help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

[73 Dolphin]

I saw an all stainless steel trailer on Craigslist about 8 months ago. The frame was ss as were the axles and subframe. I ended up buying the sub frame and ss torsion axle and putting it under my 25ft float on aluminum that needed the two steel torsions replace.

There was a plate on the trailer frame stamped with 3500lb capacity, so I figured the axle would be good for my 2100lb or so that my boat weights.

To cut a long story short the ( single ) axle is about bottomed out. Also it is very unusual. They have pivoting arms and fiberglass planks ( about 5"x 9" and 1/2" thick ) that act as springs. Can't find another axle that looks like this. All stainless steel. I guess I need uprated fiberglass springs but don't have the first idea how to get them.

Is anyone familiar with this axle set up who can point me in the right direction ?

The entire axle, subframe and swing arms are all stainless steel.

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Thanks for any help guys !

 

[Bondo]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Ayuh,... Never seen, nor heard of such a thing,... No names or numbers stamped anywhere,..??

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

No names or numbers. The trailer frame did have a name badge but I cannot remember what it was and I did an extensive web search before I forgot and found nothing !

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

After doing a little research, I'm going to throw a couple of "I think"s out here...

like, I think your axle isn't actually a torsion axle...

--which is (typically) a piece of square rod at a 45? angle within a larger hollow square tube, with rubber cords inserted into the voids; the more the rod turns within the tube, the more the cords squish and resist the turning...

I may be wrong, but your axle---

--- looks to be a variation of a typical coil spring axle, where the axle has it's spring between the axle and frame, and pivots via struts. Your axle uses a fiberglass spring to save space (same reason Corvette's use 'em). I also think your trailer is home made, or maybe a prototype someone built. One giveaway is the angle iron where the fender is attached, I would think an 'assembly line' trailer would have that sharp corner ground to the same shape as the fender...

That all said, it looks very functional. but just based on the picture I'm thinking the main issue is that those fiberglass springs simply aren't up to the task of holding up half of your boat!

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Thanks Frantically Relaxing. That about sums it up.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

... but just based on the picture I'm thinking the main issue is that those fiberglass springs simply aren't up to the task of holding up half of your boat!

You might try replacing the fiberglass spring with a steel leaf spring.
A suspension shop should be able to make one of the correct dimensions with mounting holes in the right place.
They make custom springs all day long.

A place to Start. Tampa Spring.

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

You might try replacing the fiberglass spring with a steel leaf spring.
A suspension shop should be able to make one of the correct dimensions with mounting holes in the right place.
They make custom springs all day long.

A place to Start. Tampa Spring.

Thanks.I might give them a call. Also was thinking of calling one of the mobile trailer repair folks locally in case they have seen a set up like this. I have no idea of the load bearing strength of that pre-bent fiberglass spring and would not know how to compare it to steel , or if steel would even work. The spring is curved and offers resistance. When it is fully loaded is flattens out. The picture was take on the original trailer with no load.

 

[Bondo]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Ayuh,.... Something like this might also offer an alternative...

I have no idea of the load bearing strength of that pre-bent fiberglass spring

Ya need to know what the Axle is rated for, then match the springs to That ratin'....

 

[NYBo]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Stainless steel? Sure doesn't look like it.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

The trailer looks like it was made for a tinny and im unsure that kind of set up can be upgraded to take the weight of your boat as the spring is counter acting on the small bolt in front of it. Even if the spring was replaced thats a lot of weight on a angle iron (ss) type trailer.
i have seen that type of set up used on 4x4 trucks but the mounting point is clamped one end to the box section of the frame as it puts alot of force in that area.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

My .02


just put that bastard trailer back on craigslist as a "custom all stainless small boat trailer" collect more than it is really worth from someone who is all excited about the stainless and then just purchase the parts needed for your trailer for less than you sell it for... It has some "neat factor" to it but frankly it isn't worth the trouble.

YMMV

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Air bags may work

 

[SWD]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

my .02


just put that bastard trailer back on craigslist as a "custom all stainless small boat trailer" collect more than it is really worth from someone who is all excited about the stainless and then just purchase the parts needed for your trailer for less than you sell it for... It has some "neat factor" to it but frankly it isn't worth the trouble.

Ymmv

x 2

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Ok. Haven't checked this thread in a few days. A couple of things.....
The boat is a tinny weighing around 2200lbs. The trailer is not all stainless steel,
just the axle and sub-frame. The trailer frame is an aluminum float on.
Yes air bags may be the way to go. Not sure why BYBo thinks "it sure doesn't look like stainless". ( lol ).
Original trailer was stamped 3500lb. thanks !

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

oh and also not a small boat trailer. Its 25 feet long.

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Does anybody know where I would start to look for airbags ?

 

[Bondo]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Does anybody know where I would start to look for airbags ?

Ayuh,... Ya can't use airbags, without on-board air....

Did ya click on the link I posted in #9,..??

It's for Timbren Rubber springs,...
Sorta airbags, without the air...

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Bond-o. I totally missed that link. Looks like it may be perfect. Thanks.

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Spoke to the guys over there and they are designed for leaf springs. Point being ( I think ) That the top surface of the axle with leafs
stays parallel to the ground under load. Mine pivots on that swing arms ,or what have you, so the top angle will vary. I suppose mounting them with the correct angle of contact might work also ? I'm a bit concerned that the non official website reviews I happened upon were disappointing. They were people talking about over stiffness and painfully bumpy rides when mounted to pick up trucks to prevent towing sag and correct ride height. Also my trailer frame is about 2 or 3 feet narrower that the axles overall, the subframe being wider, that these rubber springs will be an additional 6-8 towards axle center on each side. So I worry it might want to bend the axle. I guess I'll measure up and give them another call. Also it's around $240 for two hollow rubber springs that I am guessing are the size of a coke can or smaller and two angle mounting brackets. Not cheap for they are but cheap compared to two new axles ! Will keep you posted. Thanks !