Been reading a while, but first time post... be gentle.
I am starting a project this fall. I have been napkin sketching ideas for a while now and what I came up with something of an abomination. Think of a 10' cargo trailer with inbound wheels and a 75% radiused rear wall. Dry, I am figuring about 800-1000lbs. Loaded, not likely anything over 1800lbs.
Through out out my planning I have crossed paths with several difficulties, but foremost is the suspension.
My plan is to have the right be about the same width of a light SUV tow vehicle, or around 70". So if I went a 48" frame/axle, plus building out to tire/wheel width, I would be left with something around 62-64". Now being a little thin in the trailer would not be of any issue to me. If I had to pick being wide or narrow, I would gladly take narrow.
Problem I have is that I want to run a drop axle and can not seem to find anything less than 5' AND 3000lbs capacity. As well, I want to run brakes, but I am running into the same limitations.
First Q - If buy a 60" (perch) axle and shorten it to around 52". No big deal right? This would solve my axle issue and I could make up a few inches over 48" to be more inline with the total width I am looking for. By my understanding I can shorten a straight (not cambered) axle. Even if it is a drop axle? My understanding the best practice here is to cradle the axle on an appropriate sized piece of 1/4" thick channel iron, scribe a straight flat line on the axle, cut the center out of the axle, sleeve the axle with a mending tube (with holes for rosette), line the scribe back up for placement... weld sleeve ends and rosettes. Sound reasonable?
Second Q - Springs. Is there any reason I couldn't go with 2000lb springs? My only concern is that when parked, if we get the whole family inside we will surely be over 2000lbs. Would this be okay? What if I ran jacks on the rear to take some weight?
See, I really don't want to go 3000/3500 pound springs, because I don't want the trailer bouncing around like a jackrabbit on meth, but don't want to create an issue either of having too low of a spring value either. Would the use of a simple "helper spring" be a reasonable option here? Do you think the difference between 2000lb springs and 35/3000 springs would matter that much?
And that's it for now. I'd appreciate any input you might have.
Thanks!