Change Axle?

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san dimas

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I have a trailer that I would like to narrow the axle on by about 6". There is plenty of room to do this. Can I buy a narrower axle and if so how much are they.
 
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BrianNJ

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Re: Change Axle?

You might do best talking to a competent welder/metal shop. The axle is usually a straight shaped square tube with spindles welded to the ends. Shortening might be possible by cutting the ends and replacing the spindles. Posting some pictures might get you some more specific advice.
 
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san dimas

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Re: Change Axle?

Could I take the 6" out of the center of the axle? I have a good welder that could easily do the welding. My trailer is 97" wide at the tires and my storage door is 96" wide.:eek:
 
GA_Boater

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Re: Change Axle?

san dimas said:
Could I take the 6" out of the center of the axle? I have a good welder that could easily do the welding. My trailer is 97" wide at the tires and my storage door is 96" wide.:eek:
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No - the spring mounts will be off by three inches on both sides.
 
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bassman284

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Re: Change Axle?

I wouldn't do it at the center. Seems to me that would weaken the axle but then I'm not an expert on welding.
 
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BrianNJ

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Re: Change Axle?

I cannot say for sure. Making a good splice in the middle might require some reenforcement. If your welder knows what he is doing, he should be able to provide some advice. If the axle is galvanized, keep in mind that the cut and splice won't be galvanized. This is probably more of a consideration if you are dipping into saltwater.

Of course, a shorter axle means there will be less lateral stability on the road. Is the boat heavy?
 
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BrianNJ

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Re: Change Axle?

GA_Boater said:
No - the spring mounts will be off by three inches on both sides.
Click to expand...

This is a legitimate possibility. If the spring mounts are welded to the axle, this will be an issue. Without pictures, we cannot tell. Some trailers have U-bolts holding the spring to the axle.
 
MRS

MRS

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Re: Change Axle?

san dimas if you do live in san dimas Ca. there is a axle place in Pomona I think on holt not sure if it is holt. But I will be down there shortly to pick up new axle for my trailer they will build any length axle you need if they are not in stock already.
Plus price is good on there axles and any parts you might need.
 
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san dimas

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Re: Change Axle?

Thanks MRS. Are you thinking of Pacific Trailer in Chino? I here they are good and reasonable.
 
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limitout

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Re: Change Axle?

unless you can do the welding yourself it doesn't cost that much more then you'd spend paying someone to be cutting and welding on your old axle then it would cost you to just buy a new axle.

first off lets see some pictures of the trailer and the way it looks right now and explain what, how, and why you are changing it.

lots of gret advice here but to get good help more info is needed
 
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san dimas

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Re: Change Axle?

I'll take some pictures and post them. The other issue I have is I would like to be able to move the boat in and out of it's parking place. I live in a town home and we have an RV lot as part of our association fees. It would be great if I could easily move the boat around to hook it up to my car. The boat is 1997 Monark 1700. NADA says it is 1000lbs. I don't know if that includes the 200lb outboard or not. The trailer must be 500lbs or so. I'm going to take it to a scale soon and see what it weighs. Then I can also make my tongue weight correct. Are these dollys you can buy helpful? Harbor Freight has them for $60.
 
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san dimas

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Re: Change Axle?

If I move the wheels in a couple of inches I can leave the boat in my machine shop when I'm working on it insted of hauling it home every nite. Right now it won't go in the shop door. That's the only reason. I'm also considering installing electric brakes so my Ford Escape will stop better.
 
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limitout

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Re: Change Axle?

san dimas said:
I'll take some pictures and post them. The other issue I have is I would like to be able to move the boat in and out of it's parking place. I live in a town home and we have an RV lot as part of our association fees. It would be great if I could easily move the boat around to hook it up to my car. The boat is 1997 Monark 1700. NADA says it is 1000lbs. I don't know if that includes the 200lb outboard or not. The trailer must be 500lbs or so. I'm going to take it to a scale soon and see what it weighs. Then I can also make my tongue weight correct. Are these dollys you can buy helpful? Harbor Freight has them for $60.
Click to expand...

I can tell you moving my flat boat around my yard on the grass with 8x480 tires required 2 people or a running start to hit it to get it moving (like a tackling dummy lol) then I went to 12x480 tires and it was easier but it was still a real bear and if it sat for 30 minutes it sunk into a depression that was hard to get it moving again without rocking back and forth. since I now have 13" tires, because they are wider, they roll with half the effort of the 12's I had before and they don't form a depression sitting on the ground unless it sits there for several hours or overnight so that should give you some ideas.
 
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MRS

MRS

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Re: Change Axle?

No it is arrow trailers they have a rv store in front and a axle shop in the back been there a hundred years. If you get a round axle they have a ton in stock I get the square any they do have to make so takes alittle while to get but they have always been good and cost less than most places.
 
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san dimas

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Re: Change Axle?

Where I store the boat is paved with asphalt so sinking in isn't a problem. There is a slight incline but very little.
 
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I`mNotMe

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Re: Change Axle?

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Yes. Would be nice to see pictures of current axle and current wheel position (also showing fender position / clearance measurements).

Some axle tubes are round with molded ends. Some axle tubes are square with molded ends. And, some are bar design with spindles inserted in each axle tube end. Many different axle designs in use today...

Suggest pulling your trailer (with boat on it) to a few welding shops and allow them an in-depth visual. They will recommend changing existing axle and if less costly, perhaps replacing with new axle (with shorter hub face axle). With the trailer in their sights, they can also perform visual checks on fender spacing. And if needed, re-position the fenders as well. Each axle (trailer with boat) is unique...

Hope this helps..
 
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smokeonthewater

smokeonthewater

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Re: Change Axle?

narrowing the axle is a very easy task for a competent welder/fabricator BUT a new axle may well be cheaper...

If you do narrow the axle... the center or near it is the best place to cut because there is the least stress there... the spring pads are a non issue... just move em OR abandon em and mount new ones where needed.... If you DO choose to narrow, CLOSE attention must be paid to camber and toe... the beam MAY not be straight but rather MAY have a bow to it to set camber... do NOT try to cut and weld at the ends... the spindles are not easily removed without damaging and a jig is requires to get them welded in true
 
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