Axle for 5' wide on 4' HF frame?

[okedoketear]

Ok, I want to put a replacement axle under my 4X8 HF frame (and do away with the stock axle/springs) that would allow the wheels to sit outside of my 5' wide build. When I called Dexter Axle today they informed me that I had too much overhang between the spring centers and the hub faces to safely put an axle underneath it. I figure my hubface length is 73" and my spring centers are 47" Does anyone have any suggestions? Or do I need to rethink my design and cut my wheels into the 5' wide build? Any thoughts? Thanks.

[bobhenry]

I have the same problem ! I have contemplated a large steel plate bolted to frame and also attached to the wooden members then drilled for the axle set. Just a dumb thought !

[Kens]

Mine is 5 wide on a 4 by frame. Just build over the wheels. The little bump on the inside is down by your knees. You will not notice.

[bobhenry]

Is this effort for a better ride or are you just trying to get rid of the wheel well bumps. My wheel wells were only 1 1/2 inches tall so to get rid of them I layed in 2 layers of 3/4 foam and cut around the bumps then covered the entire floor with a layer of 7 / 16 osb as a sub floor. I never missed the 2" of head room and don't have to worry about a sharp corner in my back or hip.

[okedoketear]

Hey Kens,

I understand that I can build the wheel in but I have been given a project that was half completed and the floor and walls are already finished. I was also given tires/rims/fenders that are 14" so I would like to just put an axle underneath that would work and go with that. Thanks.

[bobhenry]

OH

A rear auto axle out of a front wheel drive might be a candidate. The springs and mounts are farther inboard than a torsion axle. Or perhaps the older style front dropped axle for a very early model would also work.

What is the out to out measurement of the body from side to side.

My problem is , mine wound up 5' 7"

[okedoketear]

My "hub face" is 73". My spring centers are 47". There is an "overhang" between the SC and hub face is 13". The width of the cabin is 61.5" Thanks for the axle idea.

[JIML1943]

I built mine 5' wide on a 4' wide trailer went to northern tool bought 3500# axle and 2000# springs welded spring perches at the right spacing it has worked fine for 3 years, have towed at over 75 MPH. oh yea my TD weighs over 1600 #.

[okedoketear]

Hey Jim,

Can you explain the spring perches a bit more. I think I know what you mean but would like some more descriptions. Thanks.

[JIML1943]

Hi my axle is round the perches weld to axle to give a flat surface for the spring to sit on.

Note i used trailer wheels with 0 offset so i only had to move perches in 6" if you use a car wheel from newer car with front wheel drive it may be to much space from hub face to springs.

[okedoketear]

Hey Jim,

So you set the axle perches at 47"-48" and welded in place? Am I understanding that correctly? I was thinking I could weld steel rectangular tubing (11ga.) on the outside of the frame (about 3 feet long sections) thereby narrowing the distance between the hubface and spring centers. Any thoughts on that, anyone? Thanks.

[satch]

I built an axle frame for my 4x8 hf

[madjack]

Jim Marshall had the right idea for building 5' wide on a 4' wide trailer and keeping the wheels outside the body....go here and scroll down for pics...clickyclickyclicky
madjack

[okedoketear]

Wow, that's some nice frame work! That goes along with my thought pattern. I appreciate everyone's input. I will go ahead and build out an axle platform then. I will post photos later. Thanks everyone.

[angib]

I built mine 5' wide on a 4' wide trailer went to northern tool bought 3500# axle and 2000# springs welded spring perches at the right spacing it has worked fine for 3 years, have towed at over 75 MPH. oh yea my TD weighs over 1600 #.

Thank you for that information - this is exactly what I was suggesting in another thread on the same subject, so it's good to know it works in practice!

Andrew