Trailer Question
 

Anyone use a Load Master trailer to pull boat? just wondering how do you like the torsion axles? Mine is a 2001 model and the torsion has weakened to the point of bottomed out. No torsion, like running straight axles. New axles are about $700 a piece. debating on buying those or replacing with axles and springs.

What rating are the axles you are running? That's not typical unless overloaded.

I paid $325 for a 3500 torsion axle complete with hubs.

Tandem or triple axle? And how many pound axles?
I went from triple 3500# spring/weight distributing axles to tandem Dexter 6000# torsion axles and really like it.
Best prices I could find. Drop shipped 2 custom axles straight from Dexter to my shop door. (shipping $125)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-6000LB-D...5f87dd&vxp=mtr

turbo rr ,, rookie ,,
axles are 5200lb rating ,, tandem carries 29 Scarab

I'd rather have torsion over leaf springs any day of the week.
While that should not have happened on the load you described, perhaps you caught a couple of Monday or Friday axles when originally built.

Does the boat live on the trailer?
Do you always park it on level ground?

I'd replace with a new set of axles, either 5200 lbs. or 6000 lbs. if easy enough.
On my last boat trailer, I had both torsion axles bend outside the frame rails due to being overloaded. I ended up replacing with the exact same axles, and made sure to manage my weight. (Twin 3500# axles under a load that was 7280# fully loaded)
That trailer is doing fine some 10+ years later.


FWIW, this is an interesting little concept:
https://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...er-o61183.html

I'm going to take a closer look at my trailer at some point and see if my cross members would actually take the weight vs. the axles. If so, I might invest in something like it.

that trailer saver holds up the trailer by the axles, so your springs are still holding the weight. What's the point? Preventing flat spots on the tires? I like how it says it will prevent flat spots in the bearings and hubs as well. I have never seen that happen

That's why I stated it was interesting, but I wasn't endorsing it. With proper maintenance, I think axles seals, bearings, and the tires are not of concern.

HOWEVER, if the CROSSMEMBERS of the trailer were the lowest portion of the trailer, and NOT the axles, I could see great benefit of the product/idea.

Such would be a good reason for building a trailer with a couple taller (lower) crossmembers.

I used to haul big wrecking style dump trailers for a demo company. They built their own trailers. They had a very cool feature. Obviously semi trailer with air brakes/air suspension. Anyhow, the suspension was a triple axle air bag setup. The trailer had air valves on the side. You can raise any axle off the ground, by pushing a button. Want to raise the front of the 3 axles, push a button. Want to raise front two axles, push two buttons.

This was a nice feature, as I would often have to back a big wrecking trailer into tight alleys and what not. So, sometimes, I would raise the rear axles off the ground, which made it easier to get in/out of tight quarters. Obviously all 3 on the ground when going down the road loaded.

I think this would be cool on boat trailers. Air bag suspension, with the option to raise the axles. Sometimes backing up a triple axle boat trailer in a tight spot can be hard, but also tough on the axles from the twisting/jackknifing . Prob not something for the average boat, but at the cost of some of the big boy boat trailers, I think it be pretty cool. I know on semi trailers, it really isnt much more cost to opt for air ride suspension over spring suspension.

I've had torsion and spring axles and prefer torsion.