Bowed axle on steel trailer.

[fireant]

The axle is bowed down in the middle.
I suppose the simple fix would be to jack it up till it's straight. (short term fix)
Perhaps weld another stiff metal tube to the side of it for a more permanent one ? ( will it damage it if I heat it up ?)

You can see by the pictures just how bad the tire wear is .. it's the same on both tyres on either side.
I only just bought the boat and thought it was just something in the fenders that was too close scraping the rubber off ... so didn't think much of it.
It's hard to see in the picture but the wheels are both bowed out.

Perhaps the last guy towed it with ballast ?
Is this normal for a steel trailer ?
Would hitting a pot hole bow the axle ? I doubt it myself.

I am thinking of perhaps putting dual axles on.
Does anyone know what the rating of these particular axles are ?

BTW it's a 2007 ... funny how it's on a steel trailer ?... it's 2nd hand so I don't know the history really.

Phill

[kmclemore]

Mine did the same thing. I straightened the axle and it's been fine ever since.

[fireant]

Hi Kmclemore,
What do you think caused yours to bend ?

Phill

edit: and how did you straighten yours ?

[Catigale]

Kevins trailer is quite different from yours, IIRC. His has leaf springs and the boat does not sit on the axle like yours.

My guess is you hit it on the head - someone towed a ballasted boat and bent it.

A new one from Champion is about 250 USD btw.

[fireant]

The boat is not sitting on the axle .. kind of looks like that in the photos I know but it's not.
And mine has leaf springs too.
BTW what does IIRC mean ?
Phill

[kmclemore]

Steph, maybe it's must me but I see leaf springs in his photo, so I think hey may have a similar trailer?

Anyway, I don't know how mine got bent - I got the boat that way. I straightened it by carefully lifting the boat with a hydraulic jack in the centre, and thereby re-arching the axle. I measured the wheels as I did so with a level, the boat being on an already level surface. When the wheels were perpendicular to the ground I stopped bending!

[fireant]

Being me ... I would bow it the other way for future stuff ups
Thanks for the tip.

Phill

[vizwhiz]

IIRC = if i remember correctly (or variants of the same thing)

I see your problem!! You have a ladder in front of your tires!! Trying to drive like that would really mess up the tires (tyres?) and you'd definitely get funny cupped wear patterns on them! Remove the ladder and all should work just fine!





(hands folded, humming quietly to myself - awaiting the outbursts...)

[Catigale]

Phil, Kevin - sorry about my misdirect...im a dumba** sometimes...same trailer...

[SkiDeep2001]

Here is a link on reading tire wear. - http://www.procarcare.com/includes/cont ... ewear.html It doesn't show ladder wear though Rob

[fireant]

IIRC = if i remember correctly (or variants of the same thing)

I see your problem!! You have a ladder in front of your tires!! Trying to drive like that would really mess up the tires (tyres?) and you'd definitely get funny cupped wear patterns on them! Remove the ladder and all should work just fine!





(hands folded, humming quietly to myself - awaiting the outbursts...)

The ladder is the emergency breakaway system.
The kids usually sit on top of the boat in the pulpit when we are driving. (who needs the constant "are we there yet") and if they see the trailer decouple they just chuck it under.
That's why it's aluminium. Don't want the little buggers to do anything strenuous.
Of course we only let them do it at low speeds. Strict rule of nothing over 65mph. I'm not stupid !

[fireant]

I would still like to know what the axle is rated at, if someone knows ?
Will help me decide to go tandem or not.
Cheers
Phill

[vizwhiz]

The ladder is the emergency breakaway system.
The kids usually sit on top of the boat in the pulpit when we are driving. (who needs the constant "are we there yet") and if they see the trailer decouple they just chuck it under.
That's why it's aluminium. Don't want the little buggers to do anything strenuous.
Of course we only let them do it at low speeds. Strict rule of nothing over 65mph. I'm not stupid !

Touche!! Great comeback...

[fireant]

Ok.. tried the jack under the axle trick today.
Had the whole boat and trailer off the ground with only the jockey wheel touching.
Axel bowed about 3" but didn't bend permanently. Still has a bow in it.
Might try filling the ballast tank and try again.
I am tempted to get in the boat and jump up and down... but .. umm.. that might be a bit silly.

Does ANYONE know what this axle is rated at ?

Cheers.
Phill

[BrazDaz]

Hi Phill
I had a look at the axle thing and remember in Australia The ADR's specify the ratings for double and single axle trailers And I remember the mac trailer complies because it has the larger axle but i cant remember the details.

I also live in Perth and bought a S/hand with trailer probs but am pretty happy with it now just need to deal with corrosion and keep the paint up to it for now..

Cheers Darren