I'm cruising back from the river on the freeway when I feel the trailer start to sway violently. I look in the mirror to see a tire flying away. Turns out it was the entire rear axle with both wheels still attached. The axle tore out of its welds. I found it sitting in the left hand lane a 1/4 mile back. I was glad to have way too much truck today in the '11 2500HD Duramax as it came to nice controlled stop. There was no damage at all to the boat. I actually made it back the remaining 15 miles like this thanks to new Timkin bearings and new tires this spring.

WOW - I can't believe you didn't feel it when the trailer ran over the axel, The back of the trailer had to jump up.

Oh, I felt it. The trailer started swaying before the axle left. I saw it all happen in the mirror. It looks like the right side broke free and was rubbing on the rear of the fender for a bit.

It's a wonder it didn't it another car,

is that a brush mounted to your fender??

I can tell exactly what's wrong with your trailer in the 4th picture.

It's made by Rocket.
Completely redefines bottom of the barrel. No offense intended, but I'd put money into a new trailer before I fixed that one. I can see the mods you have made to make it load easier. You don't have to make these to custom bunk trailers.

Plum: Those brackets and axles are way to small to be carrying the weight you have. It looks like the last axle, which carries the weight of the engines gave way. I would seriously look for a new trailer. Second putting a new axle on will only be postponing the inevitable. Are those torsion axles?

Wannabe

Yes, they are a visual aid for the wife to help center the boat on the trailer.

I always felt the trailer was kinda small, but it's what came with the boat when I bought it about 5 years ago. It's rated for 10,500lbs. I took it to a CAT scale and it came in right at 10,000, so I thought it would be OK. I've probably put 12,000 miles on it. In fact, we just did 1500 miles round trip to Michigan in August. I'm sure glad this didn't happen that far from home.

Yes, they are torsion axles.

I think I'm going to get a Manning next.

Wow, glad every 1 was ok & the boat 2!!!!! good luck!!!