Add brakes and suspension to small dump trailer?

[John_Mc]

I have an old CAM Woodsman dump trailer that is 4'x8'. I got it mainly for us behind my tractor in the woods. It's great for that: since the wheels are tucked in under the sides the narrow profile makes it easy to maneuver down the trails in my woods. It's got a 3500# axle, but no brakes and no suspension (the axle is just bolted right to the frame).

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I've been wondering about adding electric brakes to it and possibly adding some sort of suspension. I do occasionally take it out on the road to grab a yard of stone, topsoil or firewood. That's where the lack of a suspension is really noticeable. The brakes would just be a bit of a safety feature, especially coming down some of our hills when hauling a load of stone. How tough/expensive would it be to do something like this? Am I better off adding brakes and suspension to what is there, or just putting a whole new axle under the trailer that already includes brakes and suspension?

 

[newbury]

Would that put it in a different license class for road use?

 

[John_Mc]

Would that put it in a different license class for road use?

It has no lights and no registration at the moment. I rarely take it on the road. When I do, it's the back roads to a place less than 10 miles away. It has an SMV triangle on the back, but I'm sure it's still not legal, since it would be a real stretch to call it "farm use".

 

[sandman2234]

Not going to be cheap either way, but with axle replacement you have a chance to go with torsion (which I wouldn't, personally). I would increase axle to 5-7k with the appropriate springs, brakes and tires to increase the safety factor on your 3500 pound trailer. A used set might be a lot cheaper!
David from jax

 

[Tinhack]

Yeah, you'll most likely need to buy an axle with the backing plate flanges. Or be skilled with a welder. The brakes have to bolt to something that isn't spinning.

Wish I had something like that to drag behind my chipper.

 

[ning]

It has no lights and no registration at the moment. I rarely take it on the road. When I do, it's the back roads to a place less than 10 miles away. It has an SMV triangle on the back, but I'm sure it's still not legal, since it would be a real stretch to call it "farm use".

Tow it with the tractor, flashing lights and SMV sign on that too. You wouldn't go through all that bother if it wasn't really farm use now would you?

 

[John_Mc]

Tow it with the tractor, flashing lights and SMV sign on that too. You wouldn't go through all that bother if it wasn't really farm use now would you?

I'm not going to go 10 miles in my 13 MPH tractor to pick up a yard of stone.

Yeah, you'll most likely need to buy an axle with the backing plate flanges. Or be skilled with a welder. The brakes have to bolt to something that isn't spinning.

Wish I had something like that to drag behind my chipper.

The NH/Kubota dealer a few miles down the road used to sell these so easily he could not keep them in stock. Something like 10 years ago, they just stopped making them. When the dealer inquired, the manufacturer told him: "about the only place we sell many of them is in New Hampshire and Vermont. Just not enough volume to make it worth continuing production."

My existing axle does appear to have a place to bolt something on, so I might be able to add brakes relatively easily. The question is, do I want to do that to this axle, or try to find a heavier one with a suspension that already has brakes.

Not going to be cheap either way, but with axle replacement you have a chance to go with torsion (which I wouldn't, personally). I would increase axle to 5-7k with the appropriate springs, brakes and tires to increase the safety factor on your 3500 pound trailer. A used set might be a lot cheaper!
David from jax

If I could find something used with a 5000# rating & with brakes and suspension, I'd jump on it. I'd consider new, if it weren't ridiculously expensive - I just haven't really started looking yet. I'm not sure how common something larger than a 3500# rating would be that is as short as this axle is.

 

[CalG]

Stone is heavy.

Suspension? Be sure the bump stops are substantial.

 

[Tinhack]

I'm not sure how common something larger than a 3500# rating would be that is as short as this axle is.

That would be the first hurtle. That could be a tough search. Here's some common sizes below. Also be aware that increasing the axle rating may lead to new trailer wheels and tires too.

No association. I just found the image on Amazon.

 

[bcp]

I was investigating for a utility trailer axle several years ago. At least one of the common manufacturers would build an axle to your specifications, including custom lengths. I also wanted one 4ft overall, including tires.

Bruce

 

[garry1p]

https://dexterindex.com/category/1992

You can go here and build your own setup and get an idea of what it will take and some idea of cost.
Of course they will custom build axle to your specs.

I don't know about where you are but just about all major cities will have stores that specialize in trailer parts and accessories.

 

[John_Mc]

Thanks everyone. Some very helpful information here.

 

[BnRidge]

How tough/expensive would it be to do something like this? Am I better off adding brakes and suspension to what is there, or just putting a whole new axle under the trailer that already includes brakes and suspension?

If you go the new axle route, I did something similar by special ordering a Dexter axle and picking up locally:

Home | Dexter Group

Dexter axle parts distributors for doors, vents, range hoods, marine trailers, heavy duty trailers, air brake, industrial utility trailers, and RV trailers. Dexter Axle Dealer Near Me

www.dexteraxle.com

https://www.pioneerwheel.com/PDFs/TORFLEX_ORDER_FORM_5_1_2018.pdf

The price wasn't much different from getting an existing commonly available size and specs. Just emailed the form to the distributor, got on the phone to verify every detail, couple weeks later picked it up.

 

[Jstpssng]

I just saw this. My Suretrac dump trailer is very similar except that it does have 3500# springs and is street legal. I would like to add brakes for when I'm pulling it with my Colorado. The problem is that it only has 10 inch wheels which are too small to fit brakes. Increasing wheel size would require me to cut the bed and add fenders, as the frame is too narrow to put in a wider axle.
It may be a good winter project.