I need opinion/thoughts on this (trailer mod)

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by crocky, Nov 11, 2019.

  1. crocky

    crocky Road Train Member

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    I bought what is called a "low boy" trailer. It's roughly 37ft with a dove tail and it's 102" wide with exception of where the fenders are.. My thought behind this trailer is I live in FL and there is no way around me needing to haul cars/equipment and I didn't want to try to load cars on a normal flat deck.

    After running a bit I am hauling cars but they don't pay as much as I expected so it has to be the right load. However what I've found is those fenders greatly hinder my options at freight. I spend far too much time looking for the "right size load or calling up broker trying to get the dimensions of a load to see if it will fit between the rear fenders..

    Now I will say I absolutely love this trailer it's made by Traxx and it's the best pulling trailer I've ever had. Has the torque tube under it and is smooth as can be hauling down the road. For the record it's way better built than the similar Load Trail trailers..

    Anyway I want to raise my trailer and get rid of the rear fenders. due to the dove tail and it's angle I can raise the trailer and simply use 10ft aluminum ramps to get the angle back vs my current 7ft ramps.

    Anyway after looking everything over, I believe if I simply flip my axles and mount the axles under the leaf springs instead on on top it will give me all the clearance I need. Can anyone give me any reason as to why it would be a bad idea to put the axles under the leaf springs vs how they are now on top?

    I've attached some pictures to show what I'm talking about, but I believe simply by putting the axles under the leaf springs I will gain enough height to eliminate the rear fenders or at worst case just have little humps. Anyone see anything wrong with this idea?
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Nov 11, 2019
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  3. crocky

    crocky Road Train Member

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    ok, since no one seems to have an opinion.. Does anyone have a trailer with Dexter 7k axles where the axles are mounted under the leaf springs or are they always mounted on top?
     
  4. 86mechanic

    86mechanic Medium Load Member

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    Shouldn't be a problem to flip the axles, it's done all the time on travel trailers.
    You would need another bracket that fits on the leaf spring pin and weld it on top of the axle.
     
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  5. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Have you thought of building a set of ramps the same height or slightly higher than the fenders?
     
  6. crocky

    crocky Road Train Member

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    I don't need ramps I need flat deck space
     
  7. crocky

    crocky Road Train Member

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    Yeah the pin is part of what I'm curious about because I'd need the pin on the bottom of the leaf spring if I reversed the axles.
     
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  8. 86mechanic

    86mechanic Medium Load Member

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    The pin goes all the way through the springs so you should be fine if you either get a second bracket or cut this one off and move it.
     
  9. jeffman164

    jeffman164 Medium Load Member

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    Just curious if the handling would be different. If I am understanding correctly , the center of gravity would be higher.
     
  10. crocky

    crocky Road Train Member

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    Well any change of height will effect the center of grav.. but the trailer deck will still be way lower than a traditional flat bed trailer, due to the design of the trailer.
     
  11. singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    Can you just stack some 8' 4x4 dunnage in front of & behind the fenders. Then cut 2 at 83" or whatever the width is between the fender & you'll be able to clear that area. Pre drill them & carry a screw gun to screw them together when you need to stack them so they won't topple over.. Also them fenders should be "drive over". They are strong enough to carry weight down the road..
    2_5b638d4fef95eed3a03705252e330b6d_t.jpeg.jpg 2_94598b04bee56fdf70df6df445c64271_t.jpeg.jpg
     
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