Forum Discussion

Trxracing's avatar
Trxracing
Explorer
May 07, 2017

Adding a 3rd axle

I have a 32" travel trailer toy hauler I haul a 4 seater rzr in the back, fuel station and 2 fresh water tanks all basically behind the axles, are first trip the thing about rolled over so I bought the Reese load bars for it and it got 80% better but on the way to the destination it's all over the lane hard to keep between the lines. On the way home I drain the water and it's about 90% but you still need a two hand grip on the steering wheel.
Now I'm not trading it in on a fifth wheel because it's paid for I'll add a 3rd axle and make it fifth wheel before I do that. Don't tell me it can't be done I'm a very skilled fabricator. I cut the first 8' off the front last year and rebuilt everything I would post up some photos if someone would tell me how. Now would I be better putting the 3rd axle behind the 2 or in front. I'm thinking behind but the two now are 2' off center to the rear and I would think with the 3rd axle behind them it would be a lot of tongue weight. Lastly I'll probably be converting it to a gooseneck this summer so it will track better. My total weight truck and trailer is in the ballpark of 25,000+ that's a lot to spread out over 4 axles.

24 Replies

  • If you cut 8" off the front you took all that weight off the tongue.
  • I remember reading about a guy who had added a 3rd axle to his 5th wheel, so it can be done. It looked pretty normal when he was done.

    I would think the axle behind the other two would be the way to go. That would help support the weight of the load behind the axles. It would be good to know what you meant when you said "I cut the first 8' off the front last year and rebuilt everything". Were you repairing the unit or remodeling?

    And yeah, you really need to get it weighed so you know what the numbers are.
  • You need to get it on the scales and see where the weight actually is.

    Your problems could be too little OR too much tongue weight. Too little and the back of the trailer is wagging the truck. Too much and it is making the front end of the truck too light causing lack of control. (The more probable synario is too little tongue weight)

    Once you know (for sure) where the excess weight is put the axle on that side of the others.
  • It's all over the road because you don't have enough tongue weight, so add the axle behind the other two. My guess is you are going to kill the resale value of camper though.