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

carringb
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015
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.
Strabo
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015
I figure the ramp or inside floor will fail first, regardless of a third axle.
We_Cant_Wait
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015
GREAT WAY to bend a frame adding an axle beyond what the units currently capable of handling.
joebedford
Nomad II
Nov 21, 2015
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.
msgtord
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015
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?
toytacoma8
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015
My hope is that everything else is the same as the triple axles cousins. My I-beam frame is 8 inches tall, not sure about the others. If so then the frame should be fine I would think.

The floor is flat inside so no wheels wells to worry about. The ramp is rated at 2500 lbs so as long as only one axle at a time is on it I think that would be ok too. Floor is a concern though... And Tie Downs, although they have a metal backing plate under the floor so they are stronger than the ones I have seen on alot of trailers.
We_Cant_Wait
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015
It only has an 8" I-Beam frame??? Well it's you unit to do with as you want I guess.
joebedford
Nomad II
Nov 21, 2015
Have you actually looked underneath to see what you'd have to cut out to add the 3rd axle. On my tandem, it would have been a lot.
toytacoma8
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015
We Cant Wait wrote:
It only has an 8" I-Beam frame??? Well it's you unit to do with as you want I guess.

That's not helpful. I started this thread to get advice and learn if this would be possible. I don't know much about trailer frames so if there is something you could add that would help I would love to hear it.
toytacoma8
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015
joebedford wrote:
Have you actually looked underneath to see what you'd have to cut out to add the 3rd axle. On my tandem, it would have been a lot.

It looks like the current hangers are welded to the bottom of the frame and I wouldn't have to cut much. Would probably have to remove the gas tank to do the welding and put it back after.
Would have to cut some of the lower side skirt and add a triple axle fender flare.

Thanks for all the ideas and keep em coming. This will probably not happen but its fun to talk about and I'm sure other people will be curious as well. Couldn't find much when I searched.

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