widening the axel

[FlyerSkip]

I have a HF 1750 lbs 4x8 trailer. We were going to build a 4x8 but I think the 5 wide would perhaps be better. Can I just widen the axel or do you folks with more experiance on this than I have think I should widen the frame also? I know if I widen just the axel it will give me 6" from the springs to the hubs. On a heavy trailer I would worry about the axel failling at the spring, but on this light of a rig is it some thing that can be done? Perhaps if I beefed the axel at the spring mount.

[eamarquardt]

I think that you are right; simply widening the axle and not the frame will put too much stress on it. I also think the trailer will be much more prone to oscillating with the springs closer to the centerline relative to the wheels.

I think a HF can be "false economy" (adding brakes, heavier springs, widening it, etc) if you don't use it "right out of the box".

You can buy all the steel to fabricate a frame for maybe $250. Less if you scrounge around. Being in Oklahoma, where I think there people are a bit more hands on than here in the suburbs of Los Angeles, you might be able to "network" and find someone willing to spend a day with you cutting and welding. A frame can be done in less than a day by someone with a good saw and welder. Maybe you can barter with em. An axle, springs, and brakes (brakes are a good idea, IMHO) can be had brand new for about $350. If you shop around a couple of used rims and tires can be had for free to maybe a hundred bucks. I personally like Toyota truck rims. Std 5 X 4.5 pattern, 14 inch, and I love all those little holes! If I could get a set of baby moons to fit I'd be in hog heaven! I haven't given up on the baby moons yet!

Me, I'd rather hustle, do a few odd jobs, scrimp on beer and cigarettes (if applicable), postpone new tattoos, avoid wild women, and give up the occasional gourmet meal at Taco Bell and buy a brand new axle, springs, and brakes and favricate a frame exactly as I want it. My wife, however, has informed me we will not scrimp on my taking her out to dinner to celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary.

If you want to visit So. Cal. and tow the frame of your dreams home, that can be arranged.

There you have it, again, the world according to Gus.

Cheers,

Gus

[bobhenry]

I have a HF 1750 lbs 4x8 trailer. We were going to build a 4x8 but I think the 5 wide would perhaps be better. Can I just widen the axel or do you folks with more experiance on this than I have think I should widen the frame also? I know if I widen just the axel it will give me 6" from the springs to the hubs. On a heavy trailer I would worry about the axel failling at the spring, but on this light of a rig is it some thing that can be done? Perhaps if I beefed the axel at the spring mount.

WHY ?



Chubby is 5'7" out to out wide on a standard HF axle and modified frame.

yes this is a dock handrails laid top to top. The HF frame was mashed when some idiot ( the former owner) had a landscaping boulder loaded on it. I bought the parts for $75.00 and rebuilt it.



If you look thru my album back to front you will find the frame pics.

I was unhappy with the little bump ups and placed 2 layers of 3/4" closed cell foam board on the floor to plane out with the top of the wheel bump and a 7/16 osb sub floor over. This was the best move I accidently made

[dh]

Bobhenry took the words out of my mouth. I think widening the axle is a BAD idea. You have to get it perfect or you can really mess it up. Also, you might see what the max stick out on a dexter #9 is and go that rout. OR, I'll be happy to make you the same deal as Gus, but you have to buy the beer (I think I'm closer). Did you assemble the HF frame? You might be able to just take it back and get a 5' trailer instead.

[eamarquardt]

I, TOO like BEER (but everything in moderation but I quit opiates but b4 my next airplane ride I'm gonna get a couple cause there no getting off a transcontinental or transoceanic flight halfway to your destination).

Seems like it's easy to sucker someone into building a trailer for you!

Cheers,

Gus

[FlyerSkip]

Okay you win . I'll get out the welder and widen the whole thing. I've done this before so it's not a problem. It's just one of those things, you need to know what you're doing before you start. But like I said, I'll buy the beer and do the welding and all, if you want to come over and watch. I didn't think widening just the axel would work but I thought I'd ask before I did it. I have more than enough steel lying around that could use a home. Even with the extra work of widening it I think the HF trailer was a good thing. It's still going to be cheaper then building from scratch. And less work too.

[FlyerSkip]

I'm sorry I should have said thank you to everyone who helped me with this . So thank you very much. I'll get some pictures of the trailer after I get it done.

[aggie79]

Skip,
Somewhere on this board, I saw a picture of what you're trying to accomplish, but instead of widening the entire frame, they made outriggers to extend the leaf spring mounts out to the desired width. I'm not good with the search but let me see what I can find.
Tom

[aggie79]

Found it.

Here's a pic:



And here is the build thread:

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6824&highlight=widen+harbor+harbour

[FlyerSkip]

That looks good. Thanks I'll look into that.

[Toytaco2]

Like Bob Henry said, you can go 5 wide without widening the frame if you want. This one's 5x9.

Good Luck

Mike

[satch]

Exactly what I did

[FlyerSkip]

Very nice. The last axel I stretched all I did was clamp it in some angle iron and weld it down. the angle keeps it straight as you go. Not very pretty though.

[FlyerSkip]

I just noticed that toytaco 2 is not that far from me here in Tulsa.

[FlyerSkip]

I love my wife . She tells me now that she wants it to be 4' wide . Just as I'm getting out the saws all. Did I mention that I love my wife? I really do.
So I don't have to cut and weld anything now . But thanks for all the help anyway.