start fresh or tweak it

[frumpy]

I want to have an offroad utility trailer to carry some extra gear (fire wood, cooler, propane, camping "stuff" etc) as well as a canoe. The most trails it will see are easy dirt/fire roads.

I am trying to decide if it would be better off to tweak the utility trailer I have now or start fresh and build one from scratch. I just bought a 220 mig welder so once it gets warm out I have the means to do it. I found an axle on sale for $75 thats rated for 2200lbs and I already have some 225/75/15 mud tires on jeep rims.

I could probably sell the utility trailer to fund the project but a simple axle swap could provide what I need.

Heres what I have

 

[pete.wilson]

Hey

I would start fresh and then build it how you want. Modifying something always seems like a trade-off between what's there and what you really want in the end. If you didn't need your trailer, I would sell it and fund a fresh build since your trailer looks a little on the lite side and may require beefing up anyways, IMHO.

Pete Wilson

 

[Martyn]

Go with a 3500 lb axle, the bearings are considerably larger than the 2200 lb. In the long run you'll be much happier with the larger bearings.

 

[805gregg]

I bought a cheap PWC (Zieman) trailer to modify to carry my 2 kayaks on 1 side and my DL1000 on the other. I noticed that the tongue was tweaked, I'll replace the tongue, then I needed to extend the rear for the long Hobies. Ok, well, I ended up building a completely new trailer, I reused the axle, wheels and new tires, and fenders that's it. I will use the original plates but the lights are toast. Learn from me start out with a clean slate.

 

[frumpy]

Go with a 3500 lb axle, the bearings are considerably larger than the 2200 lb. In the long run you'll be much happier with the larger bearings.

I think the 2200lbs will work fine as I can't see this trailer being loaded with more than 500lbs and with the larger tires the hubs wont be rotating as fast. Plus, $75 bucks for the scratch and dent sale on this one or a 3500lbs axle for $200+

 

[JeepN95YJ]

I think the 2200lbs will work fine as I can't see this trailer being loaded with more than 500lbs and with the larger tires the hubs wont be rotating as fast. Plus, $75 bucks for the scratch and dent sale on this one or a 3500lbs axle for $200+

Without trying to sound like a jerk, I encourage you to reconsider. Larger tires will be one of your problems, not a solution.

I have personally witnessed a 2200lb axle on a 600lb max weight trailer (all new parts) fail at the spindle (spindle bent) while driving on maintained gravel roads with light washboard.

A 3500lb axle solved the problem. The owner ended up buying TWO brand new axles instead of one.

As to your original post, could you post pics of the underside structure of your existing trailer? Very difficult to offer pertinent advice without knowing how well built ...or not... your current trailer is.

 

[Root Moose]

Bt/dt - start fresh. In the end working around old junk ends up being more of a PITA than it is worth IME.