DTSFab.com (Desert, Trail and Sand)

Machinery, Trailers, Toyhaulers and Motorhomes => Trailers, Toyhaulers and Motorhomes => Topic started by: SPEC on June 23, 2010, 05:54:20 PM

Title: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on June 23, 2010, 05:54:20 PM
I need to stretch the trailer that I haul the Great Punkin on...I need to keep it low... I was thinking on putting the axles on a fulcrum...
I haven't done up a paint yet... But was kind ot thinking like a set up on dual axle'd skidders
Any body got any thoughts?
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: Boostinjdm on June 23, 2010, 06:30:23 PM
like the livestock trailers that drop to the ground for loading?
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on June 24, 2010, 05:27:26 AM
Yeah, kinda..
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: fabr on June 24, 2010, 05:59:42 AM
I'm lost.
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on June 24, 2010, 06:07:26 AM
Instead of having leaf springs and shackles
the axles would be mounted with an arm tieing the 2 together mounted on a pivot so they could move freely up and down,
I was thinking of bags or shocks to control the oscillation ...I'm doing a shitty paint now
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: fabr on June 24, 2010, 06:12:50 AM
OH ,a torsion axle.
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: Boostinjdm on June 24, 2010, 01:18:14 PM
Looks like a combination between a torsion axle and a walking beam.  Why are you wanting to do this exactly?
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on June 24, 2010, 01:26:48 PM
I need to have a tandem axle trailer, I don't got no money ;D
I'm needing to transport the Boda a looooonnnng way
Around here I get away with the single 8000# axle...but for the distance it will have to go...that is just too hard on the truck and my back
I don't want to spend the money on springs,shackles and equalizers
So I was sorta thinking of a shocked walking beam set up
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: Dunebound69 on July 02, 2010, 01:45:07 PM
Have you considered just welding the axles to the frame. We have one like that. Still works good just hard on tires since the tires become the springs. Looks like you will have the same effect with the two tied together like that. But you will keep all the tires on the ground in the rough.
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 03, 2010, 05:12:53 AM
I've got a single ridged mounted now... But the trailer was built for stoopid heavy loads around town
I need to haul some stuff 700 miles
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: sandvw on July 03, 2010, 08:05:58 AM
You can rent a trailer cheaper from u-haul than what it is going to cost you to put an axle on the trailer. The only thing is when you are done you will not have a tandem axle trailer.
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: fabr on July 03, 2010, 09:07:38 AM
He hopes to use the trailer more than once.
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: Boostinjdm on July 03, 2010, 09:15:33 PM
If you've already got an 8000# axle, why not just put a set of springs on it and be done?
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 04, 2010, 09:19:08 AM
I've got 2 axles...
And the reason to go tandem if pretty apparent
The truck and trailer porpoise going down the freeway...
I built that trailer for one task only...Big ugly loads of iron or wood for short distances...
Now I may need to haul big loads for nearly 700 miles 1 way...Any single axle trailer is going to do the teeter totter...
I'm just looking for a cheap solution to the dilemma
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: chrishallett83 on July 04, 2010, 09:53:33 AM
I like your idea Spec, with shocks on it.
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 04, 2010, 10:00:48 AM
that's the plan...
Just enough down pressure to keep the tires from bouncing around ;D
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: chrishallett83 on July 04, 2010, 10:16:59 AM
Would airbags each end be even better?
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: Boostinjdm on July 04, 2010, 12:47:18 PM
Any single axle trailer is going to do the teeter totter...If not loaded correctly.

There, fixed it for ya.

Seriously though, tandems also teeter totter unless the a axles are sprung independently.  Like the trailers I've built with two torsion axles.  Or if you did leaf springs and did not use the balance bar.  Still, the trailer will teeter a little.  Only it's a short hard jolt instead of a gradual sway.  My torsion axle trailers ride pretty rough empty, but loaded to 80%+ of their capacity, they ride like a dream.  Sprung tandems with a balance bar seem to be more forgiving.  They ride better with lighter loads.  The only real solution to a teeter totter issue is to distribute the weight properly.

How much weight are you dealing with?  Or you gonna make me google the punkin to see what the manufacturer says?
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 04, 2010, 02:00:49 PM
Not just the Boda...there's many accessories as well as odds and ends kinda stuff...
I built all of these trailers for tight space maneuverability, so empty they are pretty neutral weight wise with fairly short tongues...This makes turning around in the woods and customers lots a breeze
I know how to correctly load a trailer, Boost... ;D
I'll tell ya what brought this on...I've been getting alot of work 50-60 miles away from home and using the 2 wheel trailers at hi-way speeds on the rouph roads around here scares the shit out of me...If you watch the tractor in the mirror too long you WILL GET SEASECK from the up and down rocking...Not swaying side to side...when I got home with the dump truck...the rear shocks were almost smoking...so they had long gone faded to shit...barely felt the difference in the cab...
I just don't want to pay the outrageous prices for the shit that's out there for sale these days
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: Boostinjdm on July 04, 2010, 05:10:23 PM
Ok, so let's look at it this way....If your trailer is loaded correctly with the general rule of 10-20% tongue weight, and it is still doin the teeter totter thing.  Then the problem is the tow vehicle.  Springs on the trailer would be a good idea, but springs and/or shocks on the truck would do more to stop the rocking.

So how much weight are we talking.....
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 04, 2010, 05:21:39 PM
5000# minimum
The trailer is just too short for this job...
Ya I can go over the scales locally...70 miles one way with truck and trailer at 13 to 15 thousand pounds, with out a problem...been doing it for almost 30 years...But here's the new scenario...
I may need to make 4 1400 mile round trips back to back with-out time to fook around between them...
I like the idea of the walking beam because the principle allows the axles to work semi independently without adding the height of leaf springs and shackles...or the expense of torsion axles
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: Boostinjdm on July 04, 2010, 05:30:34 PM
But when compared to the single axle you got now, it does nothing to fix the teeter totter.  That's why I brought up the truck springs/shocks.  And from you description, I think I'm on to something.

The main reason I don't like walking beam set ups, is the problems with alignment.  Especially at high speeds.  It takes so much to get it right and so little to get it wrong.  Just one trip the length you are talking could burn through a set of tires or worse.  Add in the amount of weight we are talking and that walking beam design and alignment becomes more critical.

Not that we need to know, but what's the reason for the distance? 
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 04, 2010, 05:57:39 PM
I know what your saying about the walking beam and the alignment issues it creates,

Can't say just yet...but I need a change of scenery...
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 05, 2010, 06:05:33 AM
Altho I think it's a neat idea I'm thinking prolly just do a 20 foot conventional tandem axle trailer...for the move and back to the single axle once the boda and stuff are there
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: fabr on July 05, 2010, 06:08:37 AM
Why would you want to go back to a single axle? EVER?
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 05, 2010, 06:20:06 AM
When turning around on customers lots tandems tear up the grass
Not a problem on most jobs but there are those that I need to turn around on the lawn when working around the lake...Up here most of the roads aren't wide enough fo me to park on the shoulder without being part way on the road
Plus I'm thinking I prolly won't need such a big trailer all the time ;D
But I could be all wet here tho ;D
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: fabr on July 05, 2010, 06:28:41 AM
Go dry off.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 05, 2010, 06:30:52 AM
 kick drowning rofl
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: fabr on July 07, 2010, 06:13:16 AM
After last nights conversation that move may be getting much closer to reality now.
Title: Re: Cantalevered tandem trailer axles
Post by: SPEC on July 07, 2010, 06:19:22 AM
 gg: gg: ff: ff:
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal