Using OEM Wheels on a trailer?

[CDN_Cruiser]

I have a sort of strange, non-standard boat that I will eventually need to build a custom trailer for and I was wondering if I can arrange to use Toyota OEM wheels (nice to have a standard wheel, would then have 2 spares, etc). I'm sure the answer is 'yes' but what would I have to do - can I just use some random axle and some sort of custom plate....or....

As you can tell, I know nothing about this subject so any advice is helpful.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[Rich]

You would source 6 on 5.5 trailer hubs and buy axles with spindles to fit the hubs. All of this is readily available. You can get the whole works assembled, including brakes, from probably any trailer axle manufacturer that supplies the boat trailer market.

What is strange about your boat?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

You could locate a blown up mini truck or better yet a Land Cruiser front axle (or 80 rear) and use the spindles and hub assembly off it. And if you want to get creative use the brake set-up off the axle also.

Phil

 

[cruiserdan]

Actually that is an excelent idea. I have a truck-bed trailer that has an antique CHEBBY truck axle under it. When towing that particular trailer I have no less than EIGHT total wheel/tire combinations available.

 

[Rich]

6 on 5.5 trailer drum brake hubs run $60 dollars, this includes studs, bearings, and seal.

6 on 5.5 trailer disc brake hubs run $90, again including studs, bearings, and seal.

As inexpensive as they are, no need to mess around with used land cruiser parts.

 

[cruiserdan]

The advantage to used LC stuff, as I see it, would be it you used "used" stuff that was common with the tow vehicle. In that case you could raid the trailer to fix the truck if you broke something on the truck. Of course this would take the trailer out of action but since you can't drive it out in it the tow vehicle can't move who cares?....


D-

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

What is strange about your boat?

Guys, thanks for the tips so far! The boat is a 'freighter canoe' a style used pre 'tin boat' as work boats in much of the far north. Mine is likely from the 1950's and I brought it 'south' with me from the NWT. It is basically a very large and relatively heavy cedar/canvas canoe with a square stern. Unlike some the models you can get now, mine can run up to a 25hp engine. My wife and I took the boat on a 3 week trip on Great Slave Lake (one of the world's largest) a nd it can handle a (literal) ton of stuff, including 50 gal of gas!

The problem is its relatively non-standard shape - very long and thin.

No need for brakes as it's relatively light...which makes me think I will need a VERY soft suspension to keep it from bouncing all over the place.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[Rich]

With no brakes you are are now talking about $50 bucks for a complete hub.

 

[ginericLC]

http://www.hendersonwheel.com/ makes trailer axles and sells trailer axle parts of all sorts. They are very reasonable and I believe they ship nationwide. Although probably freight, which could be expensive. Their Boise location is sort of local to me and they are always helpful.

 

[John E Davies]

No need for brakes as it's relatively light...which makes me think I will need a VERY soft suspension to keep it from bouncing all over the place.

Here are some resources:

http://www.championtrailers.com/

http://www.etrailerpart.com/

http://www.dexteraxle.com/

In particular, I strongly suggest you consider Dexter's Torflex rubber torsion axles:

http://www.dexteraxle.com/torflex

They are very cool, especially for a relatively fragile fixed load like a boat. They are less desireable for a cargo trailer, because of the changing geometery of the spindle and torsion arm as the load decreases from the optimum amount. Check out the Dexter resources section:

http://www.dexteraxle.com/trailer_resources

This article is a must read if you are doing your own design work:

http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1080235/f/Design_Considerations.pdf

Good luck on your project.

John