Wells Cargo Back Trailer Axle fell off?
- Thread starter helhuf
- Start date
Had similar episode on four place steel trailer near escanaba. Subassembly that welded axles to frame rusted from salt spray near wheels. Took off front axle and replaced subassembly frame member and re-attached front axle and new rear axle. Work done in shop in marquette. Later bought all aluminum trailer. Worth extra cost in my opinion.
Glad no-one was hurt. I was lucky it happened on a remote road rather than the express ways in chicago where I was living.
Glad no-one was hurt. I was lucky it happened on a remote road rather than the express ways in chicago where I was living.
Check your aluminum trailers too. I have a Triton 4 place. I was repacking the bearings and noticed the axles were loose and moving around on the frame. Sure enough where the steel axle pads mount to the aluminum frame the aluminum corroded so I have 4 holes 2 x 7 inches. Making 2 c channels to cap the frame with out of 3/16 steel and then rebolt the axles on. I know the new c channel will eventually rot the aluminum too but by then the trailer will be another 17 yrs. old.
Oh yeah,rust big prob here in the rust belt. I have a 28' wells cargo enclosed dual axle hidden beavertail 2 yrs ago started having probs with the door/ramp, last run last yr the whole beavertail cracked the frame right @ the wheel wells. I have had 3 welders look at it & they all said the same thing...Scrap it! Amazingly enough the plywood floors in it are still good. Now I ask you how does plywood last longer than steel? Or should i say CHEAP steel? The trick is to take the trailers out during a good old down pour & hit as many puddles as possible to rinse the salt off. So if anyone is looking for a welding project I have one for sale 28' wells cargo race trailer, has the external flood lights (2) has 6 flourescent lights in trailer & set up for a propane heater, cabinets, helmet holders, acc. holders. Right now it's a yard ornament.
heckler56
Active member
It appears one aluminum weld failed and the other side of the axle ripped through its plate. All bolts remained unscathed.
Helhuf - I am so glad I got in front of you guys on the way home or all the people on this site would be mourning the loss of Heckler ;p Besides, its those heavy, heavy Yamahas that took thier toll on the trailer
Helhuf - I am so glad I got in front of you guys on the way home or all the people on this site would be mourning the loss of Heckler ;p Besides, its those heavy, heavy Yamahas that took thier toll on the trailer
I don't know where you live but unless the whole trailer is scrap I would be hardpressed to believe it isn't fixable. If you are handy remove everything you can remove to keep the cost down...maybe look into a local school and see if they have a welding shop that would like to take on a project like that..
Well, I'm glad you posted this. Pulled out the trailer today to prep for the trip to Ishpeming Wednesday. ('05 Triton XT). I gave the axle and frame a good look after reading your post. Sure enough, both frame rails have big cracks at the rear mounting point of the axle. It was fine when I gave it the once over in the spring so it must have happened during our trip over the holidays. 900 miles each way but I bet it happened on the super rough ice/snow covered roads between Bloomington, IL and Shelbyville, IN on the way home Jan 7th. It took us 9 hous to cover that stretch and it must have been too much for the trailer. I'm traveling for work on Monday and Tuesday so I guess I'll have to get a uhaul and leave the spare sled at home.
It sucks but I'm sure glad I found it now and not the hard way! Check those trailers everybody!
It sucks but I'm sure glad I found it now and not the hard way! Check those trailers everybody!
Got the answer today, that the trailer was finished! Adams in McHenry called and said everything was covered 100% and they were done! Yaahhoooo....That was nice of Adams to take care of everything with Wells Cargo without involving (Bill). Now we can go on trip # 2 Munising here we come