Adding an axle - Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest

Mr. Beefy · July 31st, 2012, 10:10 AM

I'm looking at adding a third axle to my wedge trailer.

I'm not sure how to work the leaf springs when doing this.

Anyone have a good pic of how they need to be attached to eachother?

whiterhino · July 31st, 2012, 10:14 AM

No pics but it needs to be independant. You should have 2 axles with the common balancer in the middle and one axle traditional fixed at the front with shackles at the back.

Mr. Beefy · July 31st, 2012, 10:18 AM

Ok I'm going to add it in front of the two already on it. The two behind this already have the balancer on them.

So I can build just a simple hanger in the back and fixed point on the front? Easy enough

whiterhino · July 31st, 2012, 10:32 AM

I think so but the ones I have seen, the single axle is in the rear. Why? Not sure if it makes a difference.

Mr. Beefy · July 31st, 2012, 10:45 AM

That would also not be too much work and prolly not a bad idea to go through the old leaf spings in the back with new bushings and such

Mr. Beefy · July 31st, 2012, 10:45 AM

Any idea how to figure out what my axles are actually rated for?

They look fairly large and are actually trussed already

Elvis13 · July 31st, 2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Beefy

Any idea how to figure out what my axles are actually rated for?

They look fairly large and are actually trussed already

I researched the backing plates and drum setup on mine. The brake assembly packages gave me a weight rating or range for the axle, i'm guessing this isn't a foolproof system but may help. Dexter told me they may have #'s stamped on the axle tube.

Mr. Beefy · July 31st, 2012, 11:31 PM

Looking up my trailer on the internet found this pic

Wow that hurts

rideraa · August 13th, 2012, 07:47 AM

Here is a dexter triple axle diagram.

The triple equalizer is a different shape then common.

These dim's are for 26" springs, 5200lb axle rating, Tires ST225/75R-15 D Range

Route55 · August 13th, 2012, 08:33 AM

You didn't mention why you plan to do this, but let me add a thought:

Triple axle trailers kinda suck. The front and rear axles scrub hard while turning, burning up those trailer tires quickly. This can be somewhat relieved with torsion axles, but not completely. That is what I have on my triple axle, and 15,000 miles or so is the max for the front axle tires. A spring hung triple axle scrubs even harder.

Most of the hotshot guys like myself are going to heavy duty double axle trailers, usually with 17.5 or 19.5 tires.

I fully plan to either convert my current trailer to double, or sell it to fund another one. As far as I can tell, the only benefit to a triple axle is the "I have to run on a flat for a few miles" situation.

In a wedge trailer design, IMO the perfect combo would be a dual dually axle. That would give tire redundancy with much better turning characteristics.

whiterhino · August 13th, 2012, 08:50 AM

To Keith's point about heavy duty duals, here is Jesse Oliver's dual axle setup. We checked tires & wheels at every stop and they wore great & never got hot.

Mr. Beefy · August 13th, 2012, 09:01 AM

Hrmm thats a good idea much more expensive but prolly a better idea.

I'll have to keep my eye out for some new axles.

Thanks guys

Route55 · August 13th, 2012, 09:07 AM

Your current axles may be somewhat upgradeable. The tubes, knuckles, spindles, brakes, etc. on my Dexter torsion axles in my enclosed are the same through many of the weight ratings with the only difference being the drums and bolt pattern. Same goes for the Dexter sprung axles on my flatbed, six lug drums meant 4,000 lb axles, eight lug meant 6,000 lb axles. Brakes and everything else are interchangeable.

4x4xdodgeman · August 13th, 2012, 01:01 PM

i see you found how to tell the axle weight, but did thay tell you need 60% of the trailer in front of the first axle. or its not going to handle good with a load on.

rideraa · August 14th, 2012, 07:23 AM

FYI

http://stores.ebay.com/Johnsons-Surp...=p4634.c0.m322

These people have alot of axles etc, They are very close to where I live.

If you are looking to buy. Call them 269-483-2814, White Pigeon MI.

Ask what makes an axle 7k rated if your thinking tandem.(may be able to convert yours)

I am coming to the Club Comp @ R&V and could bring axles or etc. up if needed.

jeepm715 · August 23rd, 2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiterhino

To Keith's point about heavy duty duals, here is Jesse Oliver's dual axle setup. We checked tires & wheels at every stop and they wore great & never got hot.

I picked up a set of 17.5 wheels and tires right before this trip, load range h. They wore great as Jim said, after 5000 miles to Cali and back, still like new. The cheapo e rated ones that came on it showed major wear after a summer of double hauling.

