Thread:

tandem to triple

I'm wanting to install a third axle on the trailer. I currently have mono leaf springs with a 25' ultra and every time I go over a bridge or overpass the trailer starts bouncing pretty damn good. I don't know if the springs are just under rated for the load or what. What I was wondering is how do you determine where to locate the axles? Would the middle axle be located where the idler is now on the tandems or is it more complicated than that?

Tim

i move the front wheel half of the rim distance forward the start from there and work back. this should move your rear wheel half the dist back . this should keep your load balanced. if you can find a truck scale go to it as it is . UN hook the truck and weight the axles and the tongue weight. this will help you and reason ir you may have to much weight on rear axle and will cause it to bounce . if you do you might want to move the front wheel 2/3 the dist of the wheel to move the weight forward. remember towing straight a triple is good but each turn cost you money because of wear on the tires.

Thanks for your input. I will take your advise and head to the scales.

i wouldn't add a third, one more thing to fix, third axle is real hard on things when turning, plus it's alot of work. make sure you got the air pressure in the tires at what the tires say is best. another thing you can check is all the bolts in the springs. the nuts are locking, so they could be loose without coming off,it won't hurt to snug them up, they don't need to be free & since theres no shocks having them snug will take some of the bounce out.

i would agree 100%, dont add a 3rd axel. not only cornering but backing into a turn is a major pain in the butt. also everytime i pull somewhere, i have to use turnpikes (welcome to oklahoma) and it cost me almost as much as a tractor trailer. to me its like tits on a boar hog, maybe visually appealing, but worthless. my 2 cents. nick

tim, if yoiu do decide to add an axle pm me and i will measure my trailer out for you, it does ride nice going down the highway. my trailer was built in ca. by hensley mfg.

now that boat right there definatly does not need a triple axle trailer!
but it sure looks COOL!

Originally Posted by Tim

I'm wanting to install a third axle on the trailer. I currently have mono leaf springs with a 25' ultra and every time I go over a bridge or overpass the trailer starts bouncing pretty damn good. I don't know if the springs are just under rated for the load or what. What I was wondering is how do you determine where to locate the axles? Would the middle axle be located where the idler is now on the tandems or is it more complicated than that?

Tim

I would get rid of those Mono-Leaf springs first and go from there, it will probably take care of most of your bouncing problem. I have seenthose things break in the past anyways.