axle question

[hugh]

My little TTT has a 2000 lb axle. Hub face to hub face is 48" and the spring hangers are 36" apart. I was thinking of upgrading to a 3500 lb axle just to get the slightly thicker axle tubes and bigger bearings plus widen the stance to eliminate the tippy look it has now. The trailer has 31" light truck tires on it. Right now the tires sit inside the wheel well so no fender is needed but I would like to widen the stance a bit. My local trailer supply place has an axle with a 72" hub face to hub face with the hangers being 58" apart. I am looking for opinions about welding new spring perches on the wider axle so it can mount to the existing 36" frame mounts. The springs I have fit both axles so it will be a $200 upgrade. So, in essence is it adviseable to move the spring perches 9" inboard on each side?

[angib]

So, in essence is it adviseable to move the spring perches 9" inboard on each side?

Not if you want to retain the strength of the axle.

Moving the spring perches that much will effectively turn the 3500lb axle into a 1500lb axle, so that's less than you've got now. Everything else will be extra beefy, but the axle tube itself will be weaker than what you have now.

Andrew

[madjack]

So, in essence is it adviseable to move the spring perches 9" inboard on each side?

Not if you want to retain the strength of the axle.

Moving the spring perches that much will effectively turn the 3500lb axle into a 1500lb axle, so that's less than you've got now. Everything else will be extra beefy, but the axle tube itself will be weaker than what you have now.

Andrew

+1...sound advice from our resident engineer.....................

[satch]

Me and someothers here built a frame for the longer axle and then attached the frame to it...


Works great for me

[Nobody]

I must've missed it if you posted that before Rick. I like it! Relatively simple solution to what could be a vexing problem.

[hugh]

Thanks very much for the info, you saved me from making a bad error.

[satch]

That's why we are here