Mr. Beefy · August 23rd, 2012, 09:50 PM

Hrmm so on that trailer is just the rear axle a dual? Very nice setup you have there

jeepm715 · August 24th, 2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Beefy

Hrmm so on that trailer is just the rear axle a dual? Very nice setup you have there

Nope, just a pair of 7000 lb single wheel axles. I'm relying on the truck to carry a bit of weight, thinking about some air bags to help out. A dually truck would help tire wear, 5000 miles of towing smoked about half of the tread off the tera grapplers

akozman · August 27th, 2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rideraa

Here is a dexter triple axle diagram.

The triple equalizer is a different shape then common.

These dim's are for 26" springs, 5200lb axle rating, Tires ST225/75R-15 D Range

That's what I did when I added an axle.

July 31st, 2012, 10:14 AM	#2
whiterhino I'm not old, honest... Join Date: 03-07-06 Location: Davisburg MI Posts: 16,674 iTrader: (16)	No pics but it needs to be independant. You should have 2 axles with the common balancer in the middle and one axle traditional fixed at the front with shackles at the back. __________________ GLFWDA member since 1979. Member Southern Michigan Rock Crawlers.

July 31st, 2012, 10:32 AM	#4
whiterhino I'm not old, honest... Join Date: 03-07-06 Location: Davisburg MI Posts: 16,674 iTrader: (16)	I think so but the ones I have seen, the single axle is in the rear. Why? Not sure if it makes a difference. __________________ GLFWDA member since 1979. Member Southern Michigan Rock Crawlers.

August 13th, 2012, 07:47 AM	#9
rideraa Senior Member Join Date: 06-01-09 Location: sw mi Posts: 507 iTrader: (4)	Here is a dexter triple axle diagram. The triple equalizer is a different shape then common. These dim's are for 26" springs, 5200lb axle rating, Tires ST225/75R-15 D Range Last edited by rideraa; August 13th, 2012 at 10:13 AM.

August 13th, 2012, 08:50 AM	#11
whiterhino I'm not old, honest... Join Date: 03-07-06 Location: Davisburg MI Posts: 16,674 iTrader: (16)	To Keith's point about heavy duty duals, here is Jesse Oliver's dual axle setup. We checked tires & wheels at every stop and they wore great & never got hot. __________________ GLFWDA member since 1979. Member Southern Michigan Rock Crawlers.

August 14th, 2012, 07:23 AM	#15
rideraa Senior Member Join Date: 06-01-09 Location: sw mi Posts: 507 iTrader: (4)	FYI http://stores.ebay.com/Johnsons-Surp...=p4634.c0.m322 These people have alot of axles etc, They are very close to where I live. If you are looking to buy. Call them 269-483-2814, White Pigeon MI. Ask what makes an axle 7k rated if your thinking tandem.(may be able to convert yours) I am coming to the Club Comp @ R&V and could bring axles or etc. up if needed. Last edited by rideraa; August 14th, 2012 at 07:40 AM.

August 13th, 2012, 08:33 AM	#10
Route55 Formerly keithshotrodshop Join Date: 01-21-07 Location: Marine City, Michigan Posts: 3,043 iTrader: (41)	You didn't mention why you plan to do this, but let me add a thought: Triple axle trailers kinda suck. The front and rear axles scrub hard while turning, burning up those trailer tires quickly. This can be somewhat relieved with torsion axles, but not completely. That is what I have on my triple axle, and 15,000 miles or so is the max for the front axle tires. A spring hung triple axle scrubs even harder. Most of the hotshot guys like myself are going to heavy duty double axle trailers, usually with 17.5 or 19.5 tires. I fully plan to either convert my current trailer to double, or sell it to fund another one. As far as I can tell, the only benefit to a triple axle is the "I have to run on a flat for a few miles" situation. In a wedge trailer design, IMO the perfect combo would be a dual dually axle. That would give tire redundancy with much better turning characteristics.

August 13th, 2012, 09:07 AM	#13
Route55 Formerly keithshotrodshop Join Date: 01-21-07 Location: Marine City, Michigan Posts: 3,043 iTrader: (41)	Your current axles may be somewhat upgradeable. The tubes, knuckles, spindles, brakes, etc. on my Dexter torsion axles in my enclosed are the same through many of the weight ratings with the only difference being the drums and bolt pattern. Same goes for the Dexter sprung axles on my flatbed, six lug drums meant 4,000 lb axles, eight lug meant 6,000 lb axles. Brakes and everything else are interchangeable.

August 13th, 2012, 01:01 PM	#14
4x4xdodgeman Member Join Date: 04-23-11 Location: bath Posts: 77 iTrader: (0)	i see you found how to tell the axle weight, but did thay tell you need 60% of the trailer in front of the first axle. or its not going to handle good with a load on.