too much...

I found etrailerparts.com... $82 delivered to my door, any width I want.

Again, thanks for the help.

Don

-
Truck: '96 Ford Bronco, Modified for off-road stuff

Trailer in progress: Not a tear drop exactly, sort of a mut of a couple different designs.
elmo_4_vt
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 3:04 pm
Location: Wilmington DE
Top

Postby Ron Shaw » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:14 pm

I got mine from (http://abctrailerparts.com/2kaxles.html. Understand that they can make custom lengths at no extra charge. They were good folks to deal with and delivered when they said they would. I am very pleased with the axles and springs that I purchased. :D
Ron Shaw
Teardrop Dreamer
Ron Shaw
Teardrop Builder
 
Posts: 37
Images: 5
Joined: Thu May 05, 2005 8:09 pm
Location: Mortons Gap KY
Top

Postby emiller » Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:59 am

8) ABC Trailer Parts builds alot of axles for me and my buddies in different sizes. There in Moulton, AL and is cheaper to buy and ship them from Alabama then for me to order a axle from a local dexter supplier here in Phoenix, AZ.
User avatar
emiller
Donating Member
 
Posts: 3421
Images: 157
Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2004 11:00 pm
Location: Arizona, Phoenix
Top


Return to Teardrop Construction Tips & Techniques

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests