weight in trailer

[snow tundra]

I have a triton 12ftxt trailer with top cap I have a 06 venture and a artic cat zl 800. Both of these sleds are heavy with the Venture close to 800 lbs. loaded. The tires are worn on the inside the axle is bent I am getting a new axle 3500 lb. Is this from the heavy load I carry or bad holes in the road. The axle on now is a 2200 lb axle. Has anybody else have this problem. The trailer has about 25000 mi. on it 2001 model.

 

[Ported Hornet]

nope, have a 10ft triton with cap carrying 2 Apexs many a mile.

 

[buddhahead]

What year is your trailer? I know my Triton open place came with a seperate warrenty from the axle maker. You might want to check with them

 

[Crewchief47]

Snow Tundra, please take the time to update your location in your profile, Thanks!

Hmmmm, two sleds at around 800 Lbs each + the weight of the trailer and toper.

1600 Lbs for sleds leaves you room for 600 Lbs of trailer including toper and any other gear or spare tires you throw in there. I'd be surprised if that trailer is less than 600 Lbs but I really can't verify that, I don't have one.

 

[ahicks]

I doubt you're overloading your trailer. The fact your tires are wearing on the inside is why you are thinking the axle is bent? If not, why do you believe it bent? How old, how many miles on the tires? Is this a leaf spring or torsion type axle?

 

[yamadoo]

Snow tundra,

I have the same trailer, 12ft, triton with Topcap and haul two sleds APEX an XTC. My tires wore out on th inside as well. I can not see that the axel was bent. I chalked it up to 10 yrs old, many thousands of miles. I put new on and after 1k of towing seems to be wearing OK. I did not measure treads to detect trends.

Hope that helps

Yamadoo

 

[buddhahead]

I looked at my trailer axle. It is bowed up in the middle. I believe it was made this way so when up load it up, it flattens out-kind of like looking at an empty flatbed semi trailer. Not sure if this what you're seeing or not.

 

[Blue 4's Rule]

I have a 2006 12ft Aluminum Triton XT with a fiberglass Topp Capp! The trailer without the cap only weighs 545lbs according to my spec sheet. With the top I'm guessing 1000-1100lbs!! I haul my XTX and my wifes tank of a sled(looking to replace)an 08 Polaris FST Cruiser. No problems at all thus far!

 

[snow tundra]

This trailer is 01. It has the torsion axle no springs. The tires are original.

 

[LazyBastard]

The problem is that those trailers are very poorly designed. The very small wheels spin extremely fast causing very quick wear, and also due to the very small wheels, they don't come out of holes very easily and can subject the axle to excessive forces far in excess of the design. Having the bed over top of the wheels also limits the suspension travel - if by design, then when the suspension bottoms out on the stopper, the axle will bend. If there is no bottom stop, then the wheels will bottom out against the bottom of the bed and wear against that.

If you want a trailer that will actually work, pick one with a longer axle and larger wheels, either outboard wheels, or having a bed with wheel wells. The larger the wheels, the slower they spin, the longer the bearings last, the lower the tire wear, and the better they are at jumping out of holes.

You could easily convert one of these trailers to a sensible design by buying a longer axle and some big wheels. If necessary, cut out some wheel wells.

 

[ahicks]

This trailer is 01. It has the torsion axle no springs. The tires are original.

Normal wear. If all the rest of the maintenance is right, just put some decent tires on it (6 ply?) and run it.

 

[attak-d]

I looked at my trailer axle. It is bowed up in the middle. I believe it was made this way so when up load it up, it flattens out-kind of like looking at an empty flatbed semi trailer. Not sure if this what you're seeing or not.

BINGO WE HAVE A WINNER! THATS RIGHT . ALL TRAILERS ARE THAT WAY.

 

[DoktorC]

I would say you are VERY close to or at the weight limit of the trailer. A 3500lb axle will more then likely solve your issues. Make sure you get the proper load range tire to match the higher capacity axle...and of course...watch your tire pressure! If that trailer uses "Fat Boy" tires you may have trouble findig a tire with a higher capacity. I know Karavan trailers list an E range with a 1535# capacity but they are sometimes hard to get in the field.

Sled trailers have a tendency to get beat on so 21000mi is doing very well IMO on the original tires...especially since you're at the limit of the trailer.

 

[FLYBYU]

Those straight axles do wear. Have replaced many of them at my old job. It's just like flatbed semi-trailers, you can always tell the new ones to the old ones. Yes they are pre-bent upwards, so that when you put a load on them they flatten out. There is a spec on determing if over bent situation has occured. That's why most everybody went to torsion axles. But torsion axles have their flaws also, they will twist inside the axle. the triton trailers axles are made by dexter. Use a straight edge of the frame rail to the torsion arm. torsion arm to floor of the trailer, of course this with the trailer off the ground. Take measurments and you will see whats bent. Also as ahicks said with those heavy sleds make sure your using a load range E tire. You can get them from your local triton dealer as they are an option when you buy a trailer

 

[snow tundra]

The tires are 20.5x8x10 6 ply