2 or 3 axles?

[Corm]

TexasJeff - Thanks for the tip on the slide in ramps. I can definitely see how they would be a real bear to slide back in if they were to get bent. Thanks also for the words on the axle capacities. I knew better, just didn't think it through.. Another good thing to write down on my list to make sure the right parts get ordered... Thanks again.

Corm

[s1120]

Corm,
Don't forget brakes. Go with discs, they work a lot better, and are easy to work on.

Paul Bradway

[Bird]

Paul, you've made me curious. I've never seen electric trailer brakes that were disk brakes. I know how to work on disk brakes on cars and pickups, and I know how to work on electric trailer brakes, but do electric disk brakes exist now?

Bird

[s1120]

Oh, I dont know. I have spent most of my time working on boat trailers. They have surge brakes. I forgot all about elect. brakes. Here is link to try
http://championtrailers.com/

Paul Bradway

[dullpain]

For an answer to all, including disk brakes.

www.dexteraxle.com

Really good site.

[Bird]

Paul, didn't you leave something out on the URL? Shouldn't it be http://www.championtrailers.com/? But all I saw there was drum and shoe. Do they make disk surge brakes yet? I haven't seen any.


Bird

[Bird]

McCallum, that's a good web site. I like Dexter products, but hadn't seen their web site before. However, the only disc brakes I saw on their site were hydraulic. I know such a thing as air disc brakes exist now, but I'm guessing that there still may be no such thing as electric disc brakes or surge disc brakes.

Bird

[gordon]

Bird I believe you guessing right the only disc brakes that I've seen on trailers are vacumn over hydraulic. They used to be used on Airstream traveltrailers. There still a few trailers out on the road now with them, very few. We have replaced many a set of disc with electric brakes. Parts no longer available for the vacumn system on the trailer. Man did those disc brakes stop great.

Hayes is also another good brake/axle setup.
Gordon

[john4nh]

Hey It sounds like you got the experience of the guys from this board about why not to go with three axles. Iam just wandering why two 7000# axles wont do the trick? I have a custom built inside the trailor 20' w/two 7's and I haul a 580 case and before I sold it 450 case dozer not to mention my smaller farm machines.. The axles were strecthed to accomadate the width of the 580. The danger with going with the dual wheel axle set-up is loading and un-loading. I have not seen this brought up yet but when its wet or you got mud on your tire the sliding effect is quite spooky, let alone the height of the trailor. This is why I went with the low-boy with the custom axles. On the ramp issue I can tell you that I have heavey ramps that fold up. I like these for one reason, if the tractor sone how gets loose it would not make it past the ramps. On the other side mine arent detachable so they are a hand-ful to cut off and store when I dont need them. (I take them off if iam doing demo work and not hauling equipment.) If anyone has pics of a good way to have the best of both worlds Id like to see. I have some ideas time permiting. Just curios if anybody has considered this from a safety stand point? I have eletric brakes but I just cant remember what they are. Good luck to you, and go for working with the pro welder youll learn lots.. Oh yah one thing that I would do over is go with channel iron instead of angle iron. I do have bowed angled where the dozer set. will replace time permitting with channel.. My thoughts.

[s1120]

Yup, there are surge disc brakes. Most good boat tralers come with them. They are hydraulic, it is the surge coupler that activates the brakes