On Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:04:10 -0700 (PDT), stryped
wrote:
On Apr 24, 8:30*am, RoyJ wrote:
stryped wrote:

Just thinking out loud here. Is there any advantage to using one of
these "sliders"?

Sliders are commonly used on boat trailers where there is need to adjust
* axle to match the center of gravity of the boat/trailer combination.
It also adds a bit of extra material at the spring perches, distributes
the stress concentrations somewhat.

Many 18 wheeler trailers have user adjustable rear bogies. Tell tell
sign is a row of 2" diameter holes in the frame above the rear bogies.
Pull the locking pins, set the trailer brakes, drive the tractor forward
or backward. Lets the driver adjust the weight on the trailer tires and
tractor tires to meet the 18,000 pounds per axle max.

Think it is a good idea for a utility trailer? Would threading the
3/16 frame tubing and installing a grade 8 bolt be strong enough? (One
on each end of the angle?

A slider assembly is not a good idea on a plain utility trailer - if
you have the trailer loaded full of firewood and the tongue is too
light, you simply shift some of the wood forward, problem solved. If
you have a small tractor in it and the tongue is too heavy you either
shift it forward or back and adjust the tiedowns, or back the tractor
onto the trailer to put the engine block at the other end.

Sliders are used on boat trailers where the exact CG isn't known
before building the trailer and loading the boat, and the load can not
be adjusted - so you have to adjust the trailer instead.

The EZ-Slide axles on trucks are because some states have different
maximum wheelbase rules, and other states say they have to be farther
apart to carry more load. (Spread it out over a wider chunk of road.)

And we already covered through-bolting on a tubing frame... You
/have/ to weld a tubing sleeve in the hole, or you collapse the tubing
and seriously weaken the frame.

-- Bruce --