I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie

Ronnie wrote:

I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie

Either go to a U-pull-it place and wander around, or go to a regular
wrecking yard and ask. Any light truck with leaf springs should give
you a decent rear axle to play with.

Or start reading your classifieds for el-cheapo trucks and use the whole
back end for a classic back-of-a-pickup trailer.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

"Ronnie" wrote in message
ups.com...
I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie


Why not do it the Auld Fassion Way: start out with the back half of a
half-ton pickup minus the driveshaft.

Pull the spider and ring gear out of the differential and weld an "A"-shaped
tongue onto the front.

If you just want the springs/shocks/axle to put on your own frame that'll
work too.

Your biggest problem will be installing brakes, if needed.

Ronnie wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !


Front wheel drive cars have nice usable rear spindles, springs and such on
the rear portion, naturally.

Volkswagens and K cars have a great swing arm rear axle
Pat

"Michael" wrote in message
...

Ronnie wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !


Front wheel drive cars have nice usable rear spindles, springs and such on
the rear portion, naturally.

Caravans have a "tube" rear axle. At least the early ones did.

JW

On 8 Dec 2004 10:07:12 -0800, "Ronnie" wrote:

I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie

Dad made a trailer axle once by pulling the tubes and stub axles out
of a pickup axle and re-joining them with an outer tube the same
diameter as the axle tubes and width of the diff case, while joining
the stub axles with a shaft bored to take both stubs. He filled the
bored shaft with grease, stuffed the whole mess together, and welded
the outer tubes.

Pete Keillor

"Ronnie" wrote in message
ups.com...
I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie


Okay, Okay. I know this is a metalworking newsgroup, but ..........

Lemme tell you two stories ............

I needed a truck rack. I didn't have any welding equipment at the time,
only 25 years experience in welding. I went to a friend who has a trailer
sales place in search of a trailer for my ATV. I asked him if he happened
to have a truck rack. He said yes, and directed me to a corner of the yard
full of junk. There was a nicely made truck rack made out of 1x2" tube with
angle iron mounts. It fit my truck perfectly except for rounding the
corners 1/4". I woulda gave him $100 for it, and he said he would take $40.
I said, "Ummmmm....errrrrr ........... well, Okay."

Now I needed a trailer. He had a NICE one for $1200. I said I would think
about it. Within three days, I found a NICE one for $300. It wasn't new,
but it was sturdy, and I still have it.

I know you can build stuff, but sometimes, you have to add up all the time
you will spend, and all the materials, and decide if it is not cheaper,
sometimes MUCH cheaper just to buy one already to go.

Some DMVs can be a pain in the neck to title a homemade trailer. Others not
so bad. Don't know about your state.

Just some things to consider.

I currently am going to alter my trailer, because I KNOW I can do it cheaper
and better than a shop. You may have to do that. Buy a trailer that's
already together, then modify it for your use. For the money you save, you
can put a box on it, and all sorts of goodies.

I have welded for thirty years now, and I wouldn't even CONSIDER making my
own trailer. My time is worth more than that. Why spend several days
making a trailer when I can make up to $600 a day doing something else?

STeve

I have a trailer with spindles from a 1962 Chevy. You have to cut the
spindle arms off and wash the back down with a torch or grind it flat (or
mill it on a lathe), weld a plate with 4 corner holes to the back of the
spindle and then bolt it to a matching plate welded to the end of a pipe
(axle). Adjust toe in using washers between the plates. I built that setup
in 1973 and although the trailer has changed, the axle and spindles have
not. I hear that the best spindles are from an old Rambler since they are
already set up to bolt on. Probably hard to find nowdays, though.

--
Gary Brady
Austin, TX
www.powdercoatoven.4t.com


"Ronnie" wrote in message
ups.com...
I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie

New axle sets from www.northerntool.com run $150 for a 2000 pound axle,
hubs, springs, shackles, and mounts. Fenders start at $11 Get the 5
bolt axle and you can use Ford wheels with a 5 on a 4-1/2" circle.

Ronnie wrote:
I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie

SteveB wrote:
... Why spend several days making a trailer ...

Uhh ... because it's recreational metalworking??

On 8 Dec 2004 10:07:12 -0800, "Ronnie" calmly
ranted:

I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

You can buy a 4x8' folding trailer with lights and axles
and 12" tires for under $200 from several sources now. Try
your local welding or auto-parts stores for axles. Schucks, Fred
Meyer, Harbor Freight, etc. The Schucks trailer also comes in a
14" tired version for $250.

