Drop or Straight Axle?

[Alumarine]

Hi there.
I have an 18 ft. Sylvan on a bunk trailer that currently has a 3500 lb 4" drop axle.
The current axle is mounted on top of the leaf spring.

It's bent so I'll be replacing it.
I can get either a straight or drop axle for the same price.

Should I stick with the drop axle or is there some advantage to a straight?

Also, either axle will be 3" too narrow.
I plan on cutting it, machining an insert and welding it in..
Any gotcha's with that plan?

thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Get a custom axle in the width you need.

 

[wrvond]

The drop axle on top of the spring is to allow you to launch and recover your boat without having to go too deep with the trailer.
It's easier to weld a tube on the outside of the axle than it is to put a tube on the inside. Plus an outside tube will have a larger diameter.
That said, axles aren't so expensive you couldn't order a custom width.

 

[sublauxation]

Custom axles are cheap, $100 with EZ Lube spindles. I bought mine here 7 years ago and have had no problems. http://abctrailerparts.com/axles.html

 

[Alumarine]

Hey guys, I live in Canada.
Custom axles aren't cheap here. I've been quoted $300 - $500.
I'm not going to order a custom axle, online, from across the border. Not going to happen.

The ones I can get that need stretching are $149.00 with posi lube hubs. Great deal for here.
The hubs are worth more than that.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Have you looked for an axle from a donor trailer?

 

[hemi rt]

By bent do you mean the axle is bent up in the middle of the axle, if so it is not bent per say. The bend in the middle of the axle is how they set camber and toe. These angles/measurements are set for the weight of the axle. If your axle is 2" in diameter then you have a 6000# axle.

 

[Alumarine]

By bent do you mean the axle is bent up in the middle of the axle, if so it is not bent per say. The bend in the middle of the axle is how they set camber and toe. These angles/measurements are set for the weight of the axle. If your axle is 2" in diameter then you have a 6000# axle.

No, it's bent back to front.
There's no camber left in the old axle.
I wore out a set of tires in about 1500 miles.

Also, the old axle has Unique hubs with bearing buddies. I dislike both.

New axle is 2-3/8" od round. Old axle was 2" square tube.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

What hub face measurement axle are you looking for or to build?

 

[redneck joe]

Can you sleeve the expansion
?

 

[Alumarine]

What hub face measurement axle are you looking for or to build?

88.75" between hubs and 72.75" for spring centers.

 

[Alumarine]

Can you sleeve the expansion
?

Not sure exactly what you mean but I can put a sleeve both inside and outside the cut tube.

 

[hemi rt]

You could try Standens, they have standard axles or custom built in the standard weights or custom weights, here's their address - www.standens.com

 

[redneck joe]

Not sure exactly what you mean but I can put a sleeve both inside and outside the cut tube.

Yep, that.

 

[Alumarine]

You could try Standens, they have standard axles or custom built in the standard weights or custom weights, here's their address - www.standens.com

Thanks for that. I may very well use them in the future.
I contacted them and with shipping it would be 332 + 15% taxes.
Not a bad price at all but right now 149 plus taxes with a bit of work is better for me.
I also have a time issue. I want to get it all done this weekend so I can use the boat before winter.

 

[Alumarine]

Ok, all done. Took it to a friend I used to work for.
Took 1.5 hours from start to finish.

We'll see how it works out.

This is the too short axle laid out with assorted flats under it to determine camber.

This is the plug friend made to extend it.

This is the plug ready for welding with the flats under it to preserver camber.

 

[hemi rt]

Thanks for that. I may very well use them in the future.
I contacted them and with shipping it would be 332 + 15% taxes.
Not a bad price at all but right now 149 plus taxes with a bit of work is better for me.
I also have a time issue. I want to get it all done this weekend so I can use the boat before winter.

When you use them you will be quiet surprised. I've used them for axles for construction trailers, RVs & campers, boat trailers, stock trailers and utility trailers with or without brakes and all where just bolt in and go I only had a problem with one axle and they worked on a weekend to get it resolved Excellent products and customer service.

I can see what you are saying about getting out, I have one more boat I want to splash, just waiting for our Indian summer and it looks like next week may be the start of it with Monday being 16 and then going up into the 20s after that.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Over the years I don't know how many axles, straight or drop, that I simply cut a few inches off the middle in the bandsaw and jigged up to weld the center. No need for a plug. This on horse trailers, equipment trailers , camping and boat trailer. A good weld is all that matters, very little stress on the center of an axle, all the forces are applies from springs out to bearings. Your fix will be just fine.

 

[Alumarine]

When you use them you will be quiet surprised. I've used them for axles for construction trailers, RVs & campers, boat trailers, stock trailers and utility trailers with or without brakes and all where just bolt in and go I only had a problem with one axle and they worked on a weekend to get it resolved Excellent products and customer service.

I can see what you are saying about getting out, I have one more boat I want to splash, just waiting for our Indian summer and it looks like next week may be the start of it with Monday being 16 and then going up into the 20s after that.

Glad to know they do good work. Thanks for the tip and enjoy any upcoming good weather.

 

[Alumarine]

Over the years I don't know how many axles, straight or drop, that I simply cut a few inches off the middle in the bandsaw and jigged up to weld the center. No need for a plug. This on horse trailers, equipment trailers , camping and boat trailer. A good weld is all that matters, very little stress on the center of an axle, all the forces are applies from springs out to bearings. Your fix will be just fine.

Thanks for that info. Good to know.
It only took him a few minutes to machine the plug.
It was more a case of looking in the steel rack for scraps and that was suitable.
He's been doing it for a bit.