FIXED - HELP! Need suggestion for trailer repair in Lovelock/Winnemucca, Nevada

[belfert]

Yes, almost exactly a year later our enclosed trailer has an axle problem again.  We had an entire drum with wheel attached fall off going down I80.  The trailer has a torsion axle and the spindle is bent.

Does anyone know a shop in Lovelock or Winnemucca, Nevada that could fix or replace the spindle?

Please note that I am not looking for any actual physical help with this issue.  I just need the name of a place we can take the trailer for repair.  The hub was repacked just over a year ago when the brake assembly and brake drum was replaced.

[belfert]

Would a place like Axle Surgeons be able to replace a spindle on a trailer like this?

I came up with an idea to limp home with one axle just like last year.  It involves finding a mechanic to unbolt the rear axle and then move the front axle to the rear position.  I'm hoping finding a mechanic to do this in Lovelock will be easy.

[saddleup]

Place out by the winnemucca airport that makes cargo trailers, they might be able to help you out, probably have any kind of axle part you might need.
Matt

[belfert]

Place out by the winnemucca airport that makes cargo trailers, they might be able to help you out, probably have any kind of axle part you might need.

Someone we know who lives in Winnemucca mentioned the Carry-On plant.  We will try calling once it gets a little later. 

[AndyG]

What brand of axle does yout trailer have?  You may be able to search for area dealers by going to the axle maker's web page. 

[belfert]

What brand of axle does yout trailer have?  You may be able to search for area dealers by going to the axle maker's web page. 

Dexter torsion axles.  We know from losing an axle last year that nobody carries torsion axles in stock.  They have to be custom ordered from the factory as there are too many combinations of options.

[John316]

Dexter torsion axles.  We know from losing an axle last year that nobody carries torsion axles in stock.  They have to be custom ordered from the factory as there are too many combinations of options.

Then drop something else in there. Put a spring axle in. Whatever it takes. Trailer is metal frame. You can do whatever you want with metal.

FWIW

[bevans6]

I'm curious as to what broke that allowed the hub to come off.  Did the big nut back off, or did the stub axle break somewhere?  Any thoughts on what caused it?  Trailer loads, etc?  One thing about torsion axles is they don't load balance between axles as well as spring axles with load levers do, so the trailer has to be set up very level.

Brian

[Busted Knuckle]

Brian,
Sorry to hear of troubles again, but something tells me that there was a reason that trailer was "such a deal" !

Let's see you bought the trailer, rebuilt the out side of it, then repaired or replaced the same axle a yr ago?

I'd go with the suggestion of the trailer place Matt suggests.

But at the very least, any shop should be able to swap the axle locations.

When you get it home this time, you need to have someone find out what the problem is and get it fixed. (or better yet sell that trailer and get a NEW one, so you'll know what ya got from now on!)
  BK 

[fe2_o3]

Either that or keep it away from Nevada...Cable

[belfert]

This is now fixed.  I apologize for not updating earlier.

We got the broken axle removed and the front axle moved to the rear position at a tire shop in Lovelock.  We moved a bunch of weight into the bus and a friend who lives in Winnemucca took some stuff home to store until next year.  We weighed the trailer axle at a scale and it was under the axle weight rating.  The nut was still on the spindle after the drum came off.

The plan for the future is to redo the suspension with spring axles before next year's trip.

[luvrbus]

You need to check stuff a little closer that hub had to red hot when you lost the outer bearing and it let the hub fly off

good luck

[Chopper Scott]

Cliff's right. Even a spring axle wouldn't have survived what sounds like a bearing going bad. If you change to drop spring axles you basically will be in the same boat if one lets go. I would look for heavier rated axles regardless and if you go the spring route make sure you get slipper springs and not shackle types.

[Jeremy]

I had a bearing fail and the complete hub fly off a trailer once; in retrospect, it was entirely my fault - I was 17 or 18 at the time and didn't have a clue about cars or trailers. Truth is that bearings don't fail without warning - in fact they usually give lots of warning. I do a lot of towing and always get the jack out for a quick check of the bearings before starting a long journey, or if the trailer hasn't been used in a while. Then a touch to the hubs to check the temperature each time I stop for fuel.

Trailer bearings are not 'fit and forget' items, and responsibility for them isn't something that can be devolved to others - unlike car wheel bearings for instance, which, for whatever reason (better engineered I assume) don't need ongoing maintenance.

Jeremy

[TomC]

I had the same problem with our Masters of Harmony trailer this summer going to Kansas City for the International Barbershop competition.  I had the bearings all repacked only 6,000 miles previously, but lost one of the bearings (left rear-almost came off the trailer).  But with 3 axles, just took it off and went on down the road.  Had it fixed during the competition-they found 3 other bearings about ready to go.  So now, I'll have the bearings packed and inspected every year before summer.

Dexter makes a unified sealed bearing that's supposed to be the cats meow.  If you're going to keep the trailer-look at the Dexter website.  Since you have an air suspension bus-Dexter makes an air suspension for the trailer-would be my choice.  Can't beat air suspension for its' ride.  Good Luck, TomC