Trailer axle flex question
Submitted by VIC DORY on Sun, 2020-06-21 13:00
Just curious to see if the flex in my trailer axle would be considered normal?
when jacked up the axle is dead straight but when on the ground and under the load of the boat there is a slight flex as can be seen in the pic.
it is a 2003 Dunbier trailer and it is the original trailer and axle that came with the boat when both trailer and boat were sold brand new, the tyres are load rated and the bearings are good.
Note the piece of wood is dead straight.
Image Upload:
Swompa
Posts: 3880
Date Joined: 14/10/12
I wouldnt have thought that
I wouldnt have thought that it would be a concern though i have seen a piece of angle welded across the top of square ones..
VIC DORY
Posts: 308
Date Joined: 28/05/15
Chewed out the inside of a
Chewed out the inside of a tyre in no time one side more than the other, trying to check all possibilities and correct. I have since aligned the axle correctly within tolerances, new bearings etc however I am not sure about the axle flex if it is normal or not.
time will tell if I chew out another tyre.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
The only reason I can think
The only reason I can think it would happen is the boat is heavier than the axle is rated to . Have seen this in normal trailers when they carry too much on them
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
VIC DORY
Posts: 308
Date Joined: 28/05/15
That would make sense
That would make sense however the weight of boat/motor/fuel is around 400kg less than the gvm.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
I would be looking at a new
I would be looking at a new axle. Better than chewing out tyres all the time
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
bsir
Posts: 574
Date Joined: 24/04/11
Flex
i have flex on one of my axels that chewed out the inner side of my tyres.
i spoke with tow safe who reckon they can permanently straighten it. I’ll give that a try, then it may require new axels.
VIC DORY
Posts: 308
Date Joined: 28/05/15
What's an axle worth? $200?
What's an axle worth? $200? Surely straightening it you wouldn't get much change from $200, might be easier to replace, I am going down to martins trailers today.
SeperateKnob
Posts: 668
Date Joined: 28/11/16
The axle is 17 years old.
The axle is 17 years old. Just change out. Still looks like it’s in good nic though
sea-kem
Posts: 14972
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Yep change he axle out,
Yep change he axle out, looks like it has stress memory. So basically it's F%^%^ed.
Love the West!
VIC DORY
Posts: 308
Date Joined: 28/05/15
turns out the trailer has
turns out the trailer has been overloaded since it rolled out of the southwind/yamaha dealership when sold in a new package.
with just a full tank of fuel and nothing else in the boat its hitting the GTM (hull + motor + 110L of fuel), so with batteries, boat fitout, anchors, fishing gear, ice and fish in the built in esky the trailer has been exceeding the GTM.
pretty bad that dealers were selling a boat and trailer package that cant even legally have a full tank of fuel in it.
any way that explains the flex in the axle and the wearing on the inside of the tyres.
now to upgrade the axle and springs or just buy a new trailer.
sea-kem
Posts: 14972
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Wow! Good pick up. Glad you
Wow! Good pick up. Glad you can sort it reasonably easily.
Love the West!
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Roll the axle around. Will
Roll the axle around. Will be perfect then.
marrisy
Posts: 202
Date Joined: 08/09/11
Used to charge $25 to
Used to charge $25 to straighten a trailer axle if it was stripped when it came in. We would always aim to have the top of the tyres cambered out.
Possibly the stubs could be bent.
Is the rest of the trailer ok if you want to upgrade the axles and springs. If you can take it to a trailer place like Martins, they will give you good advice.
SeperateKnob
Posts: 668
Date Joined: 28/11/16
What size boat is it? Boat
What size boat is it? Boat dealerships always saving a few $$ meanwhile many are towing illegally. On purchase of any boat I always take over the weigh bridge fully loaded for peace of mind and insurance etc