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Adding a 3rd axle

Trxracing
Explorer
Explorer
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 24

Wild_Card
Explorer
Explorer
After seeing it hooked to truck...add 3rd axel. At 1st I was thinking move them back but really 3rd axel
2015 Ram 3500 Dually
Sundowner 2286GM Pro-Grade Toyhauler

Trxracing
Explorer
Explorer
fj12ryder wrote:
Was the picture hooked to the truck the "After" picture? If so it looks really nice.

You're definitely a lot more ambitious than I. That just looks like a ton of work.


Yes it's the finished picture. I was walking out to it from the restaurant when I took that picture and was thinking look how centered the axles are no wonder it sways with a 4 seater side by side in the back. That's how he topic started about adding a 3rd axle.
Since then I've decided to make it a gooseneck with high regrets I didn't turn it into a 5th wheel when I had it tore apart this past winter.
I'm burned out I won't lie I'm going to try and run it through the summer and convert it to a gooseneck this fall/winter. I'll start a post for it for those who are interested.

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
Was the picture hooked to the truck the "After" picture? If so it looks really nice.

You're definitely a lot more ambitious than I. That just looks like a ton of work.
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

Trxracing
Explorer
Explorer
dedmiston wrote:
Wow. That's quite a project. I'm impressed.

What's your "day job"?


Thanks, Im a collision technician for BMW.
the one photo where it looks like a tornado went through it is when i was thinking omg what did i get myself into but when you tear into one its amazing how there build the structure is 1"x 1-1/2" you can buy premade at lowes and the outside is 5mm luan which is basically a floor underlayment.
The outside fiberglass comes in a roll to whatever dimensions you want and sand the backside and glue it to the luan with PL400 You have to get creative here and there but that seams to be that way from factory. I threw a seam above the door and the slide out to get away from having to bond the fiberglass together using a camper molding. Im very happy with how it turned out. some people may think im crazy but the insurance company totalled it and i bought it back for 1000$ i have under 2000 in the entire camper and my labor somewhere around 50 hours in it.

dedmiston
Moderator
Moderator
Wow. That's quite a project. I'm impressed.

What's your "day job"?

2014 RAM 3500 Diesel 4x4 Dually long bed. B&W RVK3600 hitch • 2015 Crossroads Elevation Homestead Toy Hauler ("The Taj Mahauler") • <\br >Toys:

  • 18 Can Am Maverick x3
  • 05 Yamaha WR450
  • 07 Honda CRF250X
  • 05 Honda CRF230
  • 06 Honda CRF230

Trxracing
Explorer
Explorer

Trxracing
Explorer
Explorer



Trxracing
Explorer
Explorer


Y-Guy
Moderator
Moderator
FYI we're adults here, everyone need to play nice in the sandbox. While teasing is one thing over the top rude comments are not.

Two Wire Fox Terriers; Sarge & Sully

2007 Winnebago Sightseer 35J

2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

Y-Guy
Moderator
Moderator
Trxracing wrote:
I would post up some photos if someone would tell me how.


A fast and easy way to include a photo in a forum post. Just drag-n-drop a photo, and copy-n-paste the image link in your message post. Automatically resizes photos to the max recommended by the Open Roads Forum. Includes a thumbnail preview, and also provides an optional link to permanently delete the photo. The WebApp is available at http://photoposting.is-great.net (Updated 10/03/2016).

If you need more help with posting photos please visit the RV.Net Tutorials and Picture related FAQ's

Two Wire Fox Terriers; Sarge & Sully

2007 Winnebago Sightseer 35J

2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

Trxracing
Explorer
Explorer
This post is about adding a 3rd axle to a toyhauler. Due to it being a travel trailer and the extra weight in the back it has no tongue weight causing it to sway even with load bars. So if I convert the front over to gooseneck design the added weight of the neck should be more than enough to fix the problem. It may not necessarily need a 3rd axle.
Thanks for the replies

Trxracing
Explorer
Explorer
SpeakEasy wrote:
Sprink-Fitter wrote:
Tyler0215 wrote:
If you cut 8" off the front you took all that weight off the tongue.


I doubt 8 inches would make a difference.


The OP said he cut 8 FEET off the front. I wonder whether it's 8 feet or 8 inches. Might matter.

-Speak

Misunderstanding we took the first 8 feet off and rebuilt it due to water damage is the reason I'm stuck with it and going to do some alterations to improve it.

SpeakEasy
Explorer
Explorer
Sprink-Fitter wrote:
Tyler0215 wrote:
If you cut 8" off the front you took all that weight off the tongue.


I doubt 8 inches would make a difference.


The OP said he cut 8 FEET off the front. I wonder whether it's 8 feet or 8 inches. Might matter.

-Speak
It's just Mrs. SpeakEasy and me now (empty-nesters). But we can choose from among 7 grandchildren to drag along with us!



2014 F-150 Super Crew Short Bed 3.5L Ecoboost
2014 Flagstaff Micro Lite 23LB

Dirtclods
Explorer
Explorer
Trxracing I think it's awesome to think outside that box let us see some photo's of your rig as you work on it.
AAA Motorcycle RV Plus