What Axle Do I Have?

[Iplayfarmer]

I am sorry for the bad news but a brake kit for one axle runs around $250. Now that includes the wiring, break-away kit, battery, 2 backing plates with shoes and springs, and the drums. You will need someone to remove the current mounting tabs and weld on new ones to spec. I can get new axles for about $200 to $250 with the brakes depending on options.

With this being odd ball I am not sure what the cost would be but you are in for.

Chris

The good news is it sounds like you can actually get the brake kit. The problem with getting new axles is that I'm probably looking at new wheels and new tires too. This trailer isn't worth any of that. I love that it has a really low deck and it's a tilt bed, but it's old and UGLY. (See the attached picture. The trailer in question is the one in the foreground.)

I think I'm just going to install and anchor with a release mechanism controlled from the cab of the truck. If I get in trouble, I'll throw out the anchor and that will stop me.

I'm just kidding about the anchor thing. I'll probably finish working this trailer over and sell it. I'll go back to using my old non-tilt trailer (background in the attached picture) until I can find another tilt with axles that either have brakes or that I can get brakes for. I may also keep my eyes open for a few weeks to see if I can pick up an old wrecked two horse trailer. I think most of those had brakes and drop axles. That would be about perfect for this trailer.

Someday I'll be rich and I can just go buy a brand new trailer that is exactly what I want. Until then, poor men have poor ways. I'm just happy to have a trailer at all to move my tractor around.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

A neighboor friend stopped by last night while I was finishing up my maintenance job on this trailer. I shared with him the abbreviated version of the I-can't-get-brakes saga, and he reminded me that his family owns a boat business.

My initial thought was "So What?? I don't need a boat." Then I remembered that boats come with TRAILERS!! He said he can get me OEM pricing on 3500# drop axles with brakes. He also said that a guy he works with has a set of torsion axles I could probably get for cheap.

Do torsion axles work okay for a tilt trailer?

 

[Diamondpilot]

On a boat trailer you are not going to have electric brakes, you are going to have hydraulic so it may not be so simple. You will need to plumb the trailer and get a master cylinder coupler, about $300.

As for the torsion axles they have good and bad points. The biggest issue with them is there is no way to level he load between the two axles like on a conventional setup with load levelers. We used to get boat trailers with torsion axles a few years back but never again. Blew too many tires and when we would weigh them out the load split could be great. With a conventional system we were within 10% but usually 2-3%.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

On a boat trailer you are not going to have electric brakes, you are going to have hydraulic so it may not be so simple. You will need to plumb the trailer and get a master cylinder coupler, about $300.

As for the torsion axles they have good and bad points. The biggest issue with them is there is no way to level he load between the two axles like on a conventional setup with load levelers. We used to get boat trailers with torsion axles a few years back but never again. Blew too many tires and when we would weigh them out the load split could be great. With a conventional system we were within 10% but usually 2-3%.

Chris

The axles he was offering to me have electric brakes. I don't know if that's because he runs electric brakes on his boat trailers or because he can get OEM pricing on the entire line of stuff from the manufacturer.

Thanks for the input on the torsion axles. My first concern was whether the torsion axles would somehow interfere with the tilt action of the bed, but I hadn't considered the concept of balancing the load.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have been around boats for about 30 years and selling and servicing them for about 22 and have only seen 2 trailers with electric brakes on them. Not saying they are not out there but are very rare.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I have been around boats for about 30 years and selling and servicing them for about 22 and have only seen 2 trailers with electric brakes on them. Not saying they are not out there but are very rare.

Chris

My guess, then, is that he's got OEM pricing on whatever the manufacturer makes whether hydraulic or electric.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I hope they are electric. It would be a great find. If they are hydraulic one other option is to put a electric over hydraulic kit on it. I tow one boat with one and while its my least favorite its the best match for its nearly 25,000# weight.

Chris

 

[schmism]

I have been around boats for about 30 years and selling and servicing them for about 22

Dont mean to burst your bubble...but what in the world kind of boat buisness is there in the middle of hosserville (aka daleville) IN. :thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

I transport boats and buy and sell boats as a part time business. I do not have a marina per say but have a large 52'x42' shop at my home we do most of the work in. I mainly work for about the same 25 people and a close friend has a storage facility where we keep about 75 units. They all need launched and recovered plus the normal maintenance. There are 8 good sized lakes within a 1 hour drive.

I also take care of 2 trailers for a mowing company. I have also started doing all the mower maintenance for them about 3 years ago. From my contacts in the boating business and the mowing guys it gets me a little work here and there that I pick and chose to do. Mainly repacking wheel bearings, re doing brakes, installing hitches, light welding and fabrication, installing brake controllers, ect. My flying schedule only keeps me in the air a average of 12 days per months so I need something to keep me busy and this a perfect fit.

Currently I only have one unit for sale, a 27' Ebbtide Mystique if you are interested you could have a lot of fun on that river you have over there.

Chris

 

[sklunk]

I may be a little late to the thread, but call these guys to see if they can help:

R and P Carriages Trailer Sales, Service, Parts and Rentals

They are very knowledgeable about "all things trailer". And they sell brake kits for just about any axle!