I flipped the axle (1 Viewer)

[Steveup]

I have a utility trailer that I use to haul my quads and often find myself off road with the trailer to get to places I like to ride. With that being said I just don’t trust the OEM tires (Milestar ST205/75R15 load C 1800lbs) and wanted to beef them up. Doing much research I found that to get a higher load rated tire I first needed to go from a 15” rim to a 16” rim. So new rims are going to happen for sure. Now for the tires I am hoping to go with something like (235/75/16 in a AT or Mud). The larger tires are in the 2800-3000lbs range which is much better and will look cooler. But until I take the trailer up to the tire store and get it sized I am not sure what size will fit.

Any way so the flip took place this morning and this is what I ended up with.

After reading tons from this site and looking at what I had the flip seemed to be an easy and up front task. My trailer doesn’t have brakes so that was one less thing to worry about. Welded to the axle was a plate and was originally at the bottom of the axle. So once I had the axle removed and the springs reattached it was time to add the axle back under the springs. I flipped the axle so the left tire became the right side and vise versa. Also needed to flip the axle 180 to move the plates that were welded to the axle would line up with the set pins or what ever they are called. I did this to avoid any tow in or tow out issues.

So the finished product gave me a lot more clearance in the wheel well, but the tire is not centered in the wheel well from front to back and was wondering if this was to be expected?

BTW I did take the trailer down the road at about 70 mph and it rode just as good as it did before.

 

[Steveup]

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Photos

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! As your springs collaapse on the downstroke, the axle will move back some. Not much unless your springs have quite a bit of arch to them. That's why there is a shackle at the rear. John

 

[Steveup]

Correct there is a shackle in the rear but not the front. I was wondering if I added a shackle to the front would it balance things out or that might cause other issues.

 

[inkpot]

Correct there is a shackle in the rear but not the front. I was wondering if I added a shackle to the front would it balance things out or that might cause other issues.

Howdy! You don't want shackles on both ends of the springs. That would allow the axle to move back and forth like an old glider swing on Grandma's front porch. You could extend the front solid spring hanger to raise up the frame from the axle, and you could even move it rearward a bit. If you are going to a larger diameter tire than what is shown in your pix, you may have clearance issues at the front and rear ends of the fender. You may have to trim them up a bit, or remount them a couple of inches higher, even with the top of the side frames. Just a thought. John