Another Trailer Question...

[gary_in_neenah]

I thought I'd throw this out there for some opinions. I just finished up the Post Season maintenance on the machine and trailer and am wondering about my trailer's condition. Here's my concern, I bought an Aluminum Triton trailer nine years ago. I call it the "Joe Six Pack" trailer because they're very common, tilt bed, torsion springs, open with Salt Shield, there must be a million of them on the roads. Over the years it's been flawless, I replaced a tail light and both tires for routine maintenance but otherwise it's been a great little trailer. My only concern is the axle, it's deeply corroded being steel and from being in a harsh environment. I seem to recall a thread on here about someone losing a wheel or axle in traffic which would ruin your day if not your entire trip. There's not many miles on the trailer, I'm guessing under 10,000 and deck, frame, wiring, all are in good condition. Your thoughts?

Replace the axle, replace the whole trailer, or forgetaboutit, bad things only happen to other people.

Thanks!

Gary

 

[skeeter2010]

The torison axle is a very thick wall steel tube if your really concerned about it wash it scrape it and give it a coat of paint with a brush good and thick. The area to be concern about is where the axle meets the aluminum frame thats where they tend to rot out not the steel the aluminum. I would also consider redoing the wheel bearings, if you have not ever repacked them. Other then that keep on useing it, Its money in the bank

 

[ezra]

well just a few weeks ago we were in da UP just a few mim north of twin lk on our way to Houghton.
I look in the mirror did a second and 3rd take freak out pull over.
my Triton 12 ft clam was kind of sideways.
upon quick inspection the left side of the axel was back about a foot the tire rubbing on the frame.
we kicked it as far forward as we could and started the slow drive with the flashers on to Houghton.
finally after a nerve wracking 20mph drive we got to tractor supply .
jacked op trailer got some 7 in grade 8 bolts and nuts had it fixed in 20 min .
well now next fall I am going to replace the other side and get what ever membrane goes between the alloy frame and steel Axel .
because I have a bud who had a fixed a Axel on a sled trailer yrs back did not put the black rubbery membrane back and a few yrs latter the alloy just under the axle rotted out and axel went up in to the frame.
so yes at min now my maintenance schedule is going to include checking axle bolts and my travel kit has 4 /7in 1/2 bolts and nuts.
I am also debating selling the 12 ft clam and buying a new 12ft clam with the big door in the fr in the fall .
I know I could get many more yrs out of my trailer but I also know I can deduct a new 12 ft trailer.
deff my fav all around trailer

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Yup, I've read about the membrane between the steel and aluminum and the frame in that location is good as new. Just the steel brackets and axle that have corroded. I have Bearing Buddies on the wheels so there's no concern there. Maybe I'm over-thinking this as I assumed the axle itself is of thick stock. Just wondering if anyone has had fails in this area.

 

[ezra]

no but deff check the bolts holding axle to frame now and again

 

[polarismike]

This is some good info. I have the same rusty axle on my 2006 Triton clam. I was looking at those axle bolts last year when I was doing wheel bearings and seals. Was thinking at the very least take the nuts off and put some anti-seize on everything. Hard to keep the salt out of everything.

 

[elf]

Your axle will be fine, takes a lot to corrode that. But as others have said, a steel/aluminum joint, dis-similiar metals, will corrode very quickly. Had to replace an axle on my trailer a couple yrs ago due to a bent spindle (hit a rock)and the joint between the axle and trailer frame was in rough shape. The rubber gasket was gone so I covered the axle mount with several layers of duct tape to create a barrier between the steel/aluminum when I put it back together. Then sold the trailer the next yr!

 

[maddogg]

As other have said, just do a bolt check. For me, I'm anal. Every 2 years I wire wheel mine, paint it black again and then hit the whole thing with spray grease. Really not needed though.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I thought I'd throw this out there for some opinions. I just finished up the Post Season maintenance on the machine and trailer and am wondering about my trailer's condition. Here's my concern, I bought an Aluminum Triton trailer nine years ago. I call it the "Joe Six Pack" trailer because they're very common, tilt bed, torsion springs, open with Salt Shield, there must be a million of them on the roads. Over the years it's been flawless, I replaced a tail light and both tires for routine maintenance but otherwise it's been a great little trailer. My only concern is the axle, it's deeply corroded being steel and from being in a harsh environment. I seem to recall a thread on here about someone losing a wheel or axle in traffic which would ruin your day if not your entire trip. There's not many miles on the trailer, I'm guessing under 10,000 and deck, frame, wiring, all are in good condition. Your thoughts?

Replace the axle, replace the whole trailer, or forgetaboutit, bad things only happen to other people.

Thanks!

Gary

I've replaced axle assemblies on a few

DEXTER and others sell these, direct bolt-in approx $ 250

BIG RIVERS located in WEST BEND Wisconsin has the axles in stock

Secured to frame with (4) 1/2" diameter bolts, takes approx 2 hours or so

Just TORCH/CUT OFF THE OLD BOLTS, REPLACE WITH NEW and you're good to go

 

[rp7x]

450$ with brakes

 

[indy_500]

Por-15 bad things only happen to other people I coat my entire axle in wd-40 or something similar every year and on my older ones I always painted them. My brand new trailer got destroyed this year. So did my truck...

 

[xcr440]

Where the metal meets the aluminum, as others have said, is the biggest concern outside of bearings. I welded "ears", or extended the metal on my axle mounts, drilled additional holes, so I could put four more bolts in there a couple years back as added security. The aluminum was corroding pretty badly on the originals.