ATV Trailer axle - Looking for some input

[benc199]

Hi,

I am thinking about making an atv tipping trailer, but would prefer to setup an axle system something like the attached pictures, were the leading wheel will absorb the bump first and the second wheel keeping the trailer level and vice versa.

I dont know how to setup the central pivot point between the two wheels that will attach to the trailer frame. Would prefer if the left and right side of the trailer was independant of each other.

I am also concerned with the alignment of the four wheels under certain conditions such as heavy loads, sharp turning.

Any help would be great.

[bassboy1]

I personally wouldn't want that system. First of all, you are talking massive materials to make something like that strong enough, especially when factoring in high speed and alignment. Secondly, it lacks springs. Trailers need springs. Otherwise, you end up breaking things on the trailer as well as the trailer itself.

Look into a standard tandem leaf spring suspension that has the equalizer bar in the middle. It still allows the wheel movement just as the picture does, but also gives you the springs. The only downside (in your case) is it doesn't have the independent side to side method you commented on. However, on most flat beds, the trailer has enough suspension travel, with the equalizer walking beam setup, that the trailer frame itself drags before you run out of travel on the springs/axles.

[north of the 53rd]

You are on the right track. A walking beam axle is the way to go. Don't use leaf springs on a atv trailer. Leaf spring trailers bounce and sometimes flip. (dont ask how I know that) at higher speeds. A walking beam atv trailer is what I would build, way safer can carry heavy loads and be pulled faster.here's a pic of 2 types that I build. and the load they can carry.

[hondarancher4435]

Yep, i'd say that's quite a load. Nice work

[AKAUTOMATION]

I would stay away from springs. I have seen trailers with springs and have tendancy to tip over. Especially with the big ATV tires. I have built a couple of walking beam trailers and they ride very smooth and handle the load very easily. Have hauled several moose and bear out of some pretty rough terrain with no problems. Here are couple of pics of the last one that I built.

[farmersamm]

The walking beam is a "spring" to some extent. It transfers motion to the frame in a gentler fashion becuase it doesn't take obstacles in a fixed straight line motion. It dispels force by climbing over the obstacle to some degree. The force is dissipated in many directions during this process

[Sandy]

The ATV tires are about all the shock absorption you need on those things.

[benc199]

Originally Posted by north of the 53rd

You are on the right track. A walking beam axle is the way to go. Don't use leaf springs on a atv trailer. Leaf spring trailers bounce and sometimes flip. (dont ask how I know that) at higher speeds. A walking beam atv trailer is what I would build, way safer can carry heavy loads and be pulled faster.here's a pic of 2 types that I build. and the load they can carry.

That's what I was looking for thanks.

Do I just weld the metal pipes shown in the picture to the frame and then slide the pivot point into it. want have you use to keep wheel axle frame in place, is it a bolt or welded stop end.

[north of the 53rd]

Yes, weld the DOM tube onto the angle iron then onto the trailer frame, slide the axle in and then weld a washer to the end of it the same size as the tube. I used channel for this one because it's all I had.
That's just the way I built mine I would like to see other ideas also. anyone?

[Scott Young]

we built several dog trailers with that same axle design. we drilled and tapped a zerk so we could grease the pivot axle. when you pull a dog trailer through the mud and muck, the grease will keep everything like it needs to be.

i like the welded washer. we tapped and bolted a keeper washer instead. if we ever wanted to take the walking beam off all we needed to do is unbolt and slip it out of the dom tube. after 10 years we have never needed to unbolt it so I will be welding the next ones on.

[north of the 53rd]

Yes, I also put zerks on all my axles. I've built a dozen atv trailers (all walking beam type) so far and never had one break or ware out.

[jsfab]

I've built many walking beams over the years, ranging from the light-duty ATV type stuff to multi-ton ag equipment and bank-out wagons.

For the ATV stuff, for the center bearing on the walking beam, I use standard trailer spindles, plug weld them into a square tube axle, which then gets welded or bolted onto the trailer frame. Get a machine shop, to cut me a couple hubs, out of DOM tubing, that can be welded into the beams. Sized correctly, to fit the timken bearings, races, seals, and hubcap.

Just like a wheel bearing, now and anytime in the future, you can disassemble, repack, replace, or just tighten up. No welded in washers or keepers .....

[benc199]

Thanks for all the advice, have a good idea what to do now.

Looking for some more advice though!!

I am thinking about making a rear door for the trailer like in the attached photos.

The idea is to have removable mesh high frames on the front, sides and rear, but have the sides and rear door removable.

So I was thinking about making the rear door solid for 1/3 of the total height and 2/3 for the mesh frame.
Have the mesh frame built with some extended box section that would slide into larger box section of the smaller solid door which can be secured with pins, so when required the two doors would open as one rather than two separate doors shown in the picture; or having to remove the top door first (difficult to do with a full load).

