second try - Harbor Freight axle over conversion

[motormike73]

sorry the pics were way too big, let me try again:


Anyone ever do this and is it safe? Trying to lower my trailer for easier loading/unloading. Here is my "before":


when relocating the axle though I had some issues with the center bolt and the axle not laying flush since its a square/channel axle and not round ie no perch.


i thought just flipping it (as pictured) so the centering hole could now go on the bolt on top as it did on the bottom side when mounted axle under. however i didnt know if having the square channel oriented this way would be an issue. its a straight axle, not cambered fwiw.



thoughts?

[oilslick]

motormike73 wrote:
tires are rated at 65mph

as for welding a perch, i assume its not TOO tough of a task to measure/center holes on the perch (where the spring center bolts would sit into)? that was my concern with how difficult it would be to get it centered...

I think it's a very simple job that you could easily do yourself if you can weld, if not then I'm sure most trailer shops could do it for you. The axle tube looks to be 2 inch so a couple pieces of 2 inch x1/4 flat stock with a hole drilled in each piece carefully measured in from the outside end and centered, then any welder could stick it on.

[MitchF150]

My little utility trailer (Lil' Tex) has the axle mounted like you want to do yours and it came that way. Mine is a round axle with the 5 lug hub, and the U bolts are what takes the weight! I'm running 12" tires too and I've loaded it with 2 yards of bark mulch on many occasions, 1 cord of wood, and lots of other stuff and it's now over 15 years old... 🙂 (I did get a new set of tires for it several years ago..).

Mitch

[motormike73]

tires are rated at 65mph

as for welding a perch, i assume its not TOO tough of a task to measure/center holes on the perch (where the spring center bolts would sit into)? that was my concern with how difficult it would be to get it centered...

[oilslick]

"Flipping" the axle is a common term but that's not how it's done. It refers to moving the springs from one side of the axle to the other (top to bottom or bottom to top)and usually the axle tube has a built in camber. If as you say yours is just straight then the only thing I can see being a problem is that the axle tube will fill with dirt and moisture causing it to rot through very quickly. I would just have a couple of plate/perch welded onto the bottom of the axle and keep the axle upright but hang the springs under.

[darsben]

But what is the maximum speed rating on those itty bitty tires.

[motormike73]

tires are 990# each....trailer is 1000#. i took the set up to a truck stop and the bike weighed 600#, trailer itself 275#.

[Executive45]

motormike73 wrote:
i went to 12 inch tires as well, and so have already raised the fenders substantially, so that too should be fine.

Best check the SPEED and WEIGHT ratings on those tiny tires....especially if you're loading a heavy bike....Dennis

[motormike73]

i went to 12 inch tires as well, and so have already raised the fenders substantially, so that too should be fine.

[motormike73]

i lengthened the tongue and its only lowering by a couple of inches, i dont think the end bottoming will be of concern. i am more worried about the axle being upside down, so to speak and if this will put undo stress on the u bolts.

i know a couple inches may not be a big deal, but its to carry a very long bike and so so the ramp i need currently is ridiculously long, so trying to do whatever i can to make loading/unloading easier.

[We_Cant_Wait]

lowering the trl that much might also cause issues with the tire rubbing up in the wheel well every time you hit a bump when the suspension is compressed.

[Dannyabear1]

The rear of the trailer will now drag on every bump you cross; better to just get ramps