2 or 3 axles?

[Corm]

Rowski - Thanks for the paint info. Looks real interesting! I will definitely order the catalog, and I may take you up on your offer to see what the finished product looks like.

Corm

 

[art]

Listening to the people we have converted from three axle to a tandem twin axle every one says they pull easier, turn easier and have less problems. If you can find a heavy twin I would take it.

 

[gvw]

For my .02$ I will never own another 3 axle trailer nor will any of my associates that pull "heavier weight" trailers especially goose necks. The problem - especially with the goose necks is that you can turn them very short especially when backing. What happens is that the front or rear tire - depending on which tire/axle has the most load/traction - that tire can be "torqued off of the rim. Nothing like haveing several tons of hay or equipment that you are trying to move into place and have one of your tires spin off the rim - been there done that! For my money dual axle (axles of the approriate weight design of course)with single or tandem tires depending on the weight to be carried wins - hands down.
Torsion axles are great for highway but are limited when one gets into the rough stuff. If one is hauling accross the bumpy stuff "slipper springs" with a center yoke win in my book - I've had both and prefer the torsion for highway and springs for "big loads" 16000# + and haulin accross the bumpy stuff.

 

[Thomas]

Ed,
You might want consider somewhere in middle front of your trail heavy duty metal ring,for you can use a come along to pull items on,also in latching items down....just a thought.

I know about 50% of Manchester,live all of my life in this area.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[scruffy]

gvw, thank you for stating your experience, that is/was what I was thinking would happen, but while coming close to doing the same on a tandem, I never have.

 

[dullpain]

Corm - I agree with Scruffy and GVW's assesment of the 3 axle trailer. For your size and weight requirements a Tandem would better suit you I believe. You can see a pic of my trailer undder Trator Photos message titled Kubota Hauler.

I also agree with GVW on the Torsion Axle. I have never seen a large, heavy duty trailer with Torsion axles, but there is a lot I haven't seen yet too. The manufactuers of Torsion axles may have made vast improvements lately. Manufacturer of interest to me would be Henschen Industrial for Torsion. I would go with conventional Slipper springs if I were building today. As for your weight, or width you can purchase a myriad of different rated conventional axles. Some places to research you say - WELL wonder no more.

www.championtrailers.com & they will send you a nice catalog too.

www.bigtextrailers.com - nice on line catalog that will give you ideas.

Dexter Axle - 222 Collins Rd. - Elkhart Indiana 46516 Ph 219-295-1900 www??

Henschen Industrial - 522 N Main St. - Jackson Center, Ohio 45334 Ph 513-596-6125

Northern Tool - Item #17622 - Vol 1 - How to Design & Build Trailers - $23 discusses all you are asking (nice little book). They also sell a Vol 2.

Hope it all helps and let us know if you assist in building your own trailer. It would be a good experience and then you could teach Harv & me how to weld. In your research if you come across any other Trailer / Axle / Hitch / Component catalogs or sources please share as I like to keep abreast.
lem

 

[Bird]

McCallum, I find your listing of axle manufacturers interesting. I don't know about the others, but I do know just a little about Dexter. In 1990, I had a 5th wheel travel trailer with an entire suspension system that was too light, so I visited the Dexter factory one morning, sat down with one of their engineers, and we custom designed a complete system; first selected the axle tubes, the type and size of hubs and bearings, type and size of brakes, springs, wheels, etc. When we finished I asked, "How long will it take you to make them." He looked at his watch (getting close to noon) and said, "Well, I couldn't have them ready for you before tomorrow afternoon." Needless to say, I was amazed that they would be ready that quick, but he said, "We're making 1500 a day here." And they were ready as promised, and a lot cheaper than I expected, too.

Bird

 

[Corm]

You guys have convinced me that two axles are better than three! I really appreciate all the input! The collective knowledge of you folks, and the super attitude of everyone that contributes to it, is what makes this forum such a powerful tool and a fun place to spend time.

My plan is to help build a 7' by 18' tag-along trailer with dual 5000# torsion axles, brakes on both axles, 16" wheels and tires, battery powered break-away, flat bed covered with P.T. lumber (no beaver tail), short 6" rails or 'sideboards' along the sides, plenty of welded on pockets to hook chains to along the sides of the frame rails, at least a couple of rings attached through the bed and into frame rails down thru the center, and slide-in 5' ramps. I'll cover it all with a coat of black paint to match my yellow and black Cub. I'll post a picture or two when I'm done. We should be starting construction in mid Feb.

Other than wiring and lights, did I miss anything? Again, thanks to all of you for your input. Much appreciated!

Corm

 

[TexasJeff]

Corm It has a 24 ft bed overall length is roughly 32 ft. About the slide in ramps. Have had some and it is hard to make them heavy enough not to bend a little then they are a real B***H to slide back in. The trailer dealer I bought my big horse trailer and my big lowboy from quit selling the slide in ramps because of that bending problem. The flip up ramps also give you and idea exactly where the back of your trailer is when pulling a empty trailer.
I currently have
16 ft lowboy I built 7,000 lb capacity
24 ft lowboy 10,000 lb capacity
3 horse slant load trailer 12,000 axles with small living quarters Just made a round trip to Tn 2000 miles round trip pulling the horse trailer for my Wife's national competition NATRC competetive trail She placed 5th out of 45 We normally pull our trailers 5 to 10 thousand miles per year.

 

[TexasJeff]

Just a thought If you want 10,000 capacity you need 6,000 axles because you need to subtract the weight of the trailer. My 24 ft gooose neck weighs about 2000 pounds empty