trailer axle replacement questions

[gride830]

i am going thru tires every 2,000 miles. I already plan on switching to radials but the current bias tires are wearing the inside edges way too fast. I put a straight edge on the current axle and it is definitely bent. So, i need to replace the axle and this is where my questions start. I found this axle online that i think will work best.

http://www.easternmarine.com/70-Round-Tube-Straight-Trailer-Axle-3500-lb/

I did get a current axle weight on my boat and trailer. the net weight was right at 2,200lbs. If i add a couple coolers, tackle etc, i guess i can top out at 2500ish. most axles are 2,000-2,200 lbs and then the next step of axles are typically 3,500lbs. My issue is the cambered axle(the axle doesnt straighten out until weight is applied???). does that mean it takes 3,500lbs to straighten the axle out for even tire wear or does the axle straighten out with a smaller weight and the max load is 3,500lbs. Just need pointers on the cambered axle??? I need even tire wear....tired of buying tires.
john

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer axle replacement questions

The axle will likely never straighten out to become perfectly straight. Cambered axles are designed to become a "little straighter" than normal rather than wearing the inside edges of the tires as is the case with a straight axle that allows opposite camber under load. By all means install a cambered axle.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: trailer axle replacement questions

I just put some straight axles on my boat trailer. I ordered them from a place in texas, came with hubs, bearings, seals. for about I think $150 axle, you order to length and weld your axles rests on.
These where straigh not cambered.
My cambered axles on my travel trailer do not straighten out, so I be it does not matter cambered or not.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer axle replacement questions

I just put some straight axles on my boat trailer. I ordered them from a place in texas, came with hubs, bearings, seals. for about I think $150 axle, you order to length and weld your axles rests on.
These where straigh not cambered.
My cambered axles on my travel trailer do not straighten out, so I be it does not matter cambered or not.

It does matter whether cambered or not. Especially as one gets up into the 2/3 area of maximum axle capacity. My pontoon trailer has a straight axle and it definitely bows. The Shorelander trailer for my walley boat has a cambered axle and it doesn't. Actually it does but you cannot determine the exact amount. A straight axle when loaded can only continue to bow downward. Same effect on a cambered axle but the effect at the wheel is for it to run more vertical and not with negative camber.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: trailer axle replacement questions

what is a cambered axle? Is that the ones with the u-bend in the middle?

 

[sublauxation]

Re: trailer axle replacement questions

what is a cambered axle? Is that the ones with the u-bend in the middle?

Yup, that's what it is. The guy I bought mine from specifically told me not to buy one with camber. That may be because I'm at little more than 1/2 capacity.

@Silvertip... You say camber is important at about 2/3 capacity, aside from possible problems finding tires, would it make more sense then to buy a heavier straight axle that will flex less, as any degree of flex will wear tires unevenly?