how much is too much? (1 Viewer)

[stayalert]

I want to replace the axle on my trailer. I wheel this piss out of it on rocks, in mud, river crossings, sand, snow, you name it.....In fact this is such a hard core question I should prolly have posted in hard core Anyway....this trailer that I wheel the crap out of needs a new axle. Its a single axle 4x8 and occaisionally I haul fire wood with it. When I'm not busy wheeling the thing silly get it?

So? what capacity would be adequate (or more than needed for durability) for an extreme wheeling trailer (with occaisional dump runs/fire wood hauling)?

 

[beaufort-fj60]

http://www.easternmarine.com/em_showroom/tech_info/axles_tech_info.html

I don't think the axle is a problem unless you go to small/weak. your limit is going to be what the trailer/frame can handle carrying before it breaks or bends

 

[John E Davies]

A Dexter 3500 pound axle (10 inch electric brakes) is plenty strong, but you will need to customize the springs and shackles to get some height, articulation and extra strength, and definitely add some good shocks. And yes I agree that the frame may also need beefing up. What happened to your old axle? Bent spindle? What brand and size axle is it?

The question you have to answer is: how much weight is on the trailer while you are wheeling the cr@p out of it? That's when the stress occurs, not while you are hauling a cord of wood down some fire road.

My dinky trailer has a 3500 pound axle with 2000 pound springs, but fully loaded with camping gear and mountainbikes, the total trailer weight is maybe 750 pounds, and I drive real easy over rough terrain.

http://www.dexteraxle.com/products___literature

Be sure to take a look at the "Product Applications Manual", lower left.

John Davies
Spokane WA