Bent / Broken axle

[Cliffmeister2000]

Okay, everything is as it should be except...

I can't get the darned dust caps to go on!!!!

[Larwyn]

Okay, everything is as it should be except...

I can't get the darned dust caps to go on!!!!

Hit it harder, with a bigger hammer!!! Those new ones can be purty tight.

Actually I have used a squarely cut short bit of tubing which will fit over the cap but bottom out on it's rim to help. Even a chisel or a bit of flat bar will allow you to direct the hammer blows to the rim rather than the face of the cap. The good part is that the caps are not all that expensive so if you beat one to a pulp you aint hurt much, and it might make you feel better.....

[Cliffmeister2000]

Yup, Larwyn, that's what I'm planning, a bigger hammer. Thought I'd give it a rest until tomorrow.

Another interesting issue:

The new axle raises the tires almost 3/8". I didn't have that much clearance before, now it's kind of tight up there. Because one of the tires is ruined, I'm thinking about switching from trailer tires, which come in very limited sizes, to automotive tires.

Thinking of going from 205-75-14 to 185-70R14. that decreases the tire diameter by almost 1.5 inches.

Thoughts?

[ssrjim]

Where are the camping photos?

[dh]

...Because one of the tires is ruined, I'm thinking about switching from traielr tires, which come in very limited sizes, to automotive tires.

Thinking of going from 205-75-14 to 185-70R14. that decreases the tire diameter by almost 1.5 inches.

Thoughts?

I personally have never run trailer tires on a trailer. Always ran used auto tires on them. I've built and sold some speced with trailer tires, but non of my personal trailers have ever had trailer tires on them, and no problems to date

[teardrop_focus]

ssrjim

Where are the camping photos?

Right here:

Good news, bad news, Grand Canyon

Cliffmeister2000

Thinking of going from 205-75-14 to 185-70R14. that decreases the tire diameter by almost 1.5 inches.

Thoughts?

Gives you 3/4-inch more room up in the fender, if that's what you're asking. Seems a bit of a jump in tire size, though. Why not look for a tire size the dia of which splits the difference (3/8-inch) and restores the fender clearance you had before?

I ask because of tires' load ratings... going too small with an automotive tire may put you close to being at the limit of the tire's weight-carrying ability... again, this is a smallish auto tire rather than a smaller trailer tire.

I ask also because if the axle's spring rate is too firm, the first suggestion you might hear is "let some air out of the tires!". Wrong. Load ratings depend on proper inflation pressures. Choose an appropriate spring rate and rating (which is why I suggested not using 3500-lb-rated springs).

I like to use auto tires; but good ones developed for performance use. These types of tires have stiffer sidewalls and will decrease any potential for trailer sway should one have the trailer loaded less than optimally.

[dh]

I would clean the red goop off, I wouldn't want mystery goop in my hub bearings.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Lawryn, the bigger hammer did the trick!

DH, I did clean he goop off. I believe it was synthetic bearing grease, but my synthetic was a dark gray, almost blue. I didn't want the colors to clash, so off it went!

I'll not buy trailer tires again, because I don't think sidewall flex is much of an issue with these tiny trailers, and because cheap Chinese trailer tires cost more than high quality Bridgestone or Michelin's would cost.