East coast source for trailer axles & axle parts

A forum for discussing issues relating to trailers and towing MacGregor sailboats.
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Seadoc
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East coast source for trailer axles & axle parts

Post by Seadoc »

Seeking a source for trailer axles & associated parts. I want to add a 2nd axle to my original MacGregor 1984/85 trailer used for my 1985 Mac 25. I'm in SW Virginia.
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Russ
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Re: East coast source for trailer axles & axle parts

Post by Russ »

I'm not familiar with the design of that trailer. However, you might want to bring it to a trailer shop and see what they can do. I thought back then MacGregor used leaf springs and requires a bit of work to add an axle. See Sumner's mod http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ods-8.html

Also, with that age, if original, it probably needs some inspections for corrosion.

--Russ
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Harry van der Meer
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Re: East coast source for trailer axles & axle parts

Post by Harry van der Meer »

Seadoc, I have been very happy with Champion Trailers. They offer great advise if you need it. I was able to do upgrades such as installing a second axle and SS disc brakes myself. https://www.championtrailers.com/. Good luck!
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1st Sail
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Re: East coast source for trailer axles & axle parts

Post by 1st Sail »

I can't speak for the pre 2000 trailers. IIRC UFP (Universal Functional Products) made leaf spring axles for the steel trailers.
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Tomfoolery
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Re: East coast source for trailer axles & axle parts

Post by Tomfoolery »

I know that Eastern Marine is in Newark, Delaware, and they have a lot of axles and suspension parts and such, including heavy trucks. But that’s a bit of a drive from VA, but perhaps shipping can be reasonable since it’s not the other side of the country.

https://www.easternmarine.com

In an odd coincidence, I actually did CDL training right next door to them, in the little brick building on the corner of Blue Hen Dr. with the big lot behind it. This was in the 70’s, before the national CDL even existed; just license class based on weight and type of truck. I still have that first tractor-trailer license (CDL Class A, now), with a picture of some long haired 12 year old (looking) kid on it, and the street address is that little brick building. :D

Image

Also found an old tv commercial for the school, which I guess had several locations. I took the test in one of those gaudy cabover Kenworths in the commercial. It was a real student grant and loan mill, like many such trade school type places.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdonoQmRIQ8
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Tomfoolery
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Re: East coast source for trailer axles & axle parts

Post by Tomfoolery »

Looks like you'd have to put something together from parts. When I got my trailer, it had (and still has) two mismatched axles. The original rectangular axle, which had a really heavy spring stack with thick leaves (never found any commercial offerings with that thickness), and a more common round-tube axle, but also with 1750 lb leaf spring units. I dismantled them and removed some leaves, and shortened the remaining to even the spacing, so the ride would be softer. I don't need 7000 lb worth of suspension, even though equalization makes the effective spring rate (at low speeds) half of what each individual stack is.

So you may want to keep the 3500 lb rating for each axle and hub, which is good for bearing and tire longevity and commonality of bearings and seals (be SURE to use double-lipped seals), and consider lighter spring sets.

https://www.easternmarine.com/3500-lb-R ... ler-Axles/

https://www.easternmarine.com/3500-lb-R ... ler-Axles/

https://www.easternmarine.com/rockwell- ... -4332-20mc watch the arch height (I don't remember the exact length, but mine are standard, and around 25" long)

Plus shackles, u-bolts, hangers (to weld to the frame), etc.

Mine had the original axle moved forward or back, and the second one added so the mid-point between the axles was where the center of the original axle was. Makes for a light tongue, though - they shoulda set it up so the center was a bit further back, to increase the tongue weight without me having to travel with empty fuel tanks and all my moveable junk in the bow.
Banner_IV
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Re: East coast source for trailer axles & axle parts

Post by Banner_IV »

Another option considering the age and construction quality of original MacGregor trailers would be a new trailer from Venture trailers they are located in Edgemere Maryland just north of Baltimore and I have heard they have previously made trailers for MacGregors

https://www.venturetrailers.com/
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