Axle

MRS

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Jul 10, 2005
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:mad-new: Ok this is the brand new axle went from square to round and the chamber on the axle is on top.



The distance from spring pads to end of the spindle is 15 inches I am now wondering if that is the cause of all my troubles. Most axles that are 95 inches show spring pad centers around 80 to 82 inches mine measures 70 5/8.
Trailer is 6 foot wide is this standard axle is #3500 Thanks for any help this is my third axle.:grumpy:

 
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lckstckn2smknbrls

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Sep 18, 2008
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Re: Axle

Is that a pre-cambered axle? If it is it's mounted upside down if it's not pre-cambered maybe you need one.
 

Idlespeedonly

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Jun 30, 2011
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779
Re: Axle

Look like its to wide. But i think you need to have it pre cambered. Like the previous poster stated. Is the trailer home meade?
 
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MRS

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Re: Axle

Yes it is cambered did mount it with camber on top. idle I also think it is to long of a distance from spring plates to the end of axle you can see axle ends are not straight. trailer came with boat had a boat builder tag on it but that does not mean some one did not change axle to what was on it. Right now face to face is 95" spring mounts are 70 5/8s from checking on thinks looks like I should have a 88" face to face measurement for the 70 5/8s spring mount measurement. Maybe I will have to raise the boat so wheels and fenders will clear so I can run the shorter axle on it.
 

smokeonthewater

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Re: Axle

that axle is WAY too long for that trailer..... YES that IS the source of your problem
 

bruceb58

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Re: Axle

Out of curiosity, what is the axle rated for and what is the weight of the boat and trailer. It does look WAY too long.
 

bonz_d

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Re: Axle

Question noone has seemed to ask is how do the measurements compare/match to the original axle? Was it cambered?

With the number of trailer part supply houses and trailer repair stores around it's very hard to believe someone couldn't match up what you had. Most places it's just a matter of giving them the dimention and location of where the pads are to be welded.

Hope you can return it for the correct one.
 

Frank Acampora

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12,004
Re: Axle

Look at the tire in relation to the fender mounts: It is sticking out when it should be a lot closer to the frame. The axle is WAY too long for the trailer.
 

Alan Lloys

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Aug 16, 2012
Messages
99
Re: Axle

For starters the overhang is too much. Maximum is usually 18" for most 3500 lbs axles.
Based on your information you have 25" so there is too much bending moment on the ends which will cause the bending you are seeing.

Visually it looks like the wheel should sit in between the steps on the trailer so the axle should probably be 10" shorter.

Is this trailer made for the specific boat? What is the weight of the boat and the trailer and how does it compare to the axle?
 

mla2ofus

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Dec 30, 2008
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Re: Axle

That looks like a whole lot of boat on a single axle tlr.
Mike
 

Thalasso

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Re: Axle

That tire can't come in to much more. When you put the fender on top it will be right against the hull.
Like someone said boat looks to be to much for the trailer. (single axle)
 

bonz_d

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Apr 22, 2008
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Re: Axle

Looks like a consensus. WRONG AXLE..

Question now becomes who's fault. Seller? buyer? Bought it that way?
 

Thalasso

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Re: Axle

For standard leaf spring axles you want to have the spring center and track length measurements. Spring center is easy. Center of spring on one side to center of spring on the other side. The track length is a little harder. The best way to measure is from hub face to hub face. (measure the hub face from your old axle) if it worked before changing out.
Using a spring seat measurement that is too narrow will likely lead to your axle bending. Using a spring seat measurement that is too wide will lead to your tires rubbing on your trailer frame and/or leaf springs.
 
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bonz_d

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Re: Axle

A competant sales person from any trailer shop could have provided all this info. Most even post pictures on how to measure it all.

So someone either bought whatever was available or was misled by the sales person or a combination of both! Trailer axles do at times have a camber to them with the camber facing up. Causing the wheels to look like they are leaning out at the top. When loaded the axle flexes and causes the tires to run square, any good trailer shop would know this and explain it.

Sorry to say it but someone screwed up this trailer with an incorrect axle. Too wide, too much camber. This thing will wear out tires like mad and then someone will question why.
 
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MRS

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Re: Axle

Yes they did screw it up now I am trying to get it right I am going to go to a shorter axle hub face to hub face 88" from what has been on there is 95" hub to hub. I have looked at other trailers with wide boats on them and the boats are wider than the trailers but lifted higher than the tires and fenders so will try this and hope it works. reason for going with the 88" axle found a site that gives the best information about trailer axles and how they fit site is BTP dot com really gives some great info. I will change bunk boards from 2x6 to 4x4 and I think that will give me enough height to clear the tires and fenders this will be my forth axle on this trailer thanks for all the replies so far.
 

bonz_d

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Re: Axle

I truely think you need to take this to a real trailer shop so they can see what's happening.
Did the trailer originally have a cambered axle on it? Or was it a straight axle?
I do not see anything about the frame of that trailer that looks messed up. All looks original. The problem is all in the suspension, Axle and maybe springs.

Do you know who did the work to this trailer? Was it purchased this way?

Either way it can be fixed. It's just going to cost some time and money. As for changing from 2X6 to 4X4 I think is a waste of time, money ane effort. Get the right axle and possibly springs under it and you should be fine.
 
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MRS

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Re: Axle

bonz I am going to take it to a shop and see what they say the springs are new and the axle is also but I am thinking the axle length is the wrong deal. Thanks for all the replies so far.
 

bonz_d

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Re: Axle

Do not forget to ask about the axle camber. What is on there looks way too severe. With the boat loaded you shoud not visually see the amount of camber that is there. With that It will wear the inside tread of those tire in just short piriod of time.

I'll be hoping for the best for you. In this case I would rather pay some extra money to someone that knows what they are doing than to keep going through what looks like a mess you find yourself in.

Do you know who made the trailer? Brand? Model number? trailer specs?
 
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smokeonthewater

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Re: Axle

Don't bother with taking it to a shop.... Get the correct length axle and mount it axle UNDER the springs instead of over them.

I suspect that will solve your issues.
 
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