loaned new trailer - broken axle

[Egon]

Brand new trailer? Never been loaded? broke axle on first loading? If so have the broken axle checked as to why/how it broke and of course find out the load placed on the trailer.

Then take it from there.

 

[tawilson]

I'm just guessing here, but wouldn't a broken axle be more a sign of hitting something with the wheel with a load on the trailer than just overloading it? I think on my trailer the frame would give before an axle would break. Again, I'm just wondering.

 

[Jstpssng]

maybe take it back where you bought it and tell them what happened and ask if they would check it out for you. they sold it so they should know how it looks compared to others. or just ask the company who tore it up if they would like to buy it from you since it sounds like they need one anyway.
good luck man,
Dan

hale trailers in tulsa does a good job, so does a&n for trailer parts

That's the best advice I've seen. I learned a long time ago not to borrow anything I can't replace, and don't loan anything unless I don't need it back. (On the rare occasion I lend my tractor, I go with it.)

 

[JerryG]

There may not be anything else wrong with the trailer. I could have been a defective axle from the start. If it was, more than likely it would have failed the first time that it was loaded.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had this happen to me with my 16 tandem also. I loaned it to a co-worker to get his sons car that was broken down 200 miles away. He got the car fine and made it home fine. The next day bring the trailer back to my house he stopped for gas. He forgot he had it on the truck and hit the poles that protect the gas pumps and bent the axle and rim. He offered to buy the trailer for what I had in it but the cost went up about 30% in a year due to steel going up. We took it to a trailer/spring shop. They put a new axle and rim under it and it has been fine. From now on I do the towing of the trailer.

Chris

 

[Dougster]

What did they load on it and how did they load it?

I think that's the key question and... along with the details of the repair that's made... should determine where you go from here. You just don't have enough information yet to determine what additional steps may be necessary beyond, rather obviously, a trailer professional's visual inspection.

I assume this is a 10,000 lb dual-axle equipment trailer and not a 7,000 lb car trailer which is a lot easier to damage... but regardless, understanding exactly how they broke it is going to be half the battle. In particular, I'd like to know how they managed to break one axle and not the other? or with such a gross overload, why weren't the ramps damaged first before they even moved it? Would have been a good "hint" that something was wrong maybe?

For now, I tend to vote with those folks who think it may have hit something while overloaded... and with those folks who also feel that axle replacement (not just repair) is warranted.

Dougster

 

[Sandlot]

Well, I guess I will play the bad guy here. I would have just told them that I hope they are happy with THEIR repaired trailer and then ask when will my NEW trailer be delivered.

 

[rcrcomputing]

Wow, I'll try to give you as mush info as I have right now. (Till Monday).

I loaned a 7,000lb car hauler.
I went to get it the next day. The guy in back said one of the guys thought the wheels bowing in and out must be some new kind of suspension. My eyes got wide. I asked how much weight they put on it. He said 5 - pallets. So, he and I went and looked up how much the pallets weighed. (I was surprised that he didn't know) 1300lbs each. I told him I thought the bowing was the axles bending.. I took the trailer home. It did act as though it tried to apply the brakes a coupla of times which seemed strange. I did not inspect the trailer at that time.

The next day, they called and said they weren't quite done with it. I told them what the guys in back had done and asked them to be sure this didn't happen again. They came and got the trailor. A few days later, I had my gal give them a ring and they said they were hoping to get it back out of the shop by the time I called for it. They had broken the axle. They offered to bring me there trailer if I needed one.

That's about all I know for now... These are really great folks and I hate that this happened. In any case, I'd imagine I'll just get the trailer back and have it checked out and foot the repairs myself. I'm sure they've not enjoyed this any more than I have.

I'll also take it by the tire guy and have him check the tires..

I just got the brake installer installed. Now I'm more scared to load the tractor than I already was... LOL

 

[plowking]

If your business friend wasn't involved in loading the trailer. but had employees load it, they probably didn't know how to load or didn't want to make another trip. My kids friend worked for a roofing company, they had to haul materials back from finished job out of state, they had to haul it all back in one trip because boss didn't want two trips, so they freighted the heck out of it. It made it back in one piece. plowking

 

[RayH]

This situation sucks for all involved but I have to be honest, these arent "great guys" as you describe them. They abused your equipment, apparently twice and they did it intentionally without thought for your generosity or friendship. I know its tough to admit when youve been screwed by someone you trust, but you need to step back a look at this for what it is.
The bottom line is, would you have done that to their trailer? possibly the first time by accident or not knowing better. but would you turn right around and do it again? If the answer is no, then why did they do it? I wouldnt do that to my friends trailer.
Whats done, is done though. I agree with taking it back to the dealer you got it from and have them check it over real good, at the expense of those who broke it.