Add an Axle?

[ky gravy]

I recently had a breakdown where my bearing deteriorated and the hub became so hot that the wheel came off and passed me as I was slowing down from dragging the trailer on the highway - lots of sparks - very exciting. Here's the question. Have any of you guys added an axle? The trailer is a single axle and the boat and weight is at the very top end of the range for the assembly. I was considering going up from a 14" wheel and tire to a 15" wheel or possibly adding another axle and spring assembly which would definitely handle a lot more weight. All of that is compared to just finding a good replacement trailer....

Anyone care to give some advice?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Add an Axle?

Since your little adventure probably damaged your current spindle, you might be able to get a little higher capacity by replacing the existing axle with a higher rated one, along with appropriate springs, wheels, and tires. Adding a second axle would involve a lot more engineering, if it's even doable at all.

However, the rest of the trailer will still be designed for the original load rating. Either lighten the load or buy a more suitable trailer, IMHO.

 

[rbh]

Re: Add an Axle?

A factory built trailer is meant to carry only a certain load, this includes both the frame as well as the axles and tires.
step up to a heavyer (GVW) trailer.
rob

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Add an Axle?

The trailer for my old Johnson surfer had an axle added to it. I wouldn't do it and expect it to up the weight rating of the trailer, but a tandem does pull nicer than a single.

 

[ky gravy]

Re: Add an Axle?

The old spindle melted. I have a new spindle, hub, bearings and tire on one side and a new hub and bearings on the other. Plus a new jack while I was in the shop... A $450 morning.

I think I'll be looking for another trailer.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Add an Axle?

I would be looking at the ads on Craigs list...just do a thorough inspection b4 laying out any cash.... make sure it has a title as well...nothing more frustrating than a trailer with no title when it comes time to register it....

 

[ky gravy]

Re: Add an Axle?

We don't have registration for trailers in Kentucky... Last year, I got yelled at by a Florida Fish and Game Official for not having registration for my trailer parked in the lot at Sebastian Inlet (the boat was anchored). I insisted that he get on the radio and check it out before he continued to rail at me. Long story short, it was the end of the lecture. Now, I tape a card with the KY Boat numbers on the trailer.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Add an Axle?

For $450, you could have replaced that axle with a doul axle setup if you had done the work yourself... Might even had been able to get new wheels and tires while you were at it.

I disagree with the point that just adding another axle would not increase the capacity of the trailer. That is sometimes the case depending on how the trailer is built and of what materials. However, there are many cases where the same trailer frame is used for an 800lb skiff hull design and also for a 2500 lb runabout. The difference in the trailers is the axle, maybe a 4 lug on the skiff, and a 5 or six lug on the runabout...

I am not saying that everyone that needs more capacity needs to go out and add another axle to thier trailer, but you cannot make a blanket statement either that says, no it will not work and will not increase capacity...

Every trailer needs to be inspected, judged to see if its frame can handle the load...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Add an Axle?

I agree with the previous poster. I would call the trailer manufacturer and ask them their advice on what that particular frame was rated for. Could very well be that it was the axle that was setting the load capacity and not the frame.

 

[rbh]

Re: Add an Axle?

All I know is that if some P-eng put his stamp on the trailers desighn and you change it, all insurance is null and void.
rob

 

[45Auto]

Re: Add an Axle?

Things must be a lot different in Canada than they are here. All kinds of home-built trailers running around in the US with full insurance and NO kind of design drawings of any kind, much less a PE stamp.

Are you saying that you can't build a street-legal, insurable trailer in Canada unless you're a professional engineer?

 

[rbh]

Re: Add an Axle?

No trailers certainly get home built, you actually have more leaway in your design as you are doing it for yourself origanlly.
You call the DMV and ask for a VIN for the trailer, then take it in for inspection, if it passes your off to the races.
But the thing with putting a extra axle under a trailer that was designed and built by a MFG is that it had to go through a P-eng for liability purposes
"know how everybody wants to sue someone"
Its not that the frame probably "can hold up", but if something happens its your BUTT on the line, due to your changes.
Rob

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Add an Axle?

Maybe its just me but adding an extra axle to an existing frame would actually be easier on the frame since the bending moment of the frame behind the rear axle is lees than if it was if it was a single axle.

Assuming he is not changing the load that he is carrying, seems like there are no downsides to the modification.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Add an Axle?

Its not that the frame probably "can hold up", but if something happens its your BUTT on the line, due to your changes.

I recently had a breakdown where my bearing deteriorated and the hub became so hot that the wheel came off and passed me as I was slowing down from dragging the trailer on the highway

I think I would prefer to put my butt on the line for the extra axle, rather than putting it on the line by losing a wheel in traffic and risking losing control of the whole rig at speed on the highway.

 

[rbh]

Re: Add an Axle?

I know what you are saying 100%
But when I take one of my truck/ trailers over the scales or theres a check stop and out pops the DOT person and they rip the truck and trailer down to the last nut to make sure everythings in order.
I seem to lean to the cautious side because I know how much they can fine me
I know what one of my booms will pick up if I hit the overide button
but if anything happens when I do it," I am up crap creek without a paddle"
rob

 

[180shabah]

Re: Add an Axle?

We all forgot to ask the important questions first. How much does the whole rig weigh? What is the axle capacity? what is the maint. history?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Add an Axle?

We all forgot to ask the important questions first. How much does the whole rig weigh? What is the axle capacity? what is the maint. history?

Not bad from a guy who has a Westie.

I'll add another one or two: What model trailer and boat? Is there room to add a second axle if desired? What shape is the rest of the trailer in?

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Add an Axle?

We all forgot to ask the important questions first. How much does the whole rig weigh? What is the axle capacity? what is the maint. history?

The OP stated this in the first post...

"The trailer is a single axle and the boat and weight is at the very top end of the range for the assembly. I was considering going up from a 14" wheel and tire to a 15" wheel or possibly adding another axle and spring assembly which would definitely handle a lot more weight."

So, one can assume that at a maximum the GVWR of the trailer is 3500lb. That said, with the 14" wheels, it is probably about 3000lb. Either way, I bet be would benefit greatly from the extra axle, if properly installed with the suspension shackle link...

 

[rbh]

Re: Add an Axle?

Guys-
you can push the envelope as much as you want, but if he puts an additional axle in he will negate the MFG's build sheet/tag, and will be liable if any thing happens.
It is only prudent to buy or "build a trailer" (your own vin) for the GVW required.
Rob

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Add an Axle?

Guys-
you can push the envelope as much as you want, but if he puts an additional axle in he will negate the MFG's build sheet/tag, and will be liable if any thing happens.
It is only prudent to buy or "build a trailer" (your own vin) for the GVW required.
Rob

It is his trailer, he is liable anyway... that is what his insurance is for...

In the US, trailers are modified all of the time. They are chopped and used as home built. Redeisgned better than new, etc. The laws in Canada vs US must be night and day different as it relates to trailers...

Now, provided he does not add any additional weight over what was originally packaged together when new, and he makes an upgrade to the trailer to improve it, then there should not be an issue, UNLESS, his workmanship fails and that is the cause of an accident... Simply modifying someone elses design does not automatically assign all liability to the modifier. It depends on what fails on the trailer and why...