Spring spacing on trailer

[FerrisSJ]

I recently bought a stripped down pop-up camper to convert it into a utility trailer. The cargo area is approximately 6x10 minus where the wheels come in at the middle. I'd like to push the wheels back 1 foot to give it the proper 60/40 ratio for the axle, on top of that, i'd like to push the wheels out to either side of the trailer so that I'll have a true 6x10 cargo area.
So do I need to fill in the space at the middle of the trailer with some box-tubing in order to mount the leaf springs at the outer edge of the trailer, or can i just move the leaf springs back on the same rail they are currently attached to and replace the axle with a long one. This is a light duty trailer, won't ever be hauling more than 2000lbs, including the trailer itself.
Opinions on the matter? I appreciate all feedback on this.

 

[Oliver1655]

If you want to have the tires outside the box, you will need to widen your axle and have your springs mounted on the outer rails of your frame. The springs need to stay as close to the spindle assemblies as possible while allowing for tire clearance for strength. I would not worry about moving the current spring hangers. You can pick up some new ones from almost any farm/home supply store or make your own if you can cut and bend metal.

 

[travis potter]

move the springs out but just cut the axel in the center and add a splice if it is round get a piece of pipe that will slip over the axel and let it over lap 1 ft onboth sides and weld it in. I built some house trailer axles one time and the splice was welded on one side only you could then use them on any width frame the customer said they worked just fine.

 

[pat32rf]

Remember that the wheels, tires, springs and spindles(axle) were all designed for a certain weight. You can't increase that weight by changing one thing, unless its the axle spring assembly.
Try to keep the brakes if they were original and realize that the axle has a top and bottom which effects your wheel camber, just as the brakes have a designed rotation direction.
I've found that for wood and dirt hauling, you are just as far ahead to cut the frame down to the axle width.