Trailer project

Eddie Greenlee

Eddie Greenlee

TJ Addict
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2016
Messages
2,613
Location
Mississippi
I did a little horse trading and came up with a 20’ Kandam axle trailer build.
I put 4 new tires on it yesterday and pulled it home. It was so rough. I think I’ll need to take some air pressure out of the tires when it’s empty. ?
The thing I don’t know anything about, is the leaf spring suspension.
I noticed I only have one thick leaf.
I think most trailers have 5 or 6 stacked leaf springs.
Does this have anything to do with the way it rides ?? And should I change them out?
The axles are 3” mobile home axles so each axle is around 5000 lbs each from what I hear. ?

0AAEF63C-303A-4811-8A0E-6EC606162600.jpeg


89FC07BB-85FA-4EEE-B77F-E0E7FCCC213A.jpeg


BBC984D5-93AA-458F-99A3-D5E5576D7475.jpeg


B5BE4A7D-A096-4100-9F5E-BEE988D181D9.jpeg


18A1A5C0-1838-4F78-BCD6-D81129A9005B.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: TJ Starting, Wildman, someguysjeep and 1 other person
not seein any brakes? axles are all over the place depending on what they were designed for. some mobile home or camper axles claim higher ratings but some really don't have the spindle size to support it.
mine said 5k axles and had 12" brakes but it also only had what equated to 2000# rated spindle bearings.

not a bad idea to carry an extra set of bearings JIC. and since your unsure of the condition of those single leafs, i'd op to replace those since a failure leaves you no support. and a wrong end failure could be quite a nasty event,

i just got a whole new setup for mine... new frame mounts to the axle clamps for 250$
springs run about 60$ea, for 5k's
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman and Eddie Greenlee
Good advice above. I would definitely swap out the mono leafs for a Multi Leaf setup at your earliest convenience. Multi leafs are inherently safer due to their design. Each leaf is designed to carry a portion of load/stress. In the event of a failure, the multi-leaf setup is much safer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eddie Greenlee
someguysjeep said:
not seein any brakes? axles are all over the place depending on what they were designed for. some mobile home or camper axles claim higher ratings but some really don't have the spindle size to support it.
mine said 5k axles and had 12" brakes but it also only had what equated to 2000# rated spindle bearings.

not a bad idea to carry an extra set of bearings JIC. and since your unsure of the condition of those single leafs, i'd op to replace those since a failure leaves you no support. and a wrong end failure could be quite a nasty event,

i just got a whole new setup for mine... new frame mounts to the axle clamps for 250$
springs run about 60$ea, for 5k's
Click to expand...
Unfortunately no brakes on the trailer.
Wonder if the spindles have a weight load stamped on them ? I am going to replace the bearing set and seal on a couple of the wheels
 
  • Like
Reactions: PurpleTJAZ
Eddie Greenlee said:
Unfortunately no brakes on the trailer.
Wonder if the spindles have a weight load stamped on them ? I am going to replace the bearing set and seal on a couple of the wheels
Click to expand...
mine were tiny like 1" ID on the big bearing (Inner) and like .95" ID on the smaller (outer) . where newer equipment runs a 1.75"ID inner and a 1.25"ID outer when in the 5k load range. couldn't even find bearings that small at most retail sites.

once you figure out your bearing set you could likely adapt brake drum assy's to either axle if you desired.

https://thetrailerpartsoutlet.com/pages/collections-list
dig through the parts and you start to notice patterns.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman and Eddie Greenlee
JEEPCJTJ said:
Even a multi leaf spring only has one leaf that runs the full length. The ride may be better but I wouldn't think something so thin would be stronger than a thick ass mono leaf.
Click to expand...
Strength is probably about the same, but multi leaf packs are definitely safer.
 
someguysjeep said:
mine were tiny like 1" ID on the big bearing (Inner) and like .95" ID on the smaller (outer) . where newer equipment runs a 1.75"ID inner and a 1.25"ID outer when in the 5k load range. couldn't even find bearings that small at most retail sites.

once you figure out your bearing set you could likely adapt brake drum assy's to either axle if you desired.

https://thetrailerpartsoutlet.com/pages/collections-list
dig through the parts and you start to notice patterns.
Click to expand...
The outter spindle where the bearing rides measures 1.25
The inner spindle where the bearing rides measures 1.38
 
  • Like
Reactions: someguysjeep
someguysjeep said:
mine were tiny like 1" ID on the big bearing (Inner) and like .95" ID on the smaller (outer) . where newer equipment runs a 1.75"ID inner and a 1.25"ID outer when in the 5k load range. couldn't even find bearings that small at most retail sites.

once you figure out your bearing set you could likely adapt brake drum assy's to either axle if you desired.

https://thetrailerpartsoutlet.com/pages/collections-list
dig through the parts and you start to notice patterns.
Click to expand...
Adapting a brake assy would be great! Think I would have to weld a flange on for that though. I’ll call trailer parts outlet and ask
 
I did go out and find an outter bearing and had to order a inner bearing. @ autozone and O’Reilly‘s.
I did find a number on each bearing , through VERY hard to read
 
  • Like
Reactions: someguysjeep
Eddie Greenlee said:
Adapting a brake assy would be great! Think I would have to weld a flange on for that though. I’ll call trailer parts outlet and ask
Click to expand...
ya, it would need a flange welded on each end, but they have them, too. and if your in the 3500 class you could get away with 10" drums, depending on how much weight you intend to carry regularly.
the hardest thing might be matching you with a drum that fits your spindle bearing sizes. but the sea of parts is almost endless out there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eddie Greenlee
Ok, first thing is those axles look like they are from a mobile home. Odd size of 14.5", if so, not DOT approved except to move the trailer, so you may want to consider just swapping to a real trailer axle/wheel combination...a single leaf is not what I would be worried about right now. I went through this before, a knowledgeable state inspector/cop will know what they are and force you to change them or have a tow truck remove the trailer from the highway
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eddie Greenlee
astjp2 said:
Ok, first thing is those axles look like they are from a mobile home. Odd size of 14.5", if so, not DOT approved except to move the trailer, so you may want to consider just swapping to a real trailer axle/wheel combination...a single leaf is not what I would be worried about right now. I went through this before, a knowledgeable state inspector/cop will know what they are and force you to change them or have a tow truck remove the trailer from the highway
Click to expand...
Thanks, I was actually able to find a tire that is a DOT approved heavy duty trailer tire and the DOT # is stamped on the tire.
The mobile home use only tires that were on it came off before it was even painted.
I’m in the process of changing and or repacking all the bearings now.
I actually found the numbers on the old bearings.
I still have to put a light kit , safety chains and fenders on it.
The leaf springs in question too.
 
I have looked into some 5000 lb axles with brakes and do have a local supplier, so it’s on my mind for sure, but for now I’m just working on making it a nice trailer.
Oh and yep gotta buy the treated lumber $$$🤦
 
Top Bottom
Back