Adding a 2nd axle to trailer

[Bayliner175xt]

Howdi people, I am looking for input on adding a second axle to my trailer.
It's a 'Karavan" trailer with a Bayliner 175 on it 3.0, Alpha1 I/O, Monster tower,
The extra axle is for a number of reasons, stability, safety (4 wheels is better than 2).

Things I'm looking at.
Weight ratio,
Alignment, so it tracks straight.
Brake axle in front lazy axle @ rear.
Slipper or eye bolt springs,
All the springs wheels and so on will be new and all the same.

Thanks

 

[rwidman]

Re: Adding a 2nd axle to trailer

Howdi people, I am looking for input on adding a second axle to my trailer.
It's a 'Karavan" trailer with a Bayliner 175 on it 3.0, Alpha1 I/O, Monster tower,
The extra axle is for a number of reasons, stability, safety (4 wheels is better than 2).

Things I'm looking at.
Weight ratio,
Alignment, so it tracks straight.
Brake axle in front lazy axle @ rear.
Slipper or eye bolt springs,
All the springs wheels and so on will be new and all the same.

Thanks

Well, you don't need two axles on a boat that probably weighs under 3,000 lb with trailer.

It would be far easier to use two torsion axles rather than try to deal with leaf springs. They bolt onto the trailer frame with "U" bolts.

Buy identical axles, wheels, tires, etc. Install the axles equal distances from the place where the original axle was. Make sure they are absolutely perpendicular to the trailer frame rails.

Remember when selecting the axle length to allow room so the fenders don't hit the boat.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Adding a 2nd axle to trailer

other than the 'just because' factor, there is ZERO actual reason to do a tandom axle on a 17 foot bayliner I/O. (ie, fairly lightweight, well within the limits of a single axle)

That said, I agree with the previous post. Buy a pair of torsion axles, bolt them up, and get some new fenders. An afternoon of work at best. Keep in mind you want torsion axles that are rated close to the actual weight of your load, you can't assume that 1/2 the load is always going to be on each axle. (when you are going over the edge of a ramp, you will unload one axle and the other one is going to be taking the entire weight)