1/2 ton workshop trailer axle - solid or hollow?

[towe0609]

ozrob in his post here (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/trailers-vans-campers/224877-rooftop-tent-top-frame-box-trailer-questions.html#post2417483) indicates his axle was hollow.

I made arrangements with my local mechanic to extend my axle for me to match the defender track width. He drilled a 7-8mm hole in it and thinks its probably a solid axle. It certainyl feels solid based on its weight, but if the walls of the tube are really thick it will have a bit of weight anyway.

I don't really want to keep drilling - can anyone confirm whether all of the axles of 1/2 ton trailers are hollow? Anyone know what the thickness of the tube is? ie. do I need to keep drilling?

The axle is 48mm think - could you sleeve it with 48mm ID tube? Would that have the necessary strength?

[stealth]

I've made quite a few different size trailer axles by chopping out diff centres and sleeping pipe over the ends and welding them together. You would have no trouble with extending yours. A piece of 50 mm NB pipe with extra heavy wall of 5.4 mm would fit nicely. Weld around the ends and drill and plug weld where the cuts are made.

[weeds]

My suggestion would be knocking up a new one out of solid square with flanges on either end, this way you can fit defender stubs......than you can fit defender hubs and if you are really keen fit defender calipers and have electric over hydraulic brakes.......but brakes could be an over kill for a 1/2 Ton. I have this axel set up on my camper trailer.

This way you have you old axle if you want to return it to original.

Are you extending the mud guards to accept the wider track?? If so I'm guessing it won't be returned to original.

[weeds]

How deep have you drilled??

[towe0609]

How deep have you drilled??

Sorry - should have been clearer - hole is 7-8mm deep

[weeds]

Sorry - should have been clearer - hole is 7-8mm deep


That would make it very thick walled tube.

[Mick_Marsh]

I doubt they would be solid. The axle of he 1 ton is hollow. It must be. I can lift it.
I have seen a few 1 ton trailers that the owners have replaced the axles with new commercially available axles. I reckon that is the way to go.

What are the legalities of running spacers on trailer hubs? Have you looked at adjusting the track width from that perspective?

[bee utey]

If the axle is one piece from end to end it's more likely to be machined with the bearing stubs from solid. If the stub axles have been welded on it will be more likely to be hollow. If it were actually machined in one piece from hollow bar it would be visible under the bearing cap.

[Aaron IIA]

What are the legalities of running spacers on trailer hubs? Have you looked at adjusting the track width from that perspective?

I don't know if it is legal, but that is what the army did when they fitted Land Rover wheels to Jeep trailers.

Aaron

[Corgie Carrier]

My No 4 trailer has spacers to change the wheel studs to Land rover from jeep.

[towe0609]

I'm not really sure what to look for....


If the axle is one piece from end to end it's more likely to be machined with the bearing stubs from solid. If the stub axles have been welded on it will be more likely to be hollow. If it were actually machined in one piece from hollow bar it would be visible under the bearing cap.

It looks possible its machined from 1 solid piece ...

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102425&stc=1&d=1448703528

There is a dust cover

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102427&d=1448703528

Once removed its easier to see that there appears to be a collar which is welded on the back edge

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102432&stc=1&d=1448704679

you can see the unwelded edge here

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102433&stc=1&d=1448705042

So maybe it is solid. That collar is the only point where the diameter is larger than 48mm - the diameter of the axle.

However, there is also a weld on the end of the axle which doesn't make sense to me if it was solid ... would that be a smooth finish?

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=102426&d=1448703528

Thanks Mick for the spacer idea - its a good suggestion, especially since it means no need to change the spring/shocker mounts. It gets me less than half way to the Defender track width - but it will be enough clearance from the arches of the 130 tub which will be mounted to this trailer.

I picked up a 700mm long piece of 50mm pipe with a 5.4mm wall at my local steel merchant today, and also picked up some fish plates (the ones welded to the axle cannot be cut off cleanly and reused when the axle is extended) - so both options still live!

