I bent the front axle on my trailer, I think it's a 3500lb axle or maybe 4000 or something. So I'm gonna buy a brake axle for it since i think that would be a good idea, I'm also going to change the hubs on the other axle to 6 lug GM pattern if possible along with the new axle because I have a set of wheels/new tires off a 2000 GMC.


Should I run the brake axle in the rear or front? It would be more convienent to run it up front since that's the one that's bent but what ever is best...


This is on a 16 ft utility trailer with a 2 inch ball.

Thanks!

 

Always put the brake axle on the back, converting the good axle to a 6 lug is a matter of hub and bearings..

 

Every tandem axle trailer I've had that only had one brake axle the brakes were on the front. That's how the manufacturer built it.

 

Yeah this will only have one brake axle.

 

depending on the manufacture of the axle, just swapping out the hubs and bearings for the 6 lug is not just that easy. most simple 5 lug axle's is 3500 pound ratings, 6 lug is heavier(4500,5000) and will be larger, tube spindle.

grouch is correct in most cases, just depends on who builds the trailer

 

Do you mean 6 or 8 lug? I'm referring to simple 6 lug off a GM truck.

 

You need to ID the axles you have and go from there. The trailer mfr should be able to provide you with a build sheet from your serial number, Most axles have ID info stamped on the the tubes..

Here is the link to the Dexter site they have a lot of down-loadable info:

http://dexteraxle.com/products___literature

 

front axle needs the brakes it will have the most weight.

 

It's far better to have brakes on both axles and it's an easy modification. You can add a complete backing plate to a non brake axle, get a drum and splice in the wiring.

All the trailers I've built or modified have been set up with brakes on both axles. If you have two 3500 lb axles and are fully loaded at 7000 lbs, it's much better to have four brakes. Think how inadequate your 7000 lb Dodge truck would be if it only had two little 9 inch drum brakes on the rear. Or think of trying to stop fast with only one trailer axle braking and your truck doing the extra work. The first mountain pass you go down and can actually feel the trailer pulling back, you'll thank yourself. The brakes will run cooler and last longer.

 

Well I might check into that if it isn't too much but I'm not that worried this thing won't be used too much and I live in the flats.

 

When only one brake axle is being installed on a tandem axle trailer, the brakes should be on the rear axle for maximum system performance. Rotational torque applied to axles during braking shifts the equalizer and applies more weight to rear axle. If brakes are installed on the front axle, the wheel may skid during braking. Brakes on rear axle are more effective as the equalizers shifts and the rear tires dig in to the pavement.

Link:

http://www.trailersrless.com/braking-systems.php


Red,

It sounds like you will be OK with one braking axle.. the call is yours as only you know how much weight your putting on the thing and how / where it will be used. If it is used commercially(over 3K) you are required to have them on all 4 corners..

If you down load the axle info it gives you a break down on hubs / bearings ect.. Their is a lot of interchangeability available. an option I see is you could use the remaining axle for another project and put 2 new ones on the trailer with brakes..

 

I talked to a friend who used to build and sell custom race trailers. He recommends brakes on all the wheels but on a budget he says to go with the front axle. The reason being braking dynamics. The rear of the trailer will want to pull up. It will mostly be restrained by the hitch and tow vehicle. However, it will take a slight weight off the rear axle. Since this is where the brakes would be, they would be less effective than on the front. There, due to the weight bias shift the front axle will get better traction and you'll get more effective braking.

Sort of like taking an older Porsche 911 hot into a curve and THEN letting up on the throttle. It's a good way to end up in a spin and probably the ditch. (I've done this, not a good idea.)

 

Grouch did these custom built trailers have torsion flex's or walking beams?

I have built a few myself, here is the link to the last one built, post 22:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...t213006p2.html

 

He builds what ever the customer wants. I remember helping him once with an extra set of hands to finish up a custom drop down trailer. I've never seen one like it either before or since. It was for a race team and he built it with an air suspension. By letting the air off, you could sit the trailer flat on the grond and not need much ramp. They had two road race cars with heavy spoilers and ramps would damage them. Mostly he built them with spings like the one you posted but he built trailers for 40 years before retiring and he still does the occasional job on the side. I wish I could tie my shoes as well as he cuts and welds metal.

 

Does not matter, it is personal preference. Nothing shows one way is better than the other.