2 or 3 axles?

[Corm]

john4nh - You and the rest of the guys, as well as a few I've spoken to locally have pretty much convinced me to go with the fold up ramps. I appreciate your advice about channel iron vs angle iron. As far as being able to take them off when I don't want them on, the few trailers that I've rented in the past used the same system as the ones in the pictures TexasJeff posted. That system seemed to work well.

I passed up an opportunity today to buy a brand new 18' 10,000# trailer, beaver tail, fold up ramps, electric brakes, for $2199. That price isn't a whole lot more than it will cost me to build one, but I'm really looking forward to being able to say "I helped build my trailer". My wife thinks I'm crazy....

Corm

[Corm]

Bird - my Dad drove a lot of old Fords with mechanical drum brakes. He calls them "Push and Pray Brakes"...

Corm

[Bird]

Corm, I've never driven any of the old Fords with mechanical brakes, but heard a few stories about them from my Dad, too. We've come a long ways, haven't we?

Bird

[scruffy]

Corm, I can't say I would want the fold up ramps. I had removable ramps on my 16' that stored on a rack on the trailer tongue. I can see some advantage to them, but then a definate disadvantage is they act as air brakes when traveling empty. My 9' utility had a fold up ramp, and while it was the extruded metal decking on it, it caught air like you wouldn't believe. I realize the weight of the larger trailer would negate some of the effects, it would still reduce fuel mileage that much more.

[dullpain]

The Dexter Axle web page @ Torsion Axle product has several warnings that Torsion Axles are NOT to be used in 3 axle setups. Don't know why but thought I would pass it along.

Ramps - I have owned 2 gooseneck trailers in my life, one with attached Swing-Up ramps, and the one I have now with detached slide in ramps. I much prefer the slide in ramps.

My trailer has a compartment in the dove tail that stores them. A door at rear of trailer with lynch pin holds em in. Mine are 5 1/2 feet long 3 inch channel iron frame with angle iron treads. They weigh about 80-90# each. They slide in and out easily, and are no trouble to attach. I ain't no big brute Atlas of a guy. Old & arthritic.

The slide ins give a much neater appearance, never interfere with load. Just my preference.

Sure will be looking forward to seeing a picture of that trailer when done.

[dullpain]

Posted this under "Attachments" with subject of AGRICULTURE HUBS & SPINDLES.

Copied over here because it has source for the HENSCHEN TORSION AXLES discussed in this thread.

For hubs & spindles go to

http://users.isaac.net/lincoln/

QDS Components - I have requested their catalog as I have been contemplating building a farm wagon. I could not find a vendor for the type of spindles I needed for the (steerable) front axle. Have not received the catalog but expect they will have them.

They also are vendor for the Henschen Torsion Axles discussed in the "2 or 3 Axle" thread under Off Topic & Just for Fun.

[Corm]

McCallum - in regards to your question about wagon spindles, you might try this web site - http://www.countrymfg.com/. They have some nice wagons there at a good price. Their web site doesn't say anything about selling individual parts for a wagon, but it never hurts to ask. If nothing else, the picture is a good guide to use if you plan to build one.

Corm

[LarryT]

Has anyone ever bought a wagon from Country Manufacturing mentioned in this thread? I've been thinking about building a farm wagon but at their prices I don't think I could buy the material. If they are decent, their price is great.

Larry...