Have the latches on the top and bottom capable of making it work for both tipping action and a ramp for loading a lawnmower,etc

What do you think??

[gimpyrobb]

I have no experiance with these trailers for atvs. But, like all arm chair QB, I have a suggestion/question. I own a few 6x6 military vehicles and the rear tandems use a leaf spring with the center mounted in place, and the tips of the spring resting on the axles(maybe upside down for this creation). This serves very well for articulation. I will try to post a pic up tomorrow so you can see what I am trying to describe. Just thought I'd try to add an idea that might have been over looked.

[farmersamm]

You're describing pretty much the same thing as a Hendrickson suspension used on the drivers for semi's. Very good suspensions. Beats the old Reyco's all to crap.

Air bags...............hoooey, and phoooooey. Rupture a bag, or get a valve freeze up on a really cold day, and ya look like Stimpy tooling down the highway

[bratkid63]

The trailer in my avatar uses walking beams with no springs. It handles pretty well even with it's top heavy load, but we only go 3 MPH when loaded!

Going to have to disagree with Sam on the airbags though. One of our tractors has an air ride cab. When it's hooked to our air ride Landoll trailer, the whole rig rides like a Lincoln Town Car. The walking beam and / or leaf spring trailers will beat your load to death at interstate speeds.

[bassboy1]

Originally Posted by bassboy1

I personally wouldn't want that system. First of all, you are talking massive materials to make something like that strong enough, especially when factoring in high speed and alignment. Secondly, it lacks springs. Trailers need springs. Otherwise, you end up breaking things on the trailer as well as the trailer itself.

Look into a standard tandem leaf spring suspension that has the equalizer bar in the middle. It still allows the wheel movement just as the picture does, but also gives you the springs. The only downside (in your case) is it doesn't have the independent side to side method you commented on. However, on most flat beds, the trailer has enough suspension travel, with the equalizer walking beam setup, that the trailer frame itself drags before you run out of travel on the springs/axles.

Ah, ignore this post. I thought you were talking about making an over the road utility trailer to haul ATV's on, not a trailer to tow behind the ATV. I see what your saying now, and yes, it does make a lot more sense that way. One would think that the picture of the trailer in your first post would have given me an idea of what you are talking about, but no, my brain would never want to work in logical ways. Things would make too much sense that way.

[triptester]

Can someone explain the benefit of this type of trailer axle system. It looks like a quite expensive system for a limited capacity trailer.

[dabar39]

Originally Posted by triptester

Can someone explain the benefit of this type of trailer axle system. It looks like a quite expensive system for a limited capacity trailer.

It works very well for off road and extreme conditions. Look at the second picture of this post and you will see how valuable this set up can be out in the woods with downed trees and rocks in the path. You are able to go into many areas that a normal rigid type of trailer just couldn't get into.

[Mandau]

how much load in Ton this axle can handle in a rough bumpy ride I wonder...?

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by Mandau

how much load in Ton this axle can handle in a rough bumpy ride I wonder...?

Well in this case these trailers are being pulled by quads, so the weight is limited by the tow vehicle and terrain in combination. The average quad will be 400 lbs to 800 lbs.

[soarkrebel]

I know my single axle ATV trailer take a beating and keeps on going......

[Hardwood]

Question to N of 53rd:
Can you tell me the size of the square tube you used for the walking beam (Looks like maybe 1 1/2 x 2 1/2" x 1/8"). Also I was wondering about welding in the spindle's, most of the ones I found do not have a very long stub end, maybe 2" or so max - so did you find longer ones and were you able to weld it to both sides of the tubing (if so you must have welded it from the inside since I don't see a second hole in the square tubing) or did you only weld it to the one side? I am guessing it is just welded on the one side but I thought I would ask.

Thanks

[north of the 53rd]

I used 2x3 - 1/8 tube for these ones but 1 1/2 x 3 would work also.
the spindles I bought were 2000 lbs rated, 9 inches long and yes I welded both sides but the offsets of the rims are sometimes different. The first few that I built I had to add a 1/4 inch spacer to them so the tires wont rub on the walking beam. The last 3 trailers I built I didn't check the rim offsets and I built the same way I allways do and the tires stick way out from the walking beam (didn't have to add any spacer). If I would've noticed that I would've drilled right threw to the other side. With 1 1/2 x3 I would just drill right threw. I used a bessy clamp to hold the spindle tight and flat while I welded them on. Here's a few pics of what I mean.

[Hardwood]

Thanks for the info and pictures - you sure do help a guy out! Now what's with all the trailers? I only have two and the wife is wondering why I need another ... Oh well guess they'll never understand ... we just gotta have lots a stuff.