help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

[Bondo]

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 !

Ayuh,.... I see ya re-engineerin' the Whole thing, buyin' the Pieces from Timbren, not their "Kits".....

If ya remove the fiberglass leaf, 'n it's bracket, then put a rubber spring right on top of the axle, where the leaf goes,...
The top of the rubber spring will ride/ be attached to the bottom of the angle iron sub-frame....

The trailin' arm will still locate the axle, 'n the load will be 'bout where it oughta be, though the angle iron top might need reinforcin'...

Are ya lookin' for a smooth ride quality, or fixin' a one-off design that didn't work, with another one-off design that probably Will work...

Just size the rubber springs to the anticipated loads, 'n it oughta be just Fine....

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

Ayuh,.... I see ya re-engineerin' the Whole thing, buyin' the Pieces from Timbren, not their "Kits".....

If ya remove the fiberglass leaf, 'n it's bracket, then put a rubber spring right on top of the axle, where the leaf goes,...
The top of the rubber spring will ride/ be attached to the bottom of the angle iron sub-frame....

The trailin' arm will still locate the axle, 'n the load will be 'bout where it oughta be, though the angle iron top might need reinforcin'...

Are ya lookin' for a smooth ride quality, or fixin' a one-off design that didn't work, with another one-off design that probably Will work...

Just size the rubber springs to the anticipated loads, 'n it oughta be just Fine....

I cant just put the rubber springs from Timbren on to the swing arm ( or top frame to make contact with swingarm ). They are supplemental. I'll still need the fiberglass spring in place. They do make complete suspension systems also...

Problem is I originally listened to some friends who thought the single axle would be fine. My boat weighs around 2200-2500lbs ( should verify this ) and then there's the weight of the trailer itself. ( 25 ft float on aluminum ). The axle is rated at 3500lbs. It must be close to that now. The Timbren rubber springs I'd use are rated at 1000 lbs. I'd be looking to position them to make contact with the axle around half travel of the fiberglass leaf so the action of the rubber springs works with the fiberglass springs.

I'm going to take some better pictures this weekend and will post so you can have a better idea of how it's all put together right now.

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

If you are determined to keep the axle and subframe then just pull the trailing arm stuff and put regular leaf springs on it and be done with it.

two springs, two shackles, two shackle hangers, 4 u bolts, and two spring plates..... done deal

 

[Bondo]

Re: help needed with my stainless steel trailer axles !

View attachment 183931

I'm going to take some better pictures this weekend and will post so you can have a better idea of how it's all put together right now.

Ayuh,.... Move the jack to the Frame, insteada under the axle... That picture is worst than the 1st one...

'n regardless what you think, 'n say,...
Puttin' a rubber spring in it, as I stated, Will Work....
With a 3500lb. axle, I'd put a 2000lb rubber spring in each side, 'n Run it...

A180-65 2,000 6,500 2 - 3/8 2 - 7/8 0 - 15/16 1 - 7/16 3 - 3/8 A1602B 0 - 11
is a 2000lb rubber single convoluted spring...