How to Measure Mounting Location of Dexter Torsion Axle

[MarcInBoise]

Hi all, I've been lurking on the site for quite some time and have finally dove in and have started my build.
I'm building a 5 x 8 TD and have just finished welding the frame.

I purchased a Dexter #9 (2000 lb) torsion axle and planned on mounting the axle at 38" from the rear.
Now my question is...

Is the 38" measurement to the center of the wheel, or the center of the axle bar?

[KCStudly]

Center of the wheel. This is the pivot point for the balance that determines tongue weight, so it is the more critical reference point of the two.

Welcome to the forum, and I hope your build goes well.

Go ahead and start a build thread, if you haven't already, and remember, if there aren't any pictures, it didn't happen.

[MarcInBoise]

Thanks man. Funny, I called the DOT and talked to the guy who will approve my trailer after it's road worthy...
He said exactly the same thing. "Bring all your receipts for steel, axle, wheels, and pictures of the build or it didn't happen".

[tony.latham]

Thanks man. Funny, I called the DOT and talked to the guy who will approve my trailer after it's road worthy...
He said exactly the same thing. "Bring all your receipts for steel, axle, wheels, and pictures of the build or it didn't happen".

Marc:

I'm assuming Boise is in Idaho. For titling in Idaho, they are looking for two things: Theft and sales tax. (They are normally dealing with autos or semi's built a piece at a time.) They will not inspect your trailer lights. I had to pull my trailer to Idaho Falls since they only make it to Salmon about every sixty days or so. The process took about an hour. She was good about it. I think she took that attitude because I had everything organized and documented in an Excel spreadsheet showing what I had purchased and paid sales tax on and what I had purchased out of state. Plus of course the receipts. I told her that we had bent the law by taking the teardrop on an overnight camping trip while it was wearing a utility plate. She appreciated my honesty and said she gets lied to every week. Take your checkbook to pay the sales tax. They don't take cash or credit cards.

I've heard horror stories from guy's piecing hotrods together in Idaho. I think they were trying to dodge sales tax on items here and there and didn't have the documentation on where the parts came from

Tony