So ive got a trailer frame that i can get for free... basically its a large snowmobile trailer. My intentions are to reinforce it to haul my crx to/from the track... Given the car is sub-2000lbs do you think it is even remotely save to use a single axle trailer to haul it with? Any input would be great... thanks guys

 

It all depends on the ratings of the axle on the trailer. Ive dealt with a couple snowmobile trailers and none of them were car worthy. The thing is, even if the axle can take the weight of car with it handle the stress of hitting a bump in the road? Another thing is the swaying of the trailer at speed. My home built 6' x 12' trailer uses an old pickup axle. I have hauled up to 1400lbs and it was scary at 70mph. If the trailer starts swaying you have to pull out of it VERY carefully. Just hitting the brakes makes it worse. Personally I would never haul my baby on the back of a light duty trailer. Just think about something going wrong and a wreck happens where someone gets killed. Can you retro-fit another axle on that thing?

 

your homemade trailer sways at higher speeds because your tongue weight is incorrect. either too much tongue weight or not enough could cause this. the axle should be placed at the 60/40 point of the trailer

 

I cannot completely argue with that. What I can say is I have hauled ALOT of stuff on it. There have been times when most of the weight was ahead of the axle, times when most of it is behind the axle and, most preferably, times when the weight is right over the axle. The trailer sways no matter where the weight is. The biggest difference has been after a added the shocks. When I first built it I was in a hurry and left them off. Just recently I put them on and noticed a very much improved ride.

And by the way, the axle is almost exactly at the 60/40 split (within 1 1/2").

 

I tow a 2 ton boat and just added surge brakes to the trailer....HUGE difference. I would recommend surge brakes or electric brakes to anyone if you're towing a car.

 

I wouldn't even think of towing without brakes. Then again I use an Odyssey to tow

If the axle is a 3500 lbs axle, you should be okay. Trailer parts are not expensive though, and for a couple hundred more dollars you could have a second axle, easier suspension and a ton more peace of mind.

 

Yea trailers are pretty simple to build...even from scratch. Just make sure you check local ordinances whether or not a homebuilt trailer can be registered.

 

yeah... im from maine... i could probably drag it down the road with no axles, and still be a-ok.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1990crxsir &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I cannot completely argue with that. What I can say is I have hauled ALOT of stuff on it. There have been times when most of the weight was ahead of the axle, times when most of it is behind the axle and, most preferably, times when the weight is right over the axle. The trailer sways no matter where the weight is. The biggest difference has been after a added the shocks. When I first built it I was in a hurry and left them off. Just recently I put them on and noticed a very much improved ride.

And by the way, the axle is almost exactly at the 60/40 split (within 1 1/2").</TD></TR></TABLE>

i duno i wouldnt have thuoght shocks would have made that much difference under a load. im 17 and i built probably 5 dual axle trailers when i was shop class. never had any problem with them swaying but i have expeirenced it pulling a boat. very scary

 

Another thing working against me is the fact the leaf springs are about as useless as strips of cardboard. I remember when I still drove the truck before I tore it apart. One day as I was changing the rear shocks on it I toke it out for a drive while no shocks were on it "just to see what would happen". It was all spongy and swayed alot. Thinking back on that I should have put two and two together and put the shocks on right away.

I have never experienced the swaying while pulling my boat. The boat trailer is also a homebuilt. The only difference is I bought the axle made specifically for it. Even though the axle itself is alot lighter duty than the truck axle, the springs are much more durable.

To the OP.....

Don't skimp on the durability of the trailer. If your snowmobile trailer is big enough to fit a car you may just need to strengthen the frame. Also you may want to replace the axle or even add another. My homebuilt trailers are not "legal" when it comes to registration, but only because the do not enforce the laws on that here. Safety should be your main concern.