Fender Extension help

[Starcraft5834]

Hi all, bought a 1987 Imperial cuddy with galvanized Shorlandr, replaced mostly everything on trailer, new lights, surge breaks, all except axel, I kept blowing bearings and just replaced the axel too, put on 3550lb square- Venture by Tie Down on, new spindles are milled nicely to specs and fit hubs like a glove now.. the old spindle was smooth as a baby butt, bearings moving around to much I suspect,, however.... even though the pre-drilled spring centers were 62 inches spot on, my overall wheel base expanded by about 3 inches which is nice for stability but not so nice for fenders. If I put the fenders back on, they now rub on outside of tires, so off the fenders went.. Trailer frame is 4 inches, in great shape. The fenders I took off mount against the frame, connection bolt is also used by Shorlandr in this particular model to hold the leaf springs up too. That was interesting when I took off the fender bots and the spring fell too.. took fender off and put spring back up no problem,, would rather connect new fenders to frame unless you guys are aware of a fender extender system I can safely use.. otherwise will run it without... thanks for any suggestions........ js

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Fender Extension help

Whom ever measured for the replacement axle got it wrong. So now you need a 1.5" spacer on each side of the trailer. Not really a hard item to make just buy some 1.5" square tubing and drill a few holes.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Fender Extension help

why was it measured wrong? it was the right axel.. the overall width was slightly wider than the original Shorlandr axel.. hence my problem. can you shoot me a link of extensions your speaking of? thanks js

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Fender Extension help

If it had been measured correctly you wouldn't need to relocate your fenders.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Fender Extension help

When you say, "measure correctly" what are you talking about? the overall length of the 1985 Shorlandr Axel and spindle is marginally shorter than the new axel and spindle set up... how is it possible to get an exact fit from a 28 year old axel? I looked around at a bunch of axels, the one I installed had pre drilled spring center holes exact at 62 inches, to what I needed, it installed nicely, it ended up being a few inches wider overall. The extra width even by a few inches is good for stability,, will look around for what your talking about,, thanks for the input....

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Fender Extension help

no idea how your fenders mount, I had to grind mine off and re-weld them to the angle iron - steel fenders. My trailer is a 1967 and no one made the right axle - not even special order.
There's a thousand ways trailer makers have mounted fenders over the years. Maybe a pic or ten would help.
There won't be a kit, but lots can be done with stuff from the hardware aisle of Home Depot.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Fender Extension help

You can order axles to the exact measurements you need for not much more then what you can buy in the stores. Check with you local high school or community college that have metals or welding classes. The students get credit for making your spacers and you won't get charged much.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Fender Extension help

that year shorlandr used same bolts to hold fender and leaf springs in place. If I can find the right tubing your talking about, could drill as you said, get longer bolts and solve the issue,, or will run without fenders....no big deal... its been a pain in the *** with my bearing issues... the old spindle and new hubs were not liking each other much.... its not a weight issue... boats 2500lbs... on a 3500 set up...now ive got new spindles that match todays hub set up, the bearings should be happy in there now, I think I've got it licked now,,,thanks again for suggestion js

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Fender Extension help

how is it possible to get an exact fit from a 28 year old axel? I looked around at a bunch of axels, the one I installed had pre drilled spring center holes exact at 62 inches, to what I needed, it installed nicely, it ended up being a few inches wider overall. The extra width even by a few inches is good for stability,, will look around for what your talking about,, thanks for the input....

I managed to find an exact match for my 47 year old axle. How did I do it? I made two measurements. Spring centers and overall length. Went to the store and picked up the exact replacement. You based everything off the spring centers and skipped the overall length and ended up with an axle that doesn't fit.

My advice to you is to one of two things. First look for a wider fender or skip the fenders all together. Spacers are not a good idea since you say the fender mount and spring hanger are one and the same. Adding a spacer will increase flex in an area you don't want to be flexing.

Make that a third thing you could do. Return the wrong axle and get the right one. Then all will go together as designed by Shorelandr, which is a good thing.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Fender Extension help

Skipping Fenders Altogether......... The new axel gives me a few inches wider travel which I like anyway, the axel is made by Tie Down, as is the Hub/Rotor, surge break system I just installed, new spindle and hubs fits perfectly as they should, old spindle was smooth as babies butt, new hubs and bearings fit,, BUT.......... a 1985 worn out spindle without mill definition even wiggling a smidge is and was a bad thing....I figured there was no easy answer to the fender issue... Im running without.... thanks much!! Fish On!!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Fender Extension help

From the PA vehicle code

? 175.128. Chassis.

(e) Fender and flaps. The wheels of a trailer originally manufactured with fenders or flaps shall be equipped with fenders or flaps of a type used as original equipment.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Fender Extension help

I would have some pieces of pipe cut to length and run bolts through to make spacers. That way its solid

 

[Don Hansen]

Re: Fender Extension help

Guess I'm lucky. There's a local guy who will build you a custom axle. You bring him the old axle and he'll measure between the spring mounts and also the hub flanges to build you an axle any weight capacity you want.

DLH

 

[batman99]

Re: Fender Extension help

.

If the new axles is slightly longer than previous axle and it's now "better for you", then great. If wondering, I installed 1" longer axle on one of my utility trailers and it worked great. Luckily, I didn't have to modify its existing fenders. For your situation, I'd recommending visiting a few welding shops in your area. For your boat trailer, ask them how they would modify its existing fenders or perhaps (if needed) install new fenders. They might recommend fender spacers or fabricate new fenders. They build and you paint them - to save a few dollars. Whichever works best for you.

To find welding shops in your area, simply use Good Search. For example, use https://www.google.ca/ and use "your_Town_Name Welding" as its search string. Then, call around - to inquire if they do small retail jobs - like your boat fender mod needs. Works for me - for my region.

If wondering, using a trailer without fenders is illegal. Trailers need fenders to stop excessive crud / stones flying (especially while towing on dirt / gravel roads) and trailer > 80" need fenders to support outer Red and Orange "outer edge" clearance lights. Fenders are good to step on - to get in/out of loaded boat as well.

Hope this helps..

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Fender Extension help

Thanks Batman,, yes, tonight I sent the fenders off to a friend who welds,, I need 1 1/2 inch extension, he's going to weld spacer in for me.. js