Anyone using Chrysler mini van axel?

[Dusty82]

I'm trying to find them, but I know of two other pop-up trailers that have been modified using Dodge Caravan rear axles.

Still, everyone else's comments still make a lot of sense. If it were me, I'd just get a trailer axle. Just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean that it's the best choice.

[bohemian]

Gaston
Did you really say this.

buy a good torsion axle. 150 to 200 . easy to mount and made for the job. beats recycled auto junk.

[angib]

E-brake handle mounted to the tounge would be cool in place of wheel chocks.

Whaddyamean - like every braked trailer made in Yurp for the last 50 years?

Yurpeen mechanical surge brakes would be the ideal brakes for most teardrops - self-actuating, simple, cheap, no TV mods required.

[eamarquardt]

E-brake handle mounted to the tounge would be cool in place of wheel chocks.

Whaddyamean - like every braked trailer made in Yurp for the last 50 years?

Yurpeen mechanical surge brakes would be the ideal brakes for most teardrops - self-actuating, simple, cheap, no TV mods required.

Sometimes your Yur-a-pea'n stuff is pretty cool. I've seen some axles available here that have "parking brakes" but never seen one on an actual trailer. I don't quite understand why, as the additional "monkey motions" required are minimal and a brake lever seems way cooler than a couple of bricks or blocks of wood.

Cheers,

Gus

[Laredo]

That axle's out from under an AWD mini-van ... hmmm.

[Bill Larson]

used one in mine with trailer springs and shackles.set it up cut it in half widened it used pipe for filler then plated bottom .no brakes needed here in maine on single axle trailers.

[eamarquardt]

no brakes needed here in maine on single axle trailers.

Sez who? Legislators who aren't driving them and aren't trying to stop in an emergency?

Apparently brakes are required at 3K#:

http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?ID=1047259

Cheers,

Gus

[eamarquardt]

no brakes needed here in maine on single axle trailers.

Sez who? Legislators who aren't driving them and aren't trying to stop in an emergency?

Apparently brakes are required at 3K#:

http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?ID=1047259

Cheers,

Gus

More on brakes in Maine (and this applies to a number of other states):

Brakes are a hot button of mine. Most states, in spite of the weight limits giving the impression one is "legal" have other requirements in regards to stopping a vehicle.

The Maine vehicle code states brakes are not required on a trailer weighing less than 3500#, TRUE. However, the code also states you have to be able to stop your vehicle from a specified speed in a specified distance, which, depending on your tow vehicle may or may not be possible w/o brakes on your trailer. See:

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/s ... c1902.html

2. Specific standards. Brakes must be adjusted so as to stop:
A. A 2-wheel brake vehicle, within a distance of 45 feet, from a speed of 20 miles per hour; [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. A 4-wheel brake vehicle, within 30 feet, from a speed of 20 miles per hour; or [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

Texas has a similar law:

http://law.justia.com/codes/texas/2005/ ... 47.00.html

Texas law defies the "laws of physics". They state a rate of deceleration you must meet AND a stopping distance. If you do the math, the two are not the same. I made several calls to the Texas Highway patrol (or whoever is in charge there) finally reached the one Sergeant that understood the law and some math/physics and he agreed their law is BS!!!! I'd laugh at Texas legislators but they're gonna get someone killed with their laws. Some on the fourm have "boasted" of their towing outrageous loads w/o brakes. Some day they might just kill someone and it will be sad and PREVENTABLE.

IHMO, towing a trailer w/o brakes (in all but a few instances) is irresponsible and it will be a sad day when someone is hurt or worser in an accident that could be prevented. I learned my lesson on a trip to Big Bear Lake. Nearly killed myself (and my family) coming down the mountain when the brakes overheated (and I was being careful as I was aware of the potential for brake fading and was driving slow in low gear), faded, and I nearly couldn't stop it.

I'm so serious about brakes that I have built two trailers (tandem axle) with fully separate/redundant braking systems. Hydraulic surge brakes on one axle and electric on the other. Airplanes have redundant systems, your car probabaly has separate systems for one or more wheels, so why not a trailer that has more than one axle?

Cheers,

Gus