Tandem Axle

[Propnut30]

Wanted to ask this question. I use a Toyota Tacoma to lug my Mac around, and figured it would help a lot to add brakes to the trailer. Thats easy enough, not a problem. I had read that the wheels are nearly at their load limit as they are. Would it hurt anything to add a second axle to the trailer as well? I have a welder thats willing to do the job for me. Any thoughts?

The brakes are a must, Living in Fayetteville NC, you gotta be able to stop quick. I already found out you gotta plan ahead with a MAC in tow.

 

[Bob McL]

I have a tandem axle for my Venture 25' . It is great! (It was from a power boat though.) A lot of folks have added a second axle to their boat trailer, behind the existing one. Also, I agree with having brakes - don't leave home without them. Recommendation: - DO IT!

 

[MrBill_FLL]

consider what could happen if you blow a tire at speed.... (will the boat still be on the trailer at the end of the ride?)

I've never liked any trailer that does not have 4 wheels.

do it! x2

 

[Propnut30]

words of wisdom. Thats about what I thought. Its always best to confirm.

Should the axles and springs be the same, would it cause the trailer to handle strange? I do want to be able to put the same wheels and tires on, all that takes is matching up the lug patterns that easy enough. Northern too has some good bolt on kits that I'm looking at.

Plus they are right down the street from my house.

Thanks

 

[Sumner]

One thing to keep in mind is that the axle is an odd/custom width. I made....

....my second one to match the width of the stock one. There are commercial ones that are about 3/4 of an inch wider on each side than the stock one that I feel would work fine and you might even find wheels with the right offset to align them with the stock ones. If the spring perches are welded on the axle you get they probably won't be at the right place for the distance between the frame rails on the trailer. A welded can fix all of that pretty easily. Put 3500 lb. springs and axles on both. If your old springs are getting shot replace them as they are cheap and better than having a spring break on a trip.

I also agree with the others about the safety of having two axles and for sure ....

...brakes. In fact in most states the stock trailer without brakes is illegal and could present a problem for you if you were ever involved in an accident and someone was trying to dole out blame.

Do the mods and you won't be sorry. I have more pictures of....

...our trailer here......

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/misc-pics-18.html

.... but don't have the detailed build pictures up yet,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Propnut30]

Thanks Sum, You do some good work. Reminds me of my dads handy work. If there was ever anything he needed and didn't like the price, he made it himself. I picked up some of his creativity but he never taught me to weld. Thats ok, though, classes aren't that expensive at the community collage.

I agree the breaks are a must, and a single axle a risk. The weight of the boat and additional gear is a lot for a light truck to try to stop. Now did you mean that I need two 3500 lg capacity axles? I figure if the width is custom I can get two matching axels with springs, hubs and brakes. That could make it easy, I would still have to locate the spring perches. Between my dad and brother we can get it fabricated.

Thanks for the pix and tips.

 

[Sumner]

..... Now did you mean that I need two 3500 lg capacity axles? I figure if the width is custom I can get two matching axels with springs, hubs and brakes. That could make it easy, I would still have to locate the spring perches. Between my dad and brother we can get it fabricated.

Thanks for the pix and tips.

The axle you have and springs are probably rated to 3000-3500 lbs.. Get another axle like from Champion or a local trailer repair place to possibly save the shipping of the heavier axle to you. They do have standard (non custom width axles that are only slightly longer than the stock one that could probably be used as is or cut and shortened. Do you see a need for replacing the one you have? I can see replacing the springs with new ones, but the axle??

Brakes on both axles would be fine, but maybe a little overkill. Most people recommend that the back axle is the one that should have the brakes if only one has brakes.

Good luck,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Mac]

Sum, is your second axle in front or back of the stock one? I would like to add one as well but I think I only have room in front of the stock one??

 

[Sumner]

Sum, is your second axle in front or back of the stock one? I would like to add one as well but I think I only have room in front of the stock one??

It is the rear one (right one above). I wanted the brakes on the rear one. You can see where the orginal frame rails end just to the right of the top right side of the fender. There is a weld visible there. Right where the 2nd bunk is on the stock trailer, now the middle bunk on this one.

Cut your old spring perches off and put the new ones where you want them. Others have put the back axle as far back on the stock frame as possible and reported good luck with that. I extended the frame to add the back bunk beyond that point.

One thing, I haven't towed with the trailer yet, so I'm not telling you that this is the ideal setup, but expect it to tow just fine. I have about 350 lbs. of tongue weight as far as I can tell or maybe a little more, so that is about 10% of the trailer weight, about what they recommend. It will be another month before it goes any distance and I'll post how it tows then.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Mac]

Thanks Sum! I like the idea of the extension of the trailer. Something to think about. Jerry