Reinforce the axle

[mark5w]

Not sure if this would work. But, can you weld a thick angle steel to the length of the axle to strengthen it? Not sure if the welding would weaken the steel of the axle or not. Plus, don't know how you compensate for the arch in the axle.



Any comments?

[harley]

Probably better to go up one size of axle. I had to go from flimsy 3500 lb one to a 4400 lb axle , which is a 5200 lb axle with 2200 lb springs. Thicker than the 3500 that bent on first long trip. Never a problem after that ,

[sleepyT]

Mark
I remember seeing one manufacturer that had a bolt on bar that went from left side to the right side, a set of two, but can't remember if it was Morr ride or not...

[Lloyd]

Did the axle bend on your ford? Front or rear?

[mark5w]

Originally Posted by sleepyT

Mark
I remember seeing one manufacturer that had a bolt on bar that went from left side to the right side, a set of two, but can't remember if it was Morr ride or not...

Tommy, I think what you are referring to is th X Factor Crossmember. It reduces stress on your frame from travel over rough roads, tight cornering or extreme side forces. It's aim is to Reduce frame stress.

[Thomas Walch]

Do not weld on trailer axles you will change the hardness of the axle and it will likely break later. Change the axle to a heavier weight rated axle. Welding to axles weaken them. They have a specific heat treatment from the manufacturer for there weight rating.

[stetson]

Originally Posted by Thomas Walch

Do not weld on trailer axles you will change the hardness of the axle and it will likely break later. Change the axle to a heavier weight rated axle. Welding to axles weaken them. They have a specific heat treatment from the manufacturer for there weight rating.

Adding an extra angle iron may strengthen the axle, but there is potential for the metal to crack alongside the weld unless the axle was preheated. BUT the big problem is that trailer axles have a certain bend to make sure the tires run straight. Welding on those axles could bend the axle so tire wear becomes problematic.

Do as the others suggest, get bigger axles.

[toolman.dustin]

Originally Posted by mark5w

Not sure if this would work. But, can you weld a thick angle steel to the length of the axle to strengthen it? Not sure if the welding would weaken the steel of the axle or not. Plus, don't know how you compensate for the arch in the axle.



Any comments?

Interesting question. I wondered the same thing. After a month of research I gave up and ordered a heaver axle. Just drove to Wichita today and picked them up.
But, making the axle tube less flexible (part of the suspension) will put more load on the spindles and the result will be bent spindles. I'm sure there are other issues with welding to the tubes (such as a change in tensile strength).

My trailer tires wore out on the inside tread in the first 5000 miles I put on the trailer. I went from 4400# axles to 6000# axles but I kept the 2200# springs. This new axle will flex (and flatten) less but the springs should give me about the same cushion (I hope). The brakes went from 10" to 12" and the new axles have self adjusting brakes.

Ordered from here: " https://www.theoempartsstore.com/60655E-ST-EZ-KIT.html "

Shipping was $225. Made to order and can't be returned once you sign for it. Lead time was 5 weeks. I tried to get Dexter to apply credit toward the "upgrade" but all they offered was to replace with the same setup. Which clearly was inadequate. Last summer's 5000 mile trip was about 900 lbs under the load limit of the trailer/axles.

So, this weekend I'll be swapping the axles and installing wet bolts.

" https://nickstruckparts.com/products...gaAqzlEALw_wcB "


good luck with your research. it's a difficult decision.

Dustin

[dbflyrod]

The only place to weld on the axle is the spring seat area. I have an 08 Cruiser 30SK that has a weight of up to 12k and came with 5200 k axles, Thats a total of 10.4 K load Capability. You tell me why?. OK, so I have so far replaces the rear axle with a 7K axle and have now seen completely less tp zero adverse wear on the tires. I would like to replace the front axle as well but I'm waiting on budget for that. Since the tire wear has subsided. I'm not too much worried about it. Will change it out ASAP but not tomorrow.

[dagst1]

12000# total - 20% pin weight = 9600# axle weight.
12000# total - 15% pin weight = 10200# axle weight.
So 10400# axles are the correct size. They axles are sized for the weight they will carry not the total GVWR of the camper. On a 5th wheel the mormal pin weight should be 18 to 20% of the GVWR.

[dbflyrod]

Hey Dagst1, Thanks for that info, I've always wondered how they could get away with such light axles. Then my case is also a bit different due to the fact that most of the time I'm pulling a tag trailer. Either a drift boat or ATVs.

[dagst1]

Then you would need to add the tongue weight to the camper weight. Then that total should be kept under the camper GVWR.

[dbflyrod]

So good to know, thanks again. No wonder my tires were wearing. Not any more and have never had a blowout since switching to LTs about 10 years ago.