Trailer axles??

Stinky_Hooker · #1 01-19-2005, 02:07 PM

I know you guys are sick of me.. ;D but i have a question.

My current trailer axles are going to have to be rebuilt. I am going to do ALL new...axles,hubs.wheels/tires,etc..I am wondering if I should stay with the current dual axles, or change to single and bump the size to a 15" rim. Will the lesser initial expense be outweighed eventually by more wear and tear?? If i do stay with the duals i will upgrade to at least 13's because the current 12's a VERY stressed , I mean it left ruts in my yard when i brought her home.

What do ya,ll think??

Airslot · #2 01-19-2005, 02:35 PM

I have a single axle trailer w/ 5000# axle, springs, and 15" tires under my V-20. Most people, including myself, will reccomend that you stay withg the tandem axles. Some times I wish I had them. The boat will trailer better on two axles. I'd look at 14" wheels if it were me.

When you get to doing this work remember that it much easier to cut or break the old bolts to remove them.

Airslot

macojoe · #3 01-19-2005, 03:24 PM

I had a single when I bought my boat, and it was fine. I had to put a new axle on it and a few other things.
But it was a 1980 trailer and last year I had the cash and bought a Brand new tandem, It was the best thing I ever did!!
That said if you are like me (NO MONEY) Then you have to do what you can afford! And I had to keep patching for 5 years till i could afford a new one.
A new trailer will be at least $3,000 now!!

If using the trailer to go to and from the ramp twice a year cause you have a mooring the single will be fine.
If you live a few minutes from the ramp then single is fine!
But if you fish allot and have to travel any length of time to a ramp the stay with tandem!!

And make sure you have a new wheel on that grinder!! The grinder and a good hammer are going to be your best friends soon!

Stinky_Hooker · #4 01-19-2005, 03:28 PM

yeah im sure!!!on the grider thang. i have about an hour run and I usually fish alot,so Im thinking long term the tandem will be best.

macojoe · #5 01-19-2005, 03:33 PM

for that much use Tandem is the only way to go!!

I had got some 5000# mono leaf springs form Northern tools when I did mine!! They were great!! They a a single spring that last longer as they are thick metal, the do not trap water between the other leafs, and there was never any squeaking ever again when they did get rust on them!
Just a thought? I have one pair in the celing of my basement cause they messed up and sent me to pair for one money! ;D

Blue_Runner · #6 01-19-2005, 05:30 PM

Stinky,

I just finished completely re-building my trailer. It is a 1978 Cox tandem axle. The galvanized framing looked great, everything else looked like stinky (no pun intended).

When I got the axles off and pulled the hubs, I wiped away the old grease from the axle and the axles looked like new. There was surface rust on the axle mid-section (not the part where the hubs go) that was easily taken care of with a wire brush.

So, with that in mind, there was no need to replace my axles. I put new bearings, u-bolts, springs, wheels, tires, bearing buddies, and a couple of good coats of rustoleum paint on the axle mid-section and the U-bolts. Cost me about $350.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't buy new axles unless you see that they are worn once you pull the hubs.

Good luck, and get yourself some power/air tools to remove those old U-bolts (or just break them if you can, as someone else has posted). They're hell on the arms!!

Blue

chumbucket · #7 01-19-2005, 06:00 PM

I too, like most everyone else here, would recommend a tandem axle.
My concern is your statement that the current trailer has 12" wheels. If that's the case, I would seriously look at the trailer ratings if you don't know what it is already. Sounds like even with tandem axles, it's underrated for your boat. Some trailers can be modified and upgraded by installing heavier springs, axles, and tires. Some I wouldn't recommend doing that because of the frame size. The other concern is that if it is underrated and you get in a serious accident while towing, insurance companies may question that fact and or refuse to cover you.
Check that out before you go too far with the rebuild/repairs and decide if it's worth it or not. Maybe a good used trailer is in order if the budget doesn't allow a new one right now. Then sell the one you have to re-coup some of the cash.
Just something else to think about. ;)

reelapeelin · #8 01-19-2005, 08:18 PM

I'm w/Airslot and MJ...keep those dual axles if the budget allows...14" wheels would be perfect....I've had GREAT service from a set of Goodyear Marathon Radials...And I swear it rolls better w/these tires than bias-plys...little more and WORTH IT :D...

#9 01-19-2005, 08:18 PM

SH - Do whatever you feel like doing. This is still America, right?? If they can't take a joke - screw 'em.

Just kidding ... CB beat me to it. :)

Stinky_Hooker · #10 01-19-2005, 09:46 PM

In response to CB...the trailer is VERY heavy duty and rock solid,so im not concerned with that. I did baffle me however when i got the boat that they would put 12inch rims on such a heacy duty trailer/boat. it really does look funny!!

The axles DO have to be replaced though as they are rusted away to almost nothing,I wasa surprised i even got it home.

Thanks for all the help guys.