[towe0609]

If these really are 45mm (picture shows 30mm, heading says 45mm), and the studs are M16 (not m12 as indicated), these might be just the ticket for me.

2 Wheel Spacer Adapter Landrover Defender Discovery Spacers 5x165 1 5x6 5 45mm | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-Wheel-Spacer-Adapter-LandRover-Defender-Discovery-Spacers-5x165-1-5x6-5-45mm-/281823715531?hash=item419e00a0cb:g:7ucAAOSwyQtVvx6 M)

[bee utey]

The welds inside each axle end suggest a hollow axle with a solid plug inserted in each end. No idea how deep the plug is, you'll be able to find out if you cut the axle in half. :)

[ozrob]

Towe0609
How did you get on?
Your axle looks the same as mine, 48mm diameter hollow center 20 mm.
If the axle was solid then they would not have welded a plug in the end.

[towe0609]

Towe0609
How did you get on?
Your axle looks the same as mine, 48mm diameter hollow center 20 mm.
If the axle was solid then they would not have welded a plug in the end.

Yes, I'm convinced it is hollow ... but for now I've decided not to cut the axle to avoid then needing to move the spring/shocker mounts. I've ordered some spacers to get enough clearance in the tub wheel arches - will see how we go.

My next challenge is finding some replacement shock absorbers. Any tips? I want to keep the costs down now - its getting a bit out of hand.

[87County]

.......
My next challenge is finding some replacement shock absorbers. Any tips? I want to keep the costs down now - its getting a bit out of hand.

1940s mil mb Jeep shocks I'm told, but check ( or maybe somebody will confirm).

BTW, is there really a problem with the shocks ? ( I haven't read this whole thread) - you may just need new bushes (readily available & cheap).

[towe0609]

is there really a problem with the shocks ? - you may just need new bushes (readily available & cheap).

Not sure this is a reasonable test, but both shocks show a lot of resistance when 'expanding', but less resistance when 'compressing', one shows very little resistance at all when compressing.

[87County]

Depending on the use you have planned for the trailer, I would be tempted to use the existing shocks with new bushes. After all, when this chassis is used for a No.5 trailer, there are generally no shocks at all. In fact you could leave them off and just have a normal trailer suspension.

Really depends on whether it is a collector's item or for some practical use ��.

[weeds]

Are shocks on a workshop standard?? Buggered if I ever took notice.

Either way from memory the springs on a 1/2 are super stiff.....

I don't run shocks on my camper trailer at 1.2T

[towe0609]

Trailer definitely for functional use, not a show piece. Will end up with a 130 tub on the chassis.

I understand shocks were standard on the workshop trailers.

[87County]

Trailer definitely for functional use, not a show piece. Will end up with a 130 tub on the chassis.

I understand shocks were standard on the workshop trailers.

All workshops I have seen do have them - no doubt a feature to protect the occasional piece of less than robust equipment that they had the potential to be carrying.

Most commerical single axle cargo trailers these days do not have 'em, but higher quality camper trailers seem to.

[UncleHo]

G'day Folks

Workshop trailers were fitted with shockers,same type as 2a GS from memory,also the few water tank trailers,modded GS,from memory the axle is solid on the early builds,1966-70,later trailers may have had thick walled tube 150-200 lb. steam tube,but I don't know when or at what contract No it changed.

hope that is of help.

[towe0609]

G'day Folks

Workshop trailers were fitted with shockers,same type as 2a GS from memory,also the few water tank trailers,modded GS,from memory the axle is solid on the early builds,1966-70,later trailers may have had thick walled tube 150-200 lb. steam tube,but I don't know when or at what contract No it changed.

hope that is of help.

Thanks so much. With that help I think I've worked out that the shocks are probably RTC4483 which superceeded RTC4484. They are about $42 each from Karcraft. Any further advice appreciated, otherwise an order will be placed Monday, with fingers crossed.