Adding 3rd axle

[toytacoma8]

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?

[joebedford]

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.

[We_Cant_Wait]

It only has an 8" I-Beam frame??? Well it's you unit to do with as you want I guess.

[toytacoma8]

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.

[msgtord]

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?

[joebedford]

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.

[We_Cant_Wait]

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

[Strabo]

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

[carringb]

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.