axle on top or bottom of springs?

[piedpiperIII]

My boat sits very high but there is no way to lower the boat but what if I put my axle on top of the springs instead of the bottom where they are now? it will lower the trailer just 2.5" but it may help. I have seen pictures of other cat 22 trailers and a lot sit lower than mine. Just want to make it easier to launch.

 

[piedpiperIII]

My goal is not to have to use the trailer extension as its a pain.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Yes it can be done. I've worked on custom pickups that had it done.
You can't just rotate the axle and remount it though. It's needs different spring seats.

I tried to find some reference photos online for ya, and found this:
http://www.etrailer.com/question-87539.html
While that's a kit for moving the axle under the springs (opposite of what you want), etrailer, or any other competent local trailer shop can do what you want or supply the parts.

 

[woodster]

if you rotate the axel make sure it has no camber built in it or you will have a problem when loaded ...as it the wheels will lean to the middle and not straight

 

[centerline]

if you rotate the axel make sure it has no camber built in it or you will have a problem when loaded ...as it the wheels will lean to the middle and not straight

as Woodster said... if the axle has camber in it, if you have to roll the axle over to get it to seat to the springs on the other side, swaping it to the other side will cause extreme tire wear...
BUT...
depending on the U-bolts and how they attach, and if you do not have spring seats welded to the axle, which is unlikely, you may be able to make the swap without rolling the axle (some square axles dont have welded spring seats).
if you have welded spring seats, they would have to be changed to the other side of the axle so you can keep the camber in the correct direction.

and it may change the trailer height more than 2.5 inches, unless its a drop axle with offset spindles.
measure from the center line height of the axle where it sits now, and then to where the center line will be after modification. this is how much it will change the elevation.
unless the spindles are offset from the axle.... then you have to double the distance of the offset and subtract it from the axle center line measurement...

if you have much of an offset, you can actually lose height by swaping, depending on which way the offset goes in relation to the axle center line.

 

[Chief RA]

Making an extension for your truck receiver is much simpler and cheaper than a trailer extender. 2" box stock (about 5'+or - long) with ball mounted on the end and you got it! I have one 7' long! Works fine at the landing. Chief

 

[piedpiperIII]

I did the extension thing but chocking the tries then pulling forward etc. most of you know the drill. My last cat a wing keel sat real low on the trailer and the axle is mounted to the top of springs. I launched it with out any extension was easy peasy you would think with a swing keel it would be even easier.

 

[Leeward Rail]

How high is your waterline from the ground when it's on the trailer ?

 

[piedpiperIII]

from the ground to water line is 51" from the ground to bottom of trailer id 23" I pulled the axle last night because I need to take it to work to heat up the outer bearing race on one side. It is seized on, the axle is strait square tube with now arch or saddle there is a hole drilled in to sit over the axle center bolt. I measured and it should lower the trailer 3.5" but I will measure again when i'm done.

 

[woodster]

as Woodster said... if the axle has camber in it, if you have to roll the axle over to get it to seat to the springs on the other side, swaping it to the other side will cause extreme tire wear...
BUT...
depending on the U-bolts and how they attach, and if you do not have spring seats welded to the axle, which is unlikely, you may be able to make the swap without rolling the axle (some square axles dont have welded spring seats).
if you have welded spring seats, they would have to be changed to the other side of the axle so you can keep the camber in the correct direction.

and it may change the trailer height more than 2.5 inches, unless its a drop axle with offset spindles.
measure from the center line height of the axle where it sits now, and then to where the center line will be after modification. this is how much it will change the elevation.
unless the spindles are offset from the axle.... then you have to double the distance of the offset and subtract it from the axle center line measurement...

if you have much of an offset, you can actually lose height by swaping, depending on which way the offset goes in relation to the axle center line.

very good write up centerline ....oh and don't forget the finder clearance it will need to be changed as well because the tires will be closer or maybe even past the top of the tires after the change you will have to raise them to accommodate for the drop in the trailer frame

 

[Leeward Rail]

51 inches !
I can see why you want to lower it.

For comparison, I went out and measured mine.
36" from ground to waterline.
16" from ground to bottom of spring mounts
The trailer is square tube that is welded/bent in a v shape with 4" drop axle on 15" wheels.
The axle is almost in line with the lowest part of the V of the trailer.
The keel support bunk is raised above the frame on spacers, so that the axle can have spring travel, without hitting the keel support.

It's probably about as low as a C22 trailer could be.
For a used boat, evidently I got lucky with the trailer.

FWIW: There's another C22 on a lake nearby. It has a straight frame but also has a 4" drop axle.

 

[Meriachee]

You might run into a clearance issue with the fenders. 51" is a loooong way up. Having pretty much rebuilt my trailer for the 270, there's lots of places that can be touched to lower the boat, have a look in the wordpress pages below. Chances are that you'll never get past an extension of some sort, depending on what vehicle is involved.

 

[piedpiperIII]

My axle is square tube with no camber built in, the boat cant be lowered on the trailer because the keel rests on the frame of the trailer it is a factory built galvanized trailer. After I put this axle back on I will see what the out come is. There are no fenders but there is brackets for them if need be I will change them as well.