View Single Post
Old 03-13-2017, 10:06 PM   #1 (permalink)
oil pan 4
Corporate imperialist
 
oil pan 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,185

Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
Team Hyundai
90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

Snow flake - '11 Nissan Leaf SL
SUV
90 day: 141.63 mpg (US)
Thanks: 270
Thanked 3,528 Times in 2,802 Posts
Ultimate 4x8 utility trailer, 2,700lb capacity with brakes

This is what I have been moving toward with the odd questions I was asking.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ire-34883.html

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...5-a-34939.html

Pretty much a ground up rebuild.
This trailer started out as a bolt together motorcycle trailer with about a 900lb capacity in 2004. I got it in 2008 and rewired it, put a new hitch on it along with better tires, axles and springs.
Last time this trailer went under the torch was 2012. I converted it from bolt together fold up to ridged welded frame. On top of a 2,000lb idler axle and about 1,800lb worth of tires.
On my road trip last year I could feel the deficiency in the tongue design on very rough roads, roads in NY are worse than I have seen in war zones, WTF is up with that. And the mild 800lb gross trailer weight was pushing the car around a lot more than I would have liked when I tried to stop.
So it's getting a brake axle and new tongue design.
The spindles are ez-lube brake hub ready spindles rated 1,350lb each using 1-1/16'' inside and outside bearings. The axle is a schedule 80 steam pipe measures 1.5 inch inside diameter.
Ez-lube means that the spindle has been rifle drilled with a small hole from the spindle nut to between the grease seal and inner bearing. They should probably call it lazy lube. The only reason I want it is so when I get a surprise long distance trip I can hit the bearings with some grease with out taking the spindle apart.
It's still a good idea to clean and really pack the bearings every 2 or 3 years.
The axle and spindle are at the machine shop being machined down to fit together, I weld them.
The spindle bases are bigger than 1.5 inches, so they don't fit into my choice of axle tube.

Looks like the tires I will be going with will be load range E 145/80R12 rated for 1,600lb each.

Total cost of the brake axle up grade is going to be around $550.
The brake drums, brake set and spindles were all about $270.
The tires and rims will run about $200 for the pair.
Heavier springs are $25 each at the local trailer supply.
6 foot of schedule 80 steam pipe was $24.
I didn't ask how much the machine shop was going to charge.
And I need to find some U bolts.
I should have all the nuts bolts, hangers and shackles.
If you wanted to do one your self you could definitely save some $ by going with cheaper tires if you don't need load range E and if you stuck with cheap steel rims or even better, used steel rims. I want new aluminum trailer wheels.

You may think 2,700lb gross and around 2,400lb capacity is way too much for a car. IMO a 800lb gross weight no brake trailer is too much for most cars. but I also have the suburban and the over powered big brake firebird.

__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.

Last edited by oil pan 4; 03-13-2017 at 10:12 PM..
  Reply With Quote