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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Shortening a trailer axle

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Phil Crome

10-05-2005 14:33:50




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I have scrounged a good pair of 6-bolt trailer axles , sprung not torsion. I've had them around for a while and have a trailer that needs new axles. Problem is, the axles are 12 inches longer than they need to be. Anybody ever shortened axles? Can it be done? Advice, things to avoid?

I'm not scared of doing precise, careful work and any welding needed is no problem.

Regards,
Phil Crome




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Keith-OR

10-07-2005 10:45:43




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
Phill, I sent you an email...return email and I will explain on tubing axels...Keith



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jfp

10-06-2005 06:15:57




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
Do the idea OLD gave you. It will be safer and stronger.



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Coloken

10-05-2005 19:31:35




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 my mistake in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
My old brain did it again...I said caster when I ment camber. And yes, a little toe in won't hurt on a trailer axle.



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Johnski

10-05-2005 19:18:40




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
I would cut and weld the center using a long piece of angle to clamp it straight front to rear. If your a good welder then a half-lap with the lap about twice the diameter is the way to go. If your not comfortable with that then use the pipe method. A little positive camber is good but you want zero tow on a non steering axle and there is no such thing as caster on a trailer axle.I'm not trying to be anal about it but just trying to give you less to be worried about.Caster is the degree of tilt of an imaginary line through the center of the upper and lower pivot points(ball joints) of the spindle on a steering axle. ;>) JF

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Johnski

10-05-2005 19:16:23




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
I would cut and weld the center using a long piece of angle to clamp it straight front to rear. If your a good welder then a half-lap with the lap about twice the diameter is the way to go. If your not comfortable with that then use the pipe method. A little positive camber is good but you want zero tow on a non steering axle and there is no such thing as caster on a trailer axle.I"m not trying to be anal about it but just trying to give you less to be worried about. Caster is the degree of tilt of an imaginary line
through the center of the upper and lower pivot points(ball joints) of the spindle. ;>) JF

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Keith-OR

10-05-2005 18:34:16




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
Phil, need more info on axel or axels you are wanting to shorten. 1. Type ?? A. sraight axel B. Dropped
2. Round tubing or solid square axel
each require different method of shortening.
Keith



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Phil Crome

10-06-2005 19:42:17




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Keith-OR, 10-05-2005 18:34:16  
They are dropped, round tube axles currently on a livestock trailer, going to go on another livestock trailer.

Regards,

Phil Crome



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Missouri Boy

10-05-2005 17:46:13




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
If you are even a poor welder you may just butt the ends together in the center and weld them. The center of the axle carries very little of the load. No reinforcements are needed. Only concern needs to be getting proper alignment. 0" toe in and just a bit of camber



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Keith-OR

10-05-2005 18:24:49




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Missouri Boy, 10-05-2005 17:46:13  
M.B., sure wouldn't want you to be narrowing any axels for me. Just take a 1/4 rod 12 inches long place it where it is supported 1 inch from each end then push down on the ends and see how much the center flexes up.. I've had to go get and repair too many trailers that somone butt welded without re-inforcement. Couple individual was really lucky could have killed someone when axel broke going down the freeway!!! PS I usually don't respond to this type of thread, but when someone can get seriously injuryed had to put in my two cents..No offense..Keith

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old

10-05-2005 16:58:36




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
Last one I did was a pipe type. I cut it in the center and then slid a pipe over the axle and welded it at the cut then slid the other pipe over the weld and welded it at both ends. That way the center is doubled and a lot stronger



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Vern-MI

10-06-2005 06:21:31




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to old, 10-05-2005 16:58:36  
Did the same pipe splice for a logsplitter axle since I had one available and free tires to go with it. I didn't quite get the spring pads lined up and parallel so watch out for that. Those tires were way over rated for what I used them for. I think I could have run 5 PSI and had no trouble.



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Ken Crisman

10-05-2005 17:57:36




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to old, 10-05-2005 16:58:36  
I agree with this guy on sliding a piece of pipe over each cut end of the axle & welding it solid . Makes a nice looking & safer axle . I even had a cop who pulled me over for an inspection of the trailer ; compliment me on the axle appearance . Better to be safe than sorry down the road . Ken



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Bus Driver

10-05-2005 16:19:37




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
Doing the sectioning in the middle is absolutely the way to go. One good way is to do a "half-lap". Cut the axle in the middle, then cut away half the pipe for the required distance on each piece. Lap the two and weld. Gives lots of weld bead and no complete butt joints.



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Slowpoke

10-07-2005 01:22:47




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Bus Driver, 10-05-2005 16:19:37  
Any advice regarding lengthening axles?



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Keith-OR

10-07-2005 10:43:39




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Slowpoke, 10-07-2005 01:22:47  
Slowpoke email me. lengthening is simular to shortening. Method depends on type of axel, round tube, or solid square, and whether or not you are dealing with dropped axel...Keith



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Coloken

10-05-2005 15:46:57




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Phil Crome, 10-05-2005 14:33:50  
Yep. Did it about 30 years ago when I had more time than money. Even put a drop in them with channel iron.There still hauling cattle. Cut them and set them up on concrete flor square with a carpenter square on the rims. Upside down so I welded the bottom first (tacked). This gave me the camber I wanted. Got lucky and they came out great. Make the cut in the middle and if you don't trust your weld, you can all ways reinforce it.
Kennyp

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Coloken

10-05-2005 15:51:10




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 Re: Shortening a trailer axle in reply to Coloken, 10-05-2005 15:46:57  
If you are just shorting them, I would cut and clamp them in a straight piece of angle iron. Weld on the bottom first, and maybe a little on the front, for caster and toe-in.
Kenny.....



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