homebuilt axle locator/safety strap

[working on it]

I haven't been able to find a double clamp spring perch for this 1.25" square tube (cambered) axle ...since the weight of the trailer is now 1438 lbs, I'd feel better with a safety device, just in case. Here's what I'm trying
Long ago, a neighbor made a similar leaf to clamp over his existing spring perch/locator (his originals were pretty much rusted thru) on his utility trailer...later on he showed me how that the original had failed on a trip to the dump, and that his safety "leaf" had held the assembly together to make the trip home...why not here? So, being the "What have I got to lose" kind of shadetree mechanic, I made two of these, of 3/16" steel... debating whether to double up the leaf, to 3/8", or to add another set of clamps further in towards the axle tube. This is just to hold it together just long enough to pull to the side of the road, not for extended travel. FYI...the existing single clamps are good, and the nuts tight. Any thoughts?

[Dale M.]

I would just replace U-bolts and plates ....

Axle is pretty much standard tube size... Plate and U-bolts can be a little large, and If you are worried about "side play" (between axle and U-bolts) a spacer would do.... I would use 1-1/2 plates and not worry about the 1/8 (.125) difference... If U-bolts are tight and if spring is indexed (pinned) to axle its not "going any where"...

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer ... Plate.aspx

http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/items. ... =0&Tp=&Bc=

Dale

[working on it]

There's still a problem... the springs are 1.75" wide and the axle is either a 1.5" square tube, rusted away down to 1.375"-or- its a 1.25" tube with a lot of paint/rust converter buildup on it. No combination I see will fit it. I guess I could shim the square tube to fit the 2" spring plate, or could get one to fit the smaller tube, and enlarge the holes to clear the wider springs. I was just wanting to do a temporary (safety) fix, until I got enough miles on the trailer to see whether or not it needs a heavier axle. I'll look over the selection at Northern Tool again, to see if I can get a combo to fit. So do you think the cross strap will be totally inadequate just for a safety?

[Dale M.]

If you can not see the way to a proper fix, BE SURE YOUR TEMPORARY FIX IS SUBSTANTIAL AS THEY TEND TO BECOME PERMANENT....

Also consider the minute you "clamp" the springs. they become stiffer and tend to "work" less....

Think you need to focus more on how to do it, than on why it can not be done... You know what end solution is, but you refuse to go there...

Dale

[working on it]

If you can not see the way to a proper fix, BE SURE YOUR TEMPORARY FIX IS SUBSTANTIAL AS THEY TEND TO BECOME PERMANENT....

Also consider the minute you "clamp" the springs. they become stiffer and tend to "work" less....

Think you need to focus more on how to do it, than on why it can not be done... You know what end solution is, but you refuse to go there...

Dale

My purpose in posting this thread was to show a method of making a retainer in case of failure of the single u-bolt. Just another out-of-the -box thing I had seen before. I dredged this method from my memory because it worked, once at least, on a similarly sized trailer. Despite the assurances of a couple of experienced chassis builders, who pronounced the single u-bolt set-up as in good condition (some surface rust only) and strong enough for what I was building, I wanted to avoid a worst-case scenario where one nut let go. I've seen spring perches and axles hold together due to dual u-bolts backing up each other. So this is a back-up for the single. Probably not needed, but will make me feel better about it. If you notice, the 4-leaf springs are bound together with bands on each end...by clamping my device inside those bands, any spring rate effect (if any) will be minimal; besides that, with four 2" wide leaves, 24" eye to eye, and 50 psi in the tires, it has hardly any deflection . I've been clamping springs and adjusting spring rates on many cars and trucks for almost 50 years...I don't see a problem here. Sure, I know the best, safest, surest way to fix a problem that may never happen, is to re-do the springs and axle with heavier rated equipment. The axle I currently have has been given bigger bearings and even so is probably near its rated max capacity, but I want to use it and see how my "ungainly" unconventional trailer works as is. I appreciate your advice, and know already what is correct, but not until I test the platform I built. And NO, I don't refuse to go there...just not yet.

[working on it]

If you can not see the way to a proper fix, BE SURE YOUR TEMPORARY FIX IS SUBSTANTIAL AS THEY TEND TO BECOME PERMANENT....

Also consider the minute you "clamp" the springs. they become stiffer and tend to "work" less....

Think you need to focus more on how to do it, than on why it can not be done... You know what end solution is, but you refuse to go there...

Dale

As the kids might say: "My bad, very bad!" ...see this post concerning my failure in engineering http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=58985