Axle Question

[Birddog]

Years ago people used minivan rear axles on their Teardrop trailer frames.
I have a few of these available to me. They appear like they would do the job. Looking for some input on them before I decide to bring them home.
Are they a suitible axle for use on a teardrop, or am I asking for problems?
I prefer to custom build my frame and taylor it to my needs, instead of buying a store bought trailer and modifying it. Just a personal preference.


Thanks

[madjack]

...they will require a little fab/mod work and may be a little heavy but if they're free and ya got the skills, then they certainly can be used..................
madjack

[eamarquardt]

I used to have some spare VW rabbits (although I bought them and they didn't reproduce like rabbits) and have always regretted getting rid of them and not using the rear stub axles etc for building a small light weight trailer to haul a couple of motorcycles or such.

I have a Ford Windstar and there have been some reports of failure on the internet. I guess, just looked but couldn't tell for sure, but the stubs may be bolted (as my VW stub axles were) to the cross member. If so it wouldn't be hard to build a cross member and bolt the stubs to it and reuse the backing plates, drums, etc.

Then you'd have brakes on the axle and (with significant cool factor IMHO) you'd have the abiltiy to connect the parking brake! Military trailers all have parking brakes and I've always thought it would be cool and handy to have em on my trailers.

As my mother used to say: "Where there's a will, there's a way!"

I'd seriously look into it!

Cheers,

Gus

[Birddog]

Keep the information coming. Be interesting to hear from a few people that have done builds using these or similar axles. Thanks for the replys thus far, they are appreciated. The parking brake is a great idea. It should be fairly easy to make it work. Also could put a padlock on the parking brake lever to prevent theft. Some nice aluminum wheels off a Minivan might look pretty nice.

[eamarquardt]

The parking brake is a great idea. It should be fairly easy to make it work. Also could put a padlock on the parking brake lever to prevent theft. Some nice aluminum wheels off a Minivan might look pretty nice.

Yup!

Cheers,

Gus

[Birddog]

Unless something else comes up. I think that I will bring at least one axle assembly home. If I don't like the axle configuration, I could always use the spindles and hubs and weld in a new axle. I don't mind the extra work if needed, the end result would be worth it.

[dh]

Unless something else comes up. I think that I will bring at least one axle assembly home. If I don't like the axle configuration, I could always use the spindles and hubs and weld in a new axle. I don't mind the extra work if needed, the end result would be worth it.

Take lots of pictures and post them!!!

[Birddog]

After getting a good look at the axles that are available to me. I am having second thoughts about using them. I have no doubt that they could be used in the construction of a trailer. But I believe that I would be saving money and time, buy simply buying new components or a complete axle assembly. I have looked at some ready made and kit trailers. But feel that I may be spending more time modifying them and it may be more economical for me to do a complete ground up trailer build.I know that if I don't do it the right from the ground up. I will never truly be satisfied.
What are your thoughts? and do you have suggestions on ready made axle of assembly?

Thanks

[Chris00WJ]

I had the same thoughts about trying to scavenge parts that are used but easily accessible to me. I chose to go new to avoid problems later on. The cost may or may not be higher to begin, but I know exactly what I'm dealing with and won't have any surprises.

I definately respect the effort to reuse parts tho.

[madjack]

BD, I am a fan of building your own frame/axle setup as opposed to a kit...thataway, you get EXACTLY what ya want...Dexter is a good and well thought of axle supplier and if you call them, they will custom spec an axle for you, and do both spring or torsion axles...........
madjack

[dh]

BD, I am a fan of building your own frame/axle setup as opposed to a kit...thataway, you get EXACTLY what ya want...Dexter is a good and well thought of axle supplier and if you call them, they will custom spec an axle for you, and do both spring or torsion axles...........
madjack

Second that, unless you are building an off-road rig.

[eamarquardt]

BD, I am a fan of building your own frame/axle setup as opposed to a kit...thataway, you get EXACTLY what ya want...Dexter is a good and well thought of axle supplier and if you call them, they will custom spec an axle for you, and do both spring or torsion axles...........
madjack 8)

Second that, unless you are building an off-road rig.

I think building an offroad suspension system would be a lot of fun. I don't think it would be that difficult to copy the designs using airbags and shocks that are advertised on the net. You can buy the spindles premade and weld them to your suspension system.

http://www.easternmarine.com/Trailer-Axle-Spindles/

By choosing bushings and the like from a popular vehicle parts should be obtainable for years to come. Or mabye even salvage a few parts from a junkyard.

Thoughts?

Cheers,

Gus

[Birddog]

Thanks for the replies, I was out of town for the long weekend. I will have to take a look at what Dexter axles have to offer. If I was thinking about a off road type axle. The Caravan axle would be a good candidate. You might be able to flip them over and really get some ground clearance. For now the Dexter axle would be a good option. What would be considered a good capacity on a axle for a 5' x 10' Teardrop trailer?

[madjack]

Thanks for the replies, I was out of town for the long weekend. I will have to take a look at what Dexter axles have to offer. If I was thinking about a off road type axle. The Caravan axle would be a good candidate. You might be able to flip them over and really get some ground clearance. For now the Dexter axle would be a good option. What would be considered a good capacity on a axle for a 5' x 10' Teardrop trailer?

...get 1500# springs on a 3000# axle for good ride characteristics with the heavier duty hub/bearings/tube/brakes for off road usage.......
madjack

[Birddog]

Thanks Madjack,

Sounds like a good combination.


Birddog