I beam trailer axle help??
 

I just bought this boat and trailer combo last fall so I'm starting to try to figure out some of the trailer problems. Initially I thought the front axle was a torsion axle and it was jammed up. I'm finding that I have what seems to be excessive tongue weight and the rear axle appears to be carrying all the load. It is hard to see in the picture below, but the rear tires are bulged a lot and the front look like it has no weight on it. When the boat is off, the front wheels come off the ground. It is almost like the front axle is at the wrong angle, which is why I thought it was stuck up. I kept using a lower and lower drop to try to load the front axle, but now I'm at a downward slant and they are still off the ground about an inch with the boat off. I took the trailer to a shop and they said the front axle is actually a solid axle and replacing it with a torsion axle like the rear "may" help. Of course the axle length is not standard and would have to be a custom size axle.

Can anyone shed some light on what type of trailer this is and why it has a solid front axle instead of a torsion in front? Is this how it should be setup or what is wrong with the setup? What can I do to correct it and make it a good towing trailer with both axles are loaded?

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps5941bf04.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps1e1af4f8.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps1845fea4.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps30f8675c.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psfe14d691.jpg
Rear wheel looks like it is loaded a lot more than the front.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psaf03b408.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps0e4e16dd.jpg

Thanks for the help.
Dean

That looks to be a shop trailer that was designed, built, and (ab)used as such. It really looks spent in my humble opinion.

That said, you MAY be able to take it off and spin the axle 180 degrees and it could possibly be useable--as if someone installed it backwards and upside down...
...but I highly doubt it.

If it were me; I'd try to trade it in for whatever I could get for it at a marina with a lot of boats, that also sells a reputable brand of trailer...
...or sell it on Craigslist to someone with full disclosure that it would only be suited for a lightweight fishing boat. It really does not look hefty enough to support the kind of weight your boat possesses.

I know that is mostly not what you want to hear, but that's what it looks like in pictures. Where is that cut I-beam where the number is imprinted? That alone scares the hell out of me.

The cut out in the beam is for the master cyclinder: see picture below just infront of the trailer stand jack where the two beams come together. I thought it looked a little shaddy too...

Thanks for the advice, I want to hear the truth whatever it may be and what the best options are. The trailer mecahnic actually said the same thing about taking it to a marina and trying to trade it in or sell it on CL so I wasn't surpised to hear it again. I love the I beam look, but hate the way the boat sits on it. They gave me a quote today of $500 for a new torsion axle and $200 to install it. I don't mind putting the money into it, but i want a good trailer when I'm done. It seems like even with a new axle it may not be suitable either way?

If I do decide to sell it, how much would you ask for it in the condition it is in?

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psa493b43e.jpg

Get rid of it. It is a cheaply built trailer w/ issues.

Wannabe

Do not put a dime into it.

Ask $1000 bucks. Take $750.

Got a ?..what boat is on it?? twin engine? fuel tank size?

The more I look at it; I think that's a home built trailer that someone slapped together with spare parts and materials. That bow stand is a nightmare and will rip right off in an accident; WAY to many points of failure.

Do you have a title for it? What does the title say?
I think that embossed number is probably something that was stamped on there by some state entity or B/D of MV; in attempt to get it registered as a home built trailer.

That might work well for someone who only wants winter storage; or a shop trailer like I mentioned above.

The boat is a 233 formula with a single 454. Fuel tank is 70 gallon half full in the picture.


The registration just says custom built trailer no manufacturers name etc. There are no trailer titles in MI ufortunitly. Looking around at other trailers I do see what you are saying about the build quality. It is hard to understand the thought process behind this trailer build, including the bow stand and front axle.

Honestly don't trust your boat to that thing.

Wannabe

So I started looking around for a new used trail to take this ones place as recommended. I have a couple leads but came across this one and wanted to see what you guys thought so I don't end up with another bad one. It almost looks the same as mine but with the good parts.

http://http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/3846083923.html

I asked about the weight capacity because you can't read the tags. It is 5200 lbs which I assume is GTWR.

Dean