Trailer axle bent

[colnerov]

Hi, Triangulate on top from as far out as the wheel will allow up to the top of the chassis rail, do both sides and a piece of box between the top of both rails, which will effectively increase the size of the axle. To be honest if they continue to overload and abuse it, it will then probably bend at the smaller diameter where the wheel/hub goes.

Colin

 

[Gareth J]

Exactly what happened. Its used for moving hard-core around forest on trail build days, to big a load, driving to fast down a pot holed fire road and this

They are floatation tyres that are designed to have a ridiculously low pressure in them. With ~5psi in them, they'll provide a level of suspension adequate for light loads.

Put a heavy load in the trailer, the tyres look flat, put more air in, have less suspension.

 

[octo0072000]

pictures from a 2 ton trailer for Kubota tractor nice thick axle and brakes this is a tipping trailer again off road use or limited to 20mph on road

 

[More Amps]

It was towed behind a CAR on a ROAD.

Thats not agri use.

Don't think OP said it was towed behind car - unlikely with that hitch. (Suspect he probably towed it home with the quad..?)

 

[Justme]

Don't think OP said it was towed behind car - unlikely with that hitch. (Suspect he probably towed it home with the quad..?)

Good point.

 

[octo0072000]

judging by the sides of the OP trailer that will carry more than 2 ton of hard core
the Kubota one carries 2 ton and the side are appox 6 inch lower.
i would not want to tow that with a quad or a car with 2 ton plus in it with no brakes
axle looks to be bowed in the centre as well as the end

 

[Bill Edwards]

Triangular gusset on top welded to the chassis and as far along the axle as the wheel/tyre permits will make a huge difference

You could put a thick piece of flat bar edge on along the bottom the length of the axle as well to really strengthen it, but given the inadequate design coupled with the fact that it would be very easy to overload that (or indeed most) trailers with rubble you'll probably end up discovering the next weak spot.

 

[pondy]

Don't think OP said it was towed behind car - unlikely with that hitch. (Suspect he probably towed it home with the quad..?)

Yep has a pin hitch, we use a Ford ranger to tow it around the forest. It was towed a mile to my house for the repair.It lives and is only used in the forest for us to use. Forestry commission wouldn't like repair to be carried out on site.
The group that use it are all mountain bikers, we all volunteer time to built and maintain the trails. The only income we have is a small yearly membership which goes on materials etc. Agreed the axle is inadequate for the sizs of the trailer, its been fine for ages until it Hit a large bump loaded. We don't have funds too replace which is why it's getting repaired, I'm doing it for nothing, just my time which is also scarse. Borrowed some bottles from work and axle now within a few mm of straight, need to add some gussets help out some

 

[postie jon]

Take some air out of the tyres while you’re at it. It will give it some bounce, not a lot mind if they’re over filling it.

They look suspiciously like turf tyres too..

maximum 6 psi...

 

[wookie]

It's too late now but I bet you could have just used a bottle jack between the tipper body and the axle to press it straight, unless the body is made from tinfoil.

I agree it needs gussetting but that will only encourage people to overload/tow it too fast again. I've played this game with farmers, they break it, you repair and strengthen it, they then abuse it even more until the next weakest point gives up. Rinse and repeat...

 

[dannyp]

That’s why I like farmers I mend it and give them a bill ... next time you give them a bigger bill untill they buy a new one and it starts again.

Sounds like the op has bodged it in an acceptable manner for its use it is after all a hobby use trailer.

If it dies again just get rear beam or two off a fwd transit they are often for nothing and tbhsuspention on such trailers is about pointless tyres have more flex than rusty leaf springs. I have a couple of simalar bodged trailers that by the sound of it get far more stick and do ok.

 

[Bill Edwards]

It's too late now but I bet you could have just used a bottle jack between the tipper body and the axle to press it straight, unless the body is made from tinfoil.

I agree it needs gussetting but that will only encourage people to overload/tow it too fast again. I've played this game with farmers, they break it, you repair and strengthen it, they then abuse it even more until the next weakest point gives up. Rinse and repeat...

Farmers, yes.
But it's possible that the people using this trailer (mountain bikers) who do so on a voluntary basis with very limited funding simply overloaded it and took it too fast through lack of knowledge and experience, and if they're told 'I have repaired it but it can't take as much weight as you had on and must be taken slower over rough ground' they might actually listen and make an effort.

I'd expect a more intelligent approach from them than most farmers have.