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Jun
Adding another 3k axle isnt going to make it a 6k trailer without beefing up the frame tongue ball coupler etc. Likely the pivot equalizer between the 2 sets of springs will need to be at the location where your current axle is.
You need to find out what the axel is rated for what the trailer is rated for GVWR and see if its sufficient for the boat.
Adding an axle to a trailer. How to Install an Axle on a Trailer Lift up the trailer using the jack and place the frame and axle on jack stands. Remove the tires using the tire iron. Unbolt the u-bolts that secure the axle to the leaf springs using the 12-inch ratchet and sockets.
You could add a second axle to a trailer that doubles its axle capacity but this does not ensure the other parts of the trailer such as its frame or coupler have that same doubled capacity. Remove the axle from the trailer with the help of an assistant. This is going to be heavy so youll want help to take it out.
Slide the replacement axle into the same spot as the original axle with the help of an assistant. Lift it up and place it onto the jack stands to support the new axle while you tighten things up. The Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Kit K71-360-00 is designed for 33 inch axle spacing.
To add your third axle you cannot simply add a hanger spring and axle. You can keep your 35 inch spacing but you will need to relocate your hangers. Ive attached an article to help with the proper positioning of your axles.
Trying to upgrade a trailer to a higher overall capacity is pretty difficult and it can never be verified if you did actually upgrade the trailers capacity. While axle capacity is a huge factor in determining the overall capacity of a trailer you also have to figure in the weight the trailer frame and coupler was rated to carry. You can add another axle but you only really need to if the single isnt sufficient for the weight.
You need to find out what the axel is rated for what the trailer is rated for GVWR and see if its sufficient for the boat. If not it may require more than just a second axle to make it sufficient for your boat. In our example above the trailer axle position is 55 of bed length.
If we put it at 60 the tongue weight becomes 501 Lbs 167. Or if we take the toolbox off and went to 15 tongue weight the desired trailer axle position is 65 of the bed. These examples show that the 60 guess-of-thumb is not always best.
Improper placement of a trailer axle reduces load capacity towability and safety. Placing the axle too close to the rear of the trailer frame increases the tongue weight overloading the trailer hitch and rear tires of the tow vehicle. Placing the axle too far forward could remove too much tongue weight possibly.
Im considering adding a third axle to the trailer. I need feed back on the pros and cons of a third axle other than the added tire cost. Ive heard that tri axle trailers are bad for scuffing tires in turns.
Many trailers are way overbuilt some by design some by accident but if your loads are limited by licensed gross adding a third axle axle reduces the load on the trailer frame - both for geometric reasons and because you will lose payload from the increased empty weight. USING the extra axle to raise gross will of course increase it. Now you know 2 great tips for making a better mount for trailer axle springs.
Dont weld on the stress faces of a beam and 2. Add a stress buffer to spread concentrations. For a third tip use longer leaf springs.
The change is not as dramatic but its in the right direction. A good general rule of thumb for adding bed length is do it in the same proportions as exist on the trailer. For instance lets look at an example where the current bed length is 10 and the axle is located 510 from the front of the bed.
The problem with just adding an axle is the trailer frame itself is usually built to hold around what the axle is rated to. Adding another 3k axle isnt going to make it a 6k trailer without beefing up the frame tongue ball coupler etc. Pics will help for sure.
If the trailer frame is well built I would think about replacing the existing axle with a heavy rated one in your case a 5 or. The Axle-Less suspension loads the trailer frame more like a torsion axle so adding a stress distribution member is a good idea. Finally figure out some way to align them.
Relying on frame members to be true and square is a bad idea. Adding an axle is going to involve taking some measurements and doing a little math. I have included a picture that shows how to determine axle spacing on a trailer build.
Once the positioning is figured out you can select the other components needed such as. How to replace the wheel hub spindle on a trailer axle wheel bearing assembly - YouTube. Adding an axel to my pontoon trailer You will likely need to move your existing axle when you add the second one depending on how your tongue weight is now.
Likely the pivot equalizer between the 2 sets of springs will need to be at the location where your current axle is. Adding an axle to a mug fugly trailer. I really should not talk this way.
This thing has been here for years and hauled a 1400 SCCA race carmany enjoyable times. The car is goneand I have finished Frank. This is a paddock bike400cc Suzuki and 250 Timberwolf.
LIghts brakeslots of time.