joshuabardwell
Elite Member
I am really tempted to do an SOA conversion on my trailer. The trailer rides low enough that I have to have a really long shank on my WD head in order to get the trailer to ride level. Even worse, the spring bars scrape on the ground sometimes, if I go over a bump or a dip. The extra 4-6" or so would really make a difference, I think.
I have researched the topic extensively, in large part right here on TBN. My axles have camber, so I will need to have new spring perches welded on the top of the axle. I'm really torn on whether to proceed. Mostly, I'm concerned that I'm going to end up messing up my trailer's alignment and wear out my tires, or cause the trailer to pull badly. I guess what I'm looking for is input as to whether this kind of thing is fairly robust, or whether it is fairly sensitive. If I eyeball the location of the perches directly across from the existing ones, and eyeball them parallel, is it likely to be good enough? Once the trailer is assembled, do I need to confirm the alignment, or is it pretty much likely to be good to go? Will the existing spring mounts force the alignment to be correct, for example?
I have read that you can't re-use U-bolts, because the threads won't re-tension right. I've also read some people express concerns about weakening an axle by doing welds on it because the metal is supposedly relatively thin. Any validity to these concerns?
Thanks!
I have researched the topic extensively, in large part right here on TBN. My axles have camber, so I will need to have new spring perches welded on the top of the axle. I'm really torn on whether to proceed. Mostly, I'm concerned that I'm going to end up messing up my trailer's alignment and wear out my tires, or cause the trailer to pull badly. I guess what I'm looking for is input as to whether this kind of thing is fairly robust, or whether it is fairly sensitive. If I eyeball the location of the perches directly across from the existing ones, and eyeball them parallel, is it likely to be good enough? Once the trailer is assembled, do I need to confirm the alignment, or is it pretty much likely to be good to go? Will the existing spring mounts force the alignment to be correct, for example?
I have read that you can't re-use U-bolts, because the threads won't re-tension right. I've also read some people express concerns about weakening an axle by doing welds on it because the metal is supposedly relatively thin. Any validity to these concerns?
Thanks!