Building a Trailer...Out of a Trailer: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Sept. 29, 2011 10:16 a.m. PHeller Dork

I posted already about this, but the responses were thin.

I've got an old Holsclaw motorcycle trailer. Paid $200, on the road for $300. Even the cheapest Harbor Freight or Lowes trailer will cost $450 to put on the road.

Downside? The suspension (coil and shock with panhard) is alllllllllll messed up. Shredding one tire while leaving the other untouched.

All the local trailer shops will align it...until they hear about the coil spring and shock suspension...then they say "we'll probably need to make a new axle"...apparently no-body will try to bend it.

The deck surface (rails in this case) is too high for my liking, so the new axle/leaf spring setup would hopefully lower the deck 6 inches.

Anyone ever build a trailer?
Sept. 29, 2011 10:19 a.m. PHeller Dork

Oh, and I have tried selling it, had lots of interest until I mention that it goes through tires every 500 miles.
Sept. 29, 2011 10:23 a.m. N Sperlo Dork

Put an old truck rear axle on there.
Sept. 29, 2011 10:37 a.m. bravenrace SuperDork

take the axle to a spring shop or a welder. I think they'll be glad to straighten it for you.
Sept. 29, 2011 10:39 a.m. PHeller Dork

So instead of "trailer alignment" I should say I need a trailer axle straightened?
Sept. 29, 2011 11:52 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

If you're shredding a tire something is wrong. Is the bike/weight in the center or on one of the side rails?

Put the trailer on stands under the axle. Raise and block the receiver until the trailer is level. Lay a very long straight edge across the wheels, one side of the wheel to the other, pointed toward the front of the trailer. Measure from the straight edge to the receiver. Do the same on the other side. Load the trailer and do the same. Maybe the suspension on one side isn't working as the other side, thing tries to turn left.

I had a small trailer once that had a drop axle, similar to a Model T front end. When you bolt the axle to the suspension it had to be dead nuts straight up and down other wise the toe in-toe out is a killer.

Buy two of these for $22 each?
Sept. 29, 2011 12:25 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

Find a trailer shop that makes trailers for construction vehicles like Bobcats. Not a fancy RV place used to dealing with rich 5th wheel owners, but a grungy place in a bad part of town. They know how to straighten, fix, and repair anything trailer related.
Sept. 29, 2011 12:28 p.m. PHeller Dork

Yea something is wrong, the axle is bent. I've known this, and its clearly visible looking at the axle that its been bent, welded, rebent, welded...its all messed up.
Sept. 29, 2011 12:35 p.m. TRoglodyte HalfDork

Junkyard rear axle out of a Chrysler K car?
Sept. 29, 2011 12:47 p.m. cwh SuperDork

^^^ That is exactly what I was thinking. Might even come with wheels and tires that will be much stronger than you need.