first time builder questions

[dhafling]

Looking to build a trailer for a BBQ pit for competition. Looking at the 5200 lb axle. If that too much over kill? Pit will weigh under 1500 lbs. would it ride better on the highway being 5200 vs 3500 or no difference? Never built a trailer before. Any thoughts/comments would be welcomed.

[towtruck]

The axle rating can be heavy and you can put a lighter set of springs on it unless you are looking at a torsion type set up. My trailer axle springs are heavier than my weight calls for and I get a pretty stiff ride with it. I added more weight when I rebuilt some of it and one side rides softer than the other now. There are folks that build the pit then figure out what springs to put under it once all the weight is on. That may mean a heavier spring on one side than the other.

I know when my trailer weighed 1400 pounds it rode like a tank. Now at 1600 pounds it's better....but it's not even left to right. It's not bad enough to do anything about.

[Dirtytires]

You can always use less load on a heavier rated axle.

My guess is that it’s also double the price and probably runs 8 lug wheels...which tend to be bigger, more expensive and limited in smaller sizes. The smaller one will fit your needs and will work just fine. If, however, you want to put 8 lug wheels on it to match your one-ton pickup, go bigger.

[Rodcrafter]

I