boat trailer axles????

[ross]

so as most of you know i had a major issue with my trailer a week and a half ago so i decided to replace BOTH of them after looking them over really good! so here is my question, the old axles-the front one was straight and the rear one was bent(on purpose) so there was a rise in the center of the axle....after talking with a few guys the conclusion was there was no apparent reason for the bend in the rear axle. so when my mechanic replaced them both he replaced them with straight axles that were both rated for 3500lbs. well i just got the boat back on the trailer after 11 days and while dragging it home it seems to me like the axles have alot of flex to them if i go over a decent bump in the road....i was paying alot of attention for obvious reasons. maybe they did this before and i never noticed but just wonder if there actually IS a reason for having a bend in the rear axle? any input guys?

 

[Rob B]

I have new 3500# axles under my trailer as well and both have the camber. My understanding with the axles that have the bend are cambered. So when the weight is on them your tires aren't turned in or out causing excessive wear. I'm not sure why your mechanic would put straight axles underneath your boat. Maybe some one can explain the differences between the two.

 

[ross]

I have new 3500# axles under my trailer as well and both have the camber. My understanding with the axles that have the bend are cambered. So when the weight is on them your tires aren't turned in or out causing excessive wear. I'm not sure why your mechanic would put straight axles underneath your boat. Maybe some one can explain the differences between the two.

my tires are 90 degrees when the boat is on the trailer, its just when the trailer is stressed from a big bump that this happens. just thought i would clarify

 

[yellowfiero88]

my tires are 90 degrees when the boat is on the trailer, its just when the trailer is stressed from a big bump that this happens. just thought i would clarify

Don't hit big bumps

 

[ross]

Don't hit big bumps

nice so are your axles cambered? i have talked to a few guys that have boats that weigh more than mine and they are not....one actually has square axles and they are only 2" and his boat weighs 200lbs less than mine! input welcome!

 

[yellowfiero88]

Robbie hit the nail on the head. The tires should have a slight positive camber or 0* camber with the boat on it. This allows even tire wear as when you hit bumps, the axle tube will deflect under the impact causing a negative camber.

Both of my boat trailers have cambered, round tube dexter axles.

My "Dub Dumper" also is cambered and I added more camber with the addition of the 20" wheels

http://blog.easternmarine.com/trailer-axle-camber-what-its-all-about/
AXLE CAMBER ~ WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT

This post was written by daves on January 27, 2011
Posted Under: Trailer Axles, Hubs & Springs
Trailer Axle Camber

There are several different parameters that are very important to finding a new axle for a trailer. The most obvious is the Gross Axle Weight Rating that defines the load properties of the axle (and trailer). Typical values of GAWR are 2200 lb, 3500 lb 5200 lb etc.
Other values that are important in defining a trailer axle are Track Length (center of tire to center of tire), Overall Length and Spring Center (center of spring to center of spring).
Camber is another property that is defined by the trailer axle. Actually, camber is the effect of the tire alignment on the pavement as illustrated above.
Most trailer axles are designed with a “bend” in the tube that will deflect when the load (weight of the trailer) is applied. This will theoretically bring the trailer wheel camber toward a 0 value that is the best setting for most trailer applications. This will allow the tires to wear evenly and allow the longest tread life. Camber can be affected by damage to the axle. For example, if the axle spindle is bent, this will usually cause a negative camber on that side which will cause excess tread wear on the inside of that tire.
Both Sprung axles and Torsion axles typically are built with a slight positive camber but custom axles can be specified with or without camber. A trailer that runs long distances without a load may be better without axle camber. An example of this might be a long distance boat transport trailer.


I think what it is you are nervous and watching the axles since the failure. They will also roll when making a tight turn with a load. This really shows in the tires but the camber changes as well. Quit worrying about it and clean that boat back up

 

[RNGRDVE]

You want to be close to 0 degrees camber when loaded. Brian how did the 20's add more camber? And yes axles will flex over bumps.

 

[atc250r]

Brian hit it square on the head. Are they torsion axles or leaf springs? It seems in my experience that leaf spring axles are more often straight and torsion are more often bent up to camber the tires. My enclosed sled trailer needs new axles but that will have to wait till next year. In order to get through the season I loaded it up with 2 sleds and the big 4x4 quad then stuffed a floor jack under the middle one axle, jacked it up off the ground, and let it sit like that over night. Its ghetto but it got me through the season.

John

 

[keith4216]

mine is leaf spring with 2x2 streight axels. My tires dry rot before ever wearing down tread.

 

[ndaniels]

I have dexter axles that make a v-shape (like the hull or trailer bunks) in the middle.. sounds opposite your old axles. The tires appear to be at 0 degrees. This is on an eagle trailer and they are factory axles. I've been kicking around buying another Eagle to slide under the old girl lately.. maybe in the next couple years.

 

[ndaniels]

Also, one of your old axles is different than the other? sounds like someone tried jacking up in the middle and bent it.. every other trailer I've seem with tandems/tripps has identical axles.

 

[keith4216]

Also, one of your old axles is different than the other? sounds like someone tried jacking up in the middle and bent it.. every other trailer I've seem with tandems/tripps has identical axles.

Good point I was pondering why one and not both being bent.

 

[yellowfiero88]

Brian how did the 20's add more camber?

The wheels are off a explorer 4wd. With the offset I had to stretch the axle 2". The hub flange is out farther than they were from the spring. Because of that "leverage" it gave it just about 3* of negative camber. I chained it to the frame rack and jacked up the center of the axle till it had about 2* of positive camber. My tires are 8" wide and are wearing perfect

Oh and BTW, it was a bet at the junk yard. Started off buying a set of "outlaw" style factory ranger wheels. They were all junk and came across this nice set of 3 homie wheels. 4th was missing the tire and barrel. Must have been from trying to run from the po-po . I go to the front office and it was $35...... any wheel, with tire . With winning the bet from the guys of "you won't buy them for the dumper", I walked out with them for well under $100. I must say he had just got them from rent-n-roll as they still had nipples on the tires. We all went back and pulled the 3 good ones and the rest is history. I do want to get plates for it that are "DUB DMPR"

 

[DropTop5.0]

That is one sweet dumper you have there.

 

[ezstriper]

back in the day bending the axles was the way to align the front end on I beam and twin I beam(ford) suspesions...did hundreds in the 70's-80's and yes you need some positive camber unloaded to end up as close to 0 when running down the road loaded...just DO NOT heat to bend....

 

[RNGRDVE]

The wheels are off a explorer 4wd. With the offset I had to stretch the axle 2". The hub flange is out farther than they were from the spring. Because of that "leverage" it gave it just about 3* of negative camber.

Now that makes more sense, I was sitting there thinking rims can't change camber. But the mods to add the rims definitely can.

 

[Gimme Fuel]

Ross, If you would learn how to drive and quit curbing your trailer, you wouldn't have any problems! Apparently someone should volunteer to show him how to drive more than just his boat.

 

[RNGRDVE]

Ross, If you would learn how to drive and quit curbing your trailer, you wouldn't have any problems! Apparently someone should volunteer to show him how to drive more than just his boat.

 

[Problem Child]

Both my axles have a large bow approx. 3" it appears more to follow the trailer frame lower bows . Its all Dexter suspension but I notice plenty of camber and flex. My Brand new 27' enclosed aluminum v-nose has straight axles with even a little arch to em.

 

[502GTX]

I spent the better part of today under my Loadrite, doing some brake lines and changing calipers, bearings, seals, etc. My axles are round tube and are straight. The Chariot trailer I had with my Stingray had cambered axles though, for what it's worth.