Question about an axel.

[walleye]

I came across a trailer at work today that I can have...but being a new guy at all this I need some help. First off I would need to rebuild the frame, it is 3' x 8' and made out of 2"x5" "C" channel. I believe this is way to heavy. Second the axel is a tubular leaf spring type. I dont know the specs on it as far as load cap. It is in the 48" range and has 15" wheels on it with a five lug pattern. The tube is 3" dia. Do any of y'all know anything about what I may have on my hands? It is free for me so I am really wanting it to work out. Thanks in advance.

[Woodbutcher]

First off welcome. It would help if you told us want you want to build on top of this trailer. From your description it seems way to heavy duty. Maybe a picture and some more info would help. Also what are you towing with. Sounds like you would be starting with a heavy trailer.

[walleye]

WoodButcher, Thanks for the welcome and reply. I will get a pic in the morning. I am wanting to build a large weekender. One big enough to sleep myself,wife and three kids (all under age 11). I was thinking something in the 10'L x 6'W x 5'H area. It would also double for my paintball events out of town and sleep three guys and haul our gear.

I will be towing with my V6 Ford Explorer. I am certain it is way heavy as is and needs to be rebuilt.

[dh]

Is there a "problem" with the trailer? Before I went hacking on it, I would see if I could trade a Heavy duty trailer for a lighter duty trailer that was the size I wanted. Just a thought.

[walleye]

No dh, no real problem that I can see. It is just that it is a homemade trailer and is only 3'x8' and made of really heavy "C" channel. I guess that I feel like if I am going to be adding to it to make it wider I would be useing lighter material and dont really know the quality of the original workmanship (welds look a little if'y). I guess my real question is more about the axel. Do y'all think it will work? Does it sound to be about the right size for a six ft wide, ten foot long trailer?

But thanks for the advice on maybe trading it. Not to sure someone would trade, based on the "homemade" factor and the workmanship is sketchy.

[bobhenry]

If the welds worry you have a professional welder look it over.

You say 3x8 but what is the out to out measured at the tires ?.

My 5'7" wide tear is on a 4x8 HF axle set without a problem in 8,000 + miles. Remember wheels under the body is an acceptable look also.

My biggest concern is always the tongue. Is it a single tube, a "Vee" tube, or best of all a "vee" with a center tube? How far does the tongue extend under the trailer?

You can cantaliever the sides out and no it won't tip over

Best of all the price is right

Like someone said pics please!



I have seen 1st hand the aftermath of "Roadside repaired" tongues and I decided to beef up the HF tongue the 2x2 center section extends to the centerline of the axle. So even if the tongue is a bit "Iffy" you can modify it.

[walleye]

If the welds worry you have a professional welder look it over.

You say 3x8 but what is the out to out measured at the tires ?.

My 5'7" wide tear is on a 4x8 HF axle set without a problem in 8,000 + miles. Remember wheels under the body is an acceptable look also.

My biggest concern is always the tongue. Is it a single tube, a "Vee" tube, or best of all a "vee" with a center tube? How far does the tongue extend under the trailer?

You can cantaliever the sides out and no it won't tip over

Best of all the price is right

Like someone said pics please!



I have seen 1st hand the aftermath of "Roadside repaired" tongues and I decided to beef up the HF tongue the 2x2 center section extends to the centerline of the axle. So even if the tongue is a bit "Iffy" you can modify it.

The outside to out side of the tires is 64".
I posted pics in my personal album. I will try to get them up here for all to see what kind of mess I am looking at.

[walleye]

Here are some of the pics.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70070
The trailer itself.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70069
The welds I was talking about.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70068
The springs look pretty good.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70066
The tongue construction, it is notched and bent. Made out of 2"x5" "C"

[walleye]

Here are some of the pics.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70070
The trailer itself.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70069
The welds I was talking about.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70068
The springs look pretty good.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70066
The tongue construction, it is notched and bent. Made out of 2"x5" "C"

Hmmm, thought I did the embed right. Was trying to make it so you could view them without linking.

[bobhenry]

It's an art

[walleye]

Thanks!

[Woodbutcher]

That trailer looks like way overkill. Plus you are going to have to rework or replace the axle to get a 6 ft wide trailer on it. Looks like way to much rework. I would do like someone else said. Try and trade or sell this one and put the money into what you really need.

[walleye]

That trailer looks like way overkill. Plus you are going to have to rework or replace the axle to get a 6 ft wide trailer on it. Looks like way to much rework. I would do like someone else said. Try and trade or sell this one and put the money into what you really need.

Yeah, see what I was saying. I really am only interested in the axel. It is 64" from outside to outside of the tires. That would only be 4" from fender to tire if I went with an over the tire design. I was certain that I was going to have to rebuild the frame and that is fine by me. I weld day in day out so no biggie.

Thanks for looking into it and for the advice.

[Woodbutcher]

Keep in mind how tall you will be if you build over the tires. The floor will be maybe 28-30" from the ground to have a flat floor. If you want to stand up in it you could make a drop floor in the middle with bunk style beds. Just a few thoughts. I don't know what type trailer your going for.

Steve

[danlott]

I would get the trailer. Sell it on craigslist for whatever you can get for it - FREE MONEY. Use the money to help buy an axle that will be the right size for your planned build.

Dan