#2 trailer work

High Point, NC 1st, then maybe Gator Country!

Guess I need to pay attention to this thread, as I and Mr.Tim Morfoot will be on the way this Friday the 22nd to the BoatDr's to pick up a #2 CC Trailer for the 66 Skylark
Mr.Eric Clarke was gonna be my sidekick originally , but work calls, so we'll miss him Don't work too hard Eric while we're on the Mighty Mississippi





Chris-- check your e-mail

Gary, I was a little worried about the axle because the tops of the wheels seemed to be tilting in a little when the boat sits on the trailer.

My thought process was that I've come this far, have it all apart and a might as well put a new one on?

Both of the guides had serious bondo towards the bottoms and have since broken after a PO cheap fix. I'll have to take them down and fix. After having this happen, I see the axle covered in paint and begin to worry.

I'm going through this thing so I dont have to worry any more

storm34 wrote: I'm going through this thing so I dont have to worry any more

I hear you,thats why I want to do those changes too.My axle seems to look the same,wonder if they were made that way or it was overloaded.The PO of mine put coil overload springs on too,I'm guessing because of the worn out springs and wet foam

jbear....bout to winterize this weekend. I know you don't remember what that means since moving down south...but it means i'm envious and may have to come visit in feb when we are down for work!!

Gary, I'm going to get the opinion from the shop when I take it in to get welded. If they say its alright I'll try it and see how it does.

The way I understand it, the round axles can be bent to give them camber. This makes the tires bow slightly out. when the boat sits on it they are perfectly level. Square axles can't be bent. I'm sure most already know this but its fun to learn new stuff!

Gary, where do these bushings go? The axles I got from woody have spacers inside the ends and I didn't see the hat bushings on the old one. I'm guessing it's because they're completely shot?



hat bushing

You know Chris I did take the boat and trailer to the spring shop after he made up the springs to see what he thought.He added another leaf to the springs but never said anything about the axle.

I gotta call...don't have a spot yet. Me and Bill came down early saturday and left Sunday morning. Might come down friday if I can get Patti to give the ok. I'd kinda like her to come along.

john

The PO of our Classic replaced the axle on our #2 prior to us coming to get it. It had to be custom made due to its size. It fit well and trailer very well. He got it at Red Neck Trailers in North Carolina. He charged us for parts which was $425 including new tires.

65 'cuda wrote: Put the 3500 lb round one on it, with a little pre-load bent into it, better in every way.

Thats one option, but the other pieces (hubs, wheels, tires) that he'll be using will still only have a capacity in the 2000-2500 lb range- so a 3500 lb axle is a bit overkill and wont actually increase his load carrying ability.

As long as the axle is rated properly (the original was a 2000-2200 lb unit) then it shouldnt deflect. I put new round axles on my Skier trailers (2200 lb capacity) and they work great. I moved the original axle from my green boat onto my Tique trailer and that worked great too. No deflection, no issues.

Unless you want to go to 14" tires and upsize the hubs along with the axle, it doesnt make sense to start going crazy with capacity ratings. That was my original plan but when I investigated, I found that it simply was not worth it. 14" wheels and tires will not come close to fitting under your original fenders- you would need to go with something larger. The smallest 13" trailer tires available fit by about a finger width.

Like I said before, my #2 with new 2200 lb running gear has gone to GL and back twice without issue (1200 miles each way)... Im not sure how much more youre planning to stress your trailer than that, but it seems plenty capable to me.

I agree with Tim on the overkill issue. Going to see if I can track one down this evening, otherwise I may put the old one back on and see how it does. Such a relief to not have to worry about springs!

For $30 I guess its not a big deal. If the old spindles were bent, then its definitely best to replace the old.

Be careful with your wheel selection now though... the larger spindles may drive you to use larger hubs, and some 12-13" wheels may not fit. Just something to keep in mind! I am a little bummed you wont be keeping the 4 lugs though!

Id be surprised if you can get a 4-lug hub that fits a 3500 lb axle spindle, but who knows.

The closest I could find to the original steel wheels were the ones from Northern Tool. The bonus is that theyre cheap! They have both 4 lug and 5 lug.

Northern Tool 13"

[QUOTE=storm34] Gary, where do these bushings go? The axles I got from woody have spacers inside the ends and I didn't see the hat bushings on the old one. I'm guessing it's because they're completely shot?
QUOTE]

Here are the pictures Chris.These bushings would go in each spring eye,one on each side,but if the spring eyes already have a bushing already press in you'll be able to use them as long as the bolt size is the same

This is the spring hanger on the front of the axle,you can see on each side of the spring,the "rim" of the bushing.You may have to shim the bolt on the side of the springs if the new bushings that are already in the springs are narrower.



This next one is the rear. For sure you'll need the bushings at the top of the shackle,the ones on the trailer frame. This picture is better so you can see how they are in. If you need anymore let me know.

Thanks for the good picture Tim.Looks like I have alot of room to put the 13's on because my fenders are mounted on the guide uprights.

The "goofy" guides are so very well made that I wonder if they were part of the optional loading equiptment. Im going to ask Art his thoughts next time I see him.