Here's the first link on Google, a trailer superstore.
http://www.easternmarine.com/em_store/axles/


================================================== ========
CAUTION: Do not use remaining fingers as pushsticks!
================================================== ========
http://www.diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development

www.pricessauto.com

$350 FOR 2000 LB AXELS WITH SPRINGS

"Ronnie" wrote in message
ups.com...
I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie

Try a mobile home park. Some states mandate removing the wheels, so they may
even remove the axles. I know I have in the past gotten axles from a
manufactured home park, as the units came on wheels and were put on
foundations.
gary


"Ronnie" wrote in message
ups.com...
I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie

On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 20:50:46 -0500, Bob Engelhardt
wrote:

SteveB wrote:
... Why spend several days making a trailer ...

Uhh ... because it's recreational metalworking??


The "spindle" of choice today is the Chevy Cavalier / Pontiac Sunbird
rear bearing assembly. Relatively cheap, and available EVERYWHERE.
Bolts on nicely with 4 bolts. 5 bolt X 100mm bolt pattern.

Next in line is the K car and derivatives - bolts on the same - also 5
X 100mm. Also cheap and common as dirt.
For a dropped axle grab a chunk of heavy wall tubing and weld some
3/8 or 1/2" steel plate on the ends, drill to fit "spindles" and throw
in a gusset from the plate to the tube for good measure.

You can make a reasonable, if not pretty, axle in an hour or so.

On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 02:35:53 GMT, "Gary Owens"
wrote:

Try a mobile home park. Some states mandate removing the wheels, so they may
even remove the axles. I know I have in the past gotten axles from a
manufactured home park, as the units came on wheels and were put on
foundations.
gary

Kinda overkill to tow the ATV behind the Caravan, isn't it? Those
axles are pretty darn close to 8 feet wide and weigh more than the
ATV.

For a 5 foot wide box and a light ATV a pair of those elastomer spring
trailing arm suspensions used on tent trailers would be the simplest.

Stick them into the 2 or 2 1/2" share tubing you make the frame from -
no separate axle, no shackles, no springs - and enough suspension to
do the job.

Either find a scrapped tent trailer or buy a new replacement set from
rour local trailer shop or surplus outlet (northern Hydraulics,
Princess Auto, or whatever.)


"Ronnie" wrote in message
oups.com...
I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie

"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
SteveB wrote:
... Why spend several days making a trailer ...

Uhh ... because it's recreational metalworking??

I love to make "stuff" and have wasted my share of time on useless projects.
It is just that more than once, when finished, I analyzed the "savings", and
couldn't find any. It would have been cheaper to just go buy the damn
thing, and do other things with the time. Like going bowling, or taking a
nap.

Recreational metalworking? Isn't that an oxymoron?

Steve

On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 21:43:38 -0800, "SteveB"
wrote:


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
SteveB wrote:
... Why spend several days making a trailer ...

Uhh ... because it's recreational metalworking??

I love to make "stuff" and have wasted my share of time on useless projects.
It is just that more than once, when finished, I analyzed the "savings", and
couldn't find any. It would have been cheaper to just go buy the damn
thing, and do other things with the time. Like going bowling, or taking a
nap.

Recreational metalworking? Isn't that an oxymoron?

Steve

While at times it may be cheaper in "cost" to purchase something, its
Cash that means everything.

If you dont have any cash...you do whatever it takes to get the job
done, even if it takes weeks.

How many of you have modified something you designed to utilize what
you had on hand, rather than going out, paying Cash for the stuff to
utilize your original design.

I damned sure know I design based on what I have on hand, rather than
the often times easier or marginally better or more elegant design
that requires expendeture of money better spent on a house payment or
food.

Necessity is indeed, the mother of invention. And necessity is a
mother.

Gunner



"If I'm going to reach out to the the Democrats then I need a third
hand.There's no way I'm letting go of my wallet or my gun while they're
around."

"Democrat. In the dictionary it's right after demobilize and right
before demode` (out of fashion).
-Buddy Jordan 2001

I missed the staff meeting but the minutes show Gunner
wrote back on Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:10:09 GMT
in rec.crafts.metalworking :

Recreational metalworking? Isn't that an oxymoron?

Steve

While at times it may be cheaper in "cost" to purchase something, its
Cash that means everything.

If you dont have any cash...you do whatever it takes to get the job
done, even if it takes weeks.

Time isn't money, if all you have is time.

How many of you have modified something you designed to utilize what
you had on hand, rather than going out, paying Cash for the stuff to
utilize your original design.

Me!

I damned sure know I design based on what I have on hand, rather than
the often times easier or marginally better or more elegant design
that requires expendeture of money better spent on a house payment or
food.

