Sourcing narrow, lightweight or cheap axles

[mirau]

I have an old trailer frame and leaf springs, now I need an axle. Where are the best vendors/places for sourcing narrow and/or lightweight axles? (Between 3' and 4.5' in width.)

1. There are a LOT of trailer parts places online. Can anyone recommend a specific vendor?

2. I've also got craigslist, freecycle, and ebay on my short list. Any more suggestions?


To make a long story short, I want to use this trailer as a kayak hauler for the short term, and down the road possibly build a teardrop on it. I'd like to limit the weight and width for kayak hauling, but I also realize I shouldn't underbuild if someday I will put a teardrop body on it. If I end up with the right narrow axle, though, I might be happy to keep it as a kayak hauler and build another trailer for a tear later.

The existing main frame is 4' wide. The parts of the frame that have the leaf spring mounts have not been secured to the main frame yet, so I have some flexibility in axle width (up to about 5'). I was hoping to use a hub with a 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern that I can use with some wheels I already have.

[Leon]

Get a piece of pipe, and a set of axle stubs Stubs
and a set of hubs 5 Lug Hubs and you can have a #2000 axle for about $65

[mikeschn]

Mirau,

I would start with Northern Tool and Southwest Wheel. If you click on Alphabetical Index by sdtripper2 you'll see some more sources...

I have a preference to Southwest Wheel, but only because their torsion axles are splined, so that I can set the start angle to whatever I want.

Mike...

[Arne]

Mike, since I'm not into fancy wheels, but may get a torsion axle, does anyone know if I can get hubs on a torsion axle and use my h/f 1800# rims?

[mikeschn]

Arne,

Tell me about your wheels? Are they 4 or 5 bolt? Do you know the bolt circle?

I found this at Southwest Wheel...


The Flexiride® Cartridge Axle Pricing

2,000 lb. Flexiride® Rubber Torsion Axle

Hub patterns available: 4-4", and 5-4.5"

Mike...

[emiller]

I live in Phoenix and get all my axles from ABC Trailer Parts in Alabama. They are cheaper than buying dexter axles from the local dealer. And thats with shipping.

[GHOSTSSX]

I live in Phoenix and get all my axles from ABC Trailer Parts in Alabama. They are cheaper than buying dexter axles from the local dealer. And thats with shipping.

Where are they here in Alabama??

TNX

CHUCK

[JunkMan]

Where are they here in Alabama??
CHUCK

Chuck,

There used to be a place called Mart, Inc. in Huntsville that made custom axels. I haven't done any business with them in years, so am not sure if they are still around, but they could make just about anything you wanted, and were very good to work with.

[Arne]

Mike, they are 5 bolt, I'll have to try to figure out the bolt circle.... can I just measure the distance between 2 adjacent lugs and do it that way....?

[sdtripper2]

For those that want a direct link to ABC Trailer parts and more:

ABC Trailer Axles Clicky

Some other Trailer supply solutions:
Champion Trailer supply
http://www.championtrailers.com/
E trailer parts supply
http://www.etrailerpart.com/
Red Neck trailer supply
http://www.redneck-trailer.com/

[Arne]

Mike, finally found it here.... I measured and got 2-5/8" between studs (on center).. so it is 4.5 inch circle.... have to go down about 1/4 of the way.

http://www.etrailer.com/y-232.aspx

[mikeschn]

Sounds like you got what you need Arne...

Mike...

[Michaelwlf3]

Get a piece of pipe, and a set of axle stubs Stubs
and a set of hubs 5 Lug Hubs and you can have a #2000 axle for about $65

How does that work, then? You insert the stubs into the pipe and it becomes a torsion axle?

[Michaelwlf3]

Never mind. I just saw a torsion axle and can see the difference between a torsion axle and a leaf spring axle.

[asianflava]

If you order a custom axle, you can specify the width. It doesn't cost any more than a "Stock" axle.