Upgradeing a HF trailer axle (dexter)

[Deryk the Pirate]

Hello,

I was talking to Dexter axle's today about being able to widen an axle so I can get an extra 2" on each side so I can keep the 49" width of the HF 1720 Lb. Capacity Super Trailer. He said its doable, you lose alittle max weight by doing that but if I use a 2k axle it wouldnt be much and since I can only tow 1k, Im not too concerned.

Kurt the guy I spoke with said I need the spring seat measurement which is the center of leaf spring to center of leaf spring, then the hub face measurement which is hub face to hub face. Anyone have those handy lol.

thanks
deryk

[dh]

Are you modifying an axle you already have on hand? When I got mine, it was custom built to order per my specs, and it was de-rated to my spec as well, so it will ride better.

[Deryk the Pirate]

I need to give them the specs or bring the axle down to a place near where I'm gonna be building it to match it up....if I can widen the axle 2" on each side I can build the trailer with a 50" width inside...4" narrower then my original...tryin to go a touch lighter in weight.

[dh]

Just take the trailer width, 49" as stated above, and subtract the frame rail width, which should be speced online somewhere. Do you intend to run the stock HF wheels? If not, get your rims/tires first, then determin how much stick out you need on each side, which will geve you your hub face to hub face. The original HF axle should be speced online as well.

[Deryk the Pirate]

I'm gonna pick up the HF 1750 trailer thurs or fri and headin down to my friend Connor's to work on it. I called the distributor he said bring the axle down to him and see what he has or what he can order... guestimating he figures he has several that would fit. Hopefully I can reuse my hubs... if not will replace them but keepin the same tire size of 12 inches... when I build a bigger trailer I willgo with larger tires.

[down under tech]

Hi Deryk: I wanted to upgrade my 1720# HF trailer as well with a wider axle. I am running 14" wheels and tires now. I still have the HF axle in my shed and I can take measurements for you tomorrow after I get off work, if that works for you. The 12" wheels are 4" wide and the 14" ones are 5 1/2" wide I just ordered a 2000# Dexter axle from Southwest Wheel that was 4" wider on the Hub Face. It cost me $122 delivered to my door. It has the larger US bearings and included the 5 x 4 1/2" hubs. I had to weld on the spring perches, but that was no problem. I had to get 1" longer U-bolts because the perches were higher. It worked out great.

ttyt...

[dh]

Thats what threw me off, my distributer doesn't stock anything from Dexter, everything is special order. Are you upgrading from slipper springs too?

[Deryk the Pirate]

Thanks Johny D, but I got a 20% off coupon for HF expires today so Im headin over there before lunch to pick up the trailer... saturday is gonna be a busy day puttin the trailer together and getting the new axle.

"slipper springs" whats that?

[Deryk the Pirate]

nm thats the type of springs with only 1 bolt spot

[Deryk the Pirate]

well if I can widen the axle enough to get the trailer to be 51" wide it will be 3" narrower then my first build (inside) and the frame lighter then a 5' wide trailer and can stretch it to almost 10 feet long for my storage box on the back for a galley and battery. Also the local trailer/axle place said the replacement axle would be about $110 dollars and no welding needed. That will work for me lol and 51" width will get a full sized mattress in there big enough for 2 when I have company.

[dh]

...a full sized mattress in there big enough for 2 when I have company.

Depends how big she is

[Deryk the Pirate]

[4quote="dh"]

...a full sized mattress in there big enough for 2 when I have company.

Depends how big she is [/quote]


LoL.... "he" never will be lol

[Deryk the Pirate]

Well it seems I bought the last HF trailer for sale in NJ with 12" wheels lol... I ended up haveing to drive over an hour to another HF store cause they showed stock in the one with 8" wheels... then found out the 12" tires are $50 each. So while I was argueing with the manager in the back room that they should cut me a break on buyin the two 12" wheels one of the associates looked and saw one last folding trailer with the 12" wheels. So got it with my 20% off coupon and barely made it to work on time... 3.5 hours of runnin around and fighting with dimwits... sigh

So this weekend the build starts!

[dh]

Are you starting a build thread?

[Deryk the Pirate]

This weekend...my new trailer is still in my car lol... Im hopein for help tonight to get it out... the long box is heavy lol.

Ive been lookin at how Steve stretched his frame to almost 10 feet Im planning on doing the same. I want my "tonguebox"/galley on the back side of the axle so I can have a deck in the front and put my door there.