I admit I'm a geek and researching and learning things like this are exciting and fun for me, I enjoy knowing how things work. To the Internet and book store!!! I started my research and my search for for the right axle for our tiny camper.
For the proper axle length you need to measure hub face to hub face and also from the spring centers.
Bolting the axle to the springs is pretty straight forward using U bolts and locking nuts.
With the knowledge I learned from research, reading, and speaking with professionals I felt confident to order our axle. I placed our order and waited for it to arrive. We had already made reservations for our annual Mother's Day Camp so I started getting a bit nervous. Our axle arrived while we were out and when we saw it our heart sank. They sent us the wrong axle. Instead of becoming defeated... heck I've come this far with this hot mess I wasn't about to let this set me back for long. Okay it was too late to ship it back and wait for the replacement so we had to come up with a plan B. Back to the Internet to find axle companies within driving distance.
After making some calls it really sank in how dangerous and crazy it was that Crybaby / Surfside Trailers cut and welded our axle to make it fit. Every time I spoke with someone I would hear, "WHAT? You're kidding.... man I have to see that, can you bring it in?" I felt like we were the owners of a two headed goat and everyone wanted to pay two bits to have a look at our oddity. I took photos and sent measurements and they all still wanted to see it in person even more.
After speaking with Jerry and James at Pacific Trailers we loaded up the twisted two headed beast and took our freak show on the road down to Chino. Once there the crew came out of the shop to look over the beast we brought in, they couldn't believe what they were seeing and were disgusted it was even put on the road. The pipe didn't even line up and would roll on the flat surface to the offset side of the added pipe.
You can see the tire wear from the broken axle.
Crybaby / Surfside never had our tires balanced before putting them on the trailer. Notice the white center on the inside rim, Crybaby / Surfside spray painted our rims while they were on the trailer.
Crybaby / Surfside even spray painted our lug nuts on the trailer.
You can see how the original axle bows down because the welds don't line up straight and were breaking.
Look at how the added piece doesn't line up correctly.
The welds glopped on and breaking.
You can see the crack in the weld. The axle was spray painted black to hide the welds.
Another angle of the welds.
The pictures don't show just how much the added section of pipe is offset at the welds.
After seeing the hideous beast the guys at Pacific Trailers I think took pity on us for it and the distance we drove and they told us they could have our new custom made axle to us that same day. I couldn't believe it I wanted to hug them and jump up and down at the same time. They took measurements and we decided to go with new hub faces and hardware too. We signed our paperwork then went off to wait for our phone call that it was ready. We didn't have to wait long which was completely unexpected and made us even more thrilled. We hurried back to the shop and there it was in it's beautiful galvanized glory...... our new axle!
Pacific Trailers built our axle in less than 4 hours. Our new axle is rated for 2,800 lbs.
We loaded both axles and our hardware into the truck and off we went to install the new axle. We got home and used the marks to center the axle under our springs. We ran into our first glitch here, our hardware was about an inch too short with the necessary spring spacers. Not to loose momentum we ran up to a local trailer sales yard for new hardware. Unfortunately they didn't have the size we needed so we tried NAPA Auto and again skunked. By this time it was getting dark so we called it a night and my husband made the trip back to Pacific and exchanged the hardware. I can't tell you enough how wonderful the folks are at this shop, professional and so friendly.
New hardware in hand it was back to installing the axle. It mounted quickly and easily and after my husband took the tires to the local shop and had them rotated and balanced. Back home we ran into our last snag.... the lug nuts were just a hair smaller than the new bolts. A phone call to Pacific later and we were back at NAPA for the correct lug nuts. Both these glitches we didn't mind because we couldn't have known about them until we were putting things together. The old axle was made in China and the measurement was slightly different for the lug nuts.
The left side of the trailer had more tire wear and when the tire was off we found the tire was rubbing against the trailer too.
The bearings can be greased without removing the tire or climbing under the trailer.
The new axle is straight and strong!
The new axle mounted to the springs.
The tires fit better and the left side no longer rubs on the side.
The tires have been rotated and balanced.
Even with the small glitches this project went quickly. We wouldn't be back up and running if it weren't for the amazing and talented men at Pacific Trailers, we highly recommend them if you need to replace an axle or if you are starting your build.
From cut, welded, and busted...... to solid, custom fit, and STRONG!
We can't wait to take the Blue Guppy out for our next camp! I will definitely be letting you know how it pulls when we return.
In honor of Mother's Day and our annual camp I thought I'd share a campfire creation to celebrate Mom and bring her breakfast in bed.
Grands Orange Cinnamon Rolls
1 can Pilsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls
Oranges
Campfire
Cut the oranges in half and scoop out the meat (use it for fruit salad or snacks).
Place a roll in each half, place in baking pan and cover with tinfoil.
Place over fire and watch them until they rise and are cooked through. Careful not to burn them if your fire is really hot.
Remove from fire, ice and serve. Enjoy the smile on Mom's face when you bring her fresh cinnamon rolls from the campfire!
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