Probably a dumb idea but its wintertime and I am bored.I have a 2006 Victory Lane 32 ft 5th wheel Toy Hauler. Its listed a little under 8k dry and 12 GVW (CCC of 4420lbs). We just bought a Jeep Wrangler (TJ) and the thought of being able to haul it is tempting.I havent weighed the Jeep yet but I hear it should be about 4k ready to drive.My trailer is an open floor plan without a seperate garage. I was wondering if anyone has added a 3rd axle for extra weight. If my frame is the same as the other Victory Lane, they all have 3 axles and GVW of 15k....Part of the problem on mine is that the axles are already toward the rear...Your thoughts?

Does it have wheel wells? If yes, first thing is to make sure the jeep will fit between. If no, then you'll need to include all new drive-on wheel wells as part of your plan. Otherwise, the only real downside is the 3rd axle will increase pin weight when the jeep is not in there. And you'll need to match the brakes exactly (brand, model, and size) to prevent having the new axle under or over brake relative to existing.

I figure the ramp or inside floor will fail first, regardless of a third axle.

GREAT WAY to bend a frame adding an axle beyond what the units currently capable of handling.

I looked seriously at adding a third axle to my 2004 Victory Lane 35SRV (39 feet) just to carry two heavy motorcycles. It was a tandem axle like yours. Then I discovered that the walls weren't square to the floor anymore. I now have a Voltage 3950 tri-axle.

I wouldn't be surprised if you found out everything about the trailer is exactly the same as the three axle, minus the third axle. The only question I have is the difference in axle rating. Does the three axle have heavier duty springs?

Adding 3rd axle | Good Sam Community

noteven
Explorer III
Nov 21, 2015
Spreading the axle load to 8 points on the frame rails should reduce vertical stress on the frame.

Consider cross bracing the frame side to side - maybe with a big X or 2 to help with side loads as the axles skid in tight corners.
tinner12002
Explorer
Nov 22, 2015
Have you thought of just flat towing behind your toy hauler? You would obviously have to have a hitch welded in with some added cross bracing but that might be an easier/cheaper/safer alternative.
toytacoma8
Explorer
Nov 22, 2015
tinner12002 wrote:
Have you thought of just flat towing behind your toy hauler? You would obviously have to have a hitch welded in with some added cross bracing but that might be an easier/cheaper/safer alternative.

That would be interesting especially since I already have a hitch on the back for some reason. Not legal here in WA though.
rekoj71
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
I met a guy who did, but he didn't relocate the existing axles, just added one behind it. He did say it added quite a bit to his pin weight, like was mentioned might happen. He didn't really like the result, but I don't think he was trying to add that much weight to the back of his trailer either.
Crazy_Cooter
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
I did mine and it was a fairly large project. About a month of prep with building the new axle, welding hangers onto a new subframe, shock mounts, etc. All of my axle had to be relocated for fit and to keep hitch weight correct.

Look at Icon Direct for triple fenders.
toytacoma8
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Yea I think part of what might make it not cost effective is having to relocate the other axles. Plus I can only go forward with them about 6 inches before hitting my steps.
Crazy_Cooter
Explorer
Nov 24, 2015
Hangers are cheap. If you have 6" to play with and you could shorten to 33" axle spacing to gain a few more. That is what I did. Think I ended up with 7" longer wheelbase.
TRIPLE8
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
Crazy Cooter wrote:
I did mine and it was a fairly large project. About a month of prep with building the new axle, welding hangers onto a new subframe, shock mounts, etc. All of my axle had to be relocated for fit and to keep hitch weight correct.

Look at Icon Direct for triple fenders.
Hi, I had Limpert add the 3rd axle to my Stellar. They did everything to mine as you did to yours. The 1st axle did not move, only the 2nd was moved. With the Stellar it is the same frame as its bigger counterpart with 3 axles. I also found the fender flares through Icon. I don't worry about loading my Samurai in there anymore. Total cost with tires and wheels was about $2100. If you have the room, I say go for it.
toytacoma8
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
Do you have a picture of the stellar? My wife and I really liked those but weren't in a situation to have payments. Mines a similar layout to the 32 ft stellar we liked. 2100 would be worth it if I find out my frame is also the same as the bigger ones.
TRIPLE8
Explorer
Nov 29, 2015
toytacoma8 wrote:
Do you have a picture of the stellar? My wife and I really liked those but weren't in a situation to have payments. Mines a similar layout to the 32 ft stellar we liked. 2100 would be worth it if I find out my frame is also the same as the bigger ones.
Hi, I'm sorry but I do not have pics at this time. Trailer is in storage so when I get the chance ill get some.

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