Trailer suspension

[bogydave]

Decided to check the suspension.
Jack stands on one side of the axles & trailer.
Impact wrench amazingly took the bolts out.

Glad I did.
Bolts worn, bushings all but gone.
Bolt holes for the double axle suspension hangers are eggs shaped.

back to sixrobbles again tomorrow.



new kit about $130. Dont' know if that for both sides . Will see tomorrow

 

[MasterMech]

Another reason torsion axles rock. I sure am glad you caught that before loading up Dave. Bet you are too.

 

[bogydave]

Another reason torsion axles rock. I sure am glad you caught that before loading up Dave. Bet you are too.

Yea. Mechanic buddy stopped by. Recommended I pull it apart & replace the bushing.
Looks like more than bushings need replaced.

When looking I did find a 2 year old one with no brakes for $2500.
Got room to spend a little $$ to do some maintenance & be safe.

Makes me understand the price of a new one. Especially here.
I couldn't buy the axles, tires & steel here for $1200. So I think I did OK.

 

[MasterMech]

What would a pair of 3500lb torsion axles run you Dave? Down here we can get big parts pretty cheap compared to you guys. It's a shame the suspension needs so much from you.

 

[bogydave]

Cost $$ wasn't so bad , $87 did both sides.
Didn't get the fancy ones with grease zerks in the bolts.
I figure these lasted 16 years & didn't fall apart.



I consider it usable now. Bearings, brakes , spare tire, lights, suspension & registration done.
Just over $300 so far.
Plus I owe the wife diner for getting the registration problems ironed out.
Eventually I'll get the wood replaced, attach a ramp, some paint maybe & mount the spare on the front somewhere.

 

[wardk]

Cost $$ wasn't so bad , $87 did both sides.
Didn't get the fancy ones with grease zerks in the bolts.
I figure these lasted 16 years & didn't fall apart.

View attachment 94376 View attachment 94377

I consider it usable now. Bearings, brakes , spare tire, lights, suspension & registration done.
Just over $300 so far.
Plus I owe the wife diner for getting the registration problems ironed out.
Eventually I'll get the wood replaced, attach a ramp, some paint maybe & mount the spare on the front somewhere.

View attachment 94379 View attachment 94380

Nice looking trailer Dave, is the frame box or open? The reason I ask is my bros in law bought one last year looked good ,fresh paint , box frame, first big load frame broke just in front of the deck, box frame rusted from the inside out. Lucky he never made it out of the driveway.

 

[nate379]

I hate torsion axles. Had them on one trailer and it sucked to use on anything but nearly flat.

 

[ScotO]

I love the torsion axles on my log trailer......makes getting in and out of uneven ground easier IMO......

 

[bogydave]

Nice looking trailer Dave, is the frame box or open? The reason I ask is my bros in law bought one last year looked good ,fresh paint , box frame, first big load frame broke just in front of the deck, box frame rusted from the inside out. Lucky he never made it out of the driveway.

Nothing boxed in.
2" angle bed railing.
3" X 2" angle iron bed frame
4" channel tongue
3" channel beams under the bed
Everything I've banged on with a hammer seems
solid & the rust appears to be superficial surface rust.
To me it could use a sand blasting & a paint job to stop the rust & make it last many years.

 

[nate379]

The problem we had was it would have the load on 1 axle quite often and I'm pretty sure that's what led to an early failure of those axles. 2 6k axles and often had 10-12k on the trailer.

I love the torsion axles on my log trailer......makes getting in and out of uneven ground easier IMO......

Dave what is the weight rating supposed to be on that trailer...5k?

My trailer is a 12k, I fit 2-2.5 cords of wood on it and that puts it at the max capacity. Hauled too much with it once and it was an expensive mistake. Blew out a tire, trashed that wheel, bent both axles and tore the hitch off the truck.

You could blast and paint it, but it will look just like that in a few years again anyway. My trailer was powdercoated. It's 6 years old and looks just like yours.

 

[bogydave]

Dave what is the weight rating supposed to be on that trailer...5k?

You could blast and paint it, but it will look just like that in a few years again anyway. My trailer was powdercoated. It's 6 years old and looks just like yours.

5500 max load

Yea, but it's hard to get to like the color of rust. ( Corrosion specialist & coatings inspector back ground)

 

[gzecc]

Dave, Make sure to secure that spare tire from the spare tire thieves. It looks very tempting to certain types.

 

[wardk]

Nothing boxed in.
2" angle bed railing.
3" X 2" angle iron bed frame
4" channel tongue
3" channel beams under the bed
Everything I've banged on with a hammer seems
solid & the rust appears to be superficial surface rust.
To me it could use a sand blasting & a paint job to stop the rust & make it last many years.
View attachment 94419 View attachment 94418 View attachment 94416 View attachment 94417

Nice heavy channel , no hidden surprises.

 

[bogydave]

Dave, Make sure to secure that spare tire from the spare tire thieves. It looks very tempting to certain types.

Good idea.
May have my wife build a cover for it too. To keep the UV off of it.
The new bias ply tires from China don't last but a few years in direct sun
before they start weather checking

 

[nate379]

Spare tire thieves?!

Where I live I leave the keys in my ignitions, house doors never locked, etc.

Dave, Make sure to secure that spare tire from the spare tire thieves. It looks very tempting to certain types.

 

[salecker]

Spare tire thieves?!

Where I live I leave the keys in my ignitions, house doors never locked, etc.

Same here,
i built my shop in 86,and it's never been locked
One of the many perks of living up north.
Thomas