It is ingrained Dad didn't buy unless he had to, so I had to make do
with what he had left over.

Necessity is indeed, the mother of invention. And necessity is a
mother.

And f*cking up is how Necessity got to me a mother.


tschus
pyotr

--
pyotr filipivich.
as an explaination for the decline in the US's tech edge, James
Niccol wrote "It used to be that the USA was pretty good at
producing stuff teenaged boys could lose a finger or two playing with."

I used the rear axel out of a Dodge van. My neighbor/collaborator got
it from the junkyard for about zip, with good wheels and tires. The
bearings were even in pretty good shape when we cleaned, inspected and
re-packed them.

I cut it and welded in an extension made of pipe to get the width
needed for a 5 x 9 trailer. The springs were way too wimpy so we
replaced them with 3000-lb (total, 1500 each side) new springs from
Northern Tool for about $40.

On 8 Dec 2004 10:07:12 -0800, "Ronnie" wrote:

I need to build a 5' wide by 8' long ATV trailer. I priced a new axle
through the local trailer axle place and it's $350.00 for a 2000 lbs
rolling axle with no brakes, 14" tires and wheels and two bare
fenders...holy batcakes ****man!

I know there's gotta be something out there in the auto boneyard that
would have a leaf spring type axle that could be harvested cheaper than
that...problem is I'm not to sure what it would be.

I'm hoping someone out there has just the idea I need to kick off my
next project. Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Ronnie

On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:10:09 GMT, Gunner
wrote:

(snip)

I damned sure know I design based on what I have on hand, rather than
the often times easier or marginally better or more elegant design

I do the same even when cashflow isn't my reason for doing it. I
think an elegant design is one that uses ingenuity and craftsmanship
to accomplish a desired objective with available materials and
resources. Skill building or maintenance is a non-trivial
side-benefit.

Some years ago I wondered why I was busting me arse hauling on a
ratchet with a cheater to get some rusty stubborn nuts off of U-bolt
shackles. I had a decent day job, why was I doing this of an evening?
Then I thought about the guys that were spending lotsa money to go to
the "health club" to get similar exercise, and then would pay some
bozo $500 to do a half-assed repair job on their vehicle.

The skill I learned on that job was to fuggedabout the rowing machine
exercise, torch the buggers off because new ones are cheap.

On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:10:09 GMT, Gunner
wrote:



I damned sure know I design based on what I have on hand, rather than
the often times easier or marginally better or more elegant design
that requires expendeture of money better spent on a house payment or
food.

Necessity is indeed, the mother of invention. And necessity is a
mother.

Gunner

If you haven't walked past a pile of "junk" and thought you just might
make something of that, well, you haven't been properly infected.

I believe I can make a mini articulated loader with those old riding
mowers out back of the shop. Maybe that will be my next project.

On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 21:03:01 GMT, Andy Asberry
wrote:
||I damned sure know I design based on what I have on hand, rather than
||the often times easier or marginally better or more elegant design
||that requires expendeture of money better spent on a house payment or
||food.

||If you haven't walked past a pile of "junk" and thought you just might
||make something of that, well, you haven't been properly infected.

LOL My wife thinks that's exactly what I am - infected!
I see treasure in a pile of metal scrap.
The guys at the defects bins over at our (auto parts) warehouse think I'm nuts.
I have them save old shock absorbers for me so I can chopsaw the shafts out.
Most are 1/2" or 5/8" x 12" hard steel with a mirror polish. Coincidentally,
the worn shafts in my Atlas QC box are....1/2" & 5/8".
And then there are new (defective) brake rotors, retail displays made of
powdercoated steel tubing.........
Texas Parts Guy

On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 21:50:48 GMT, ) wrote:

On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 21:03:01 GMT, Andy Asberry
wrote:
||I damned sure know I design based on what I have on hand, rather than
||the often times easier or marginally better or more elegant design
||that requires expendeture of money better spent on a house payment or
||food.

||If you haven't walked past a pile of "junk" and thought you just might
||make something of that, well, you haven't been properly infected.

LOL My wife thinks that's exactly what I am - infected!
I see treasure in a pile of metal scrap.
The guys at the defects bins over at our (auto parts) warehouse think I'm nuts.
I have them save old shock absorbers for me so I can chopsaw the shafts out.
Most are 1/2" or 5/8" x 12" hard steel with a mirror polish. Coincidentally,
the worn shafts in my Atlas QC box are....1/2" & 5/8".
And then there are new (defective) brake rotors, retail displays made of
powdercoated steel tubing.........
Texas Parts Guy

Even if I could remember, you wouldn't believe how many welding carts
I've made from old tire display stands.