If you intend to spend a lot of time on the road, towing equipment from point to point, you'll want to ensure that your trailer is up to the task. You may need to cover some dirt roads as part of your adventure and will want to ensure that you can keep going without issue. Fundamentally, you need to look at the configuration of the trailer, strengthen it as needed and upgrade the moving parts. Where should you begin and how should you proceed?
Assessing Your Need
If you tow something that has considerable value by itself (such as an expensive car), you certainly want to ensure that it is kept as safe as possible on board. While your current trailer may be well-engineered, there are several aftermarket options available to you, and you should think about swapping out the axle and various suspension components.
Working Within Guidelines
Remember, you must always comply with the rules set down and ensure that your vehicle does not exceed its maximum allowable weight. This is typically calculated by adding the trailer itself to the on-board equipment or vehicle, and you always want to come underneath that critical figure.
Frame Strengthening
From a frame point of view, you can always add additional layers or "sister" bars to various points, but you should focus your attention on the axle, as this will help you to cope more effectively with stresses, strains and unmade roads.
Axle Solutions
Some trailers come equipped with a standard or overlay axle, which may be welded directly to the frame of the trailer itself. Others may be attached by separate arms (also known as a drop axle), and this can help to achieve more ground clearance. For a much smoother ride, you might want to choose an axle that has rubber suspension components, and this can certainly cut down on wear and tear and overall maintenance.
Hubs
You may need to upgrade the hubs on each end of the axle with heavy-duty bearings that are designed for the purpose. Typically, the larger bearings and hubs will allow you to carry more capacity, and they also last longer from a maintenance point of view.
Spring Upgrade
You can then upgrade the leaf springs and potentially add more leaves or vary the individual thickness. Generally speaking, the more leaves, the greater the capacity, but this will also depend on the length of each leaf as well.
Availability
There are many aftermarket accessories designed to improve stability or increase towing capacity. Contact a company that sells single-axle trailers and see what they recommend for your specific case.
Share23 October 2020
Hi, my name is Randi, and I love working with cars. I like to fix them, but I also like to improve them with cool after-market parts. From my experience, all types of vehicles benefit differently from different after-market parts. Some of them need big speakers and better stereos, while others need better tires or new hubcaps. Through years of improving my vehicle and helping my friends, I have learned a lot about spotting the best deals, figuring out what will increase the car's value the most and learning how to install different elements. If you want to learn about car accessories, I hope you explore this blog. It is something I decided to make for fun so I could share what I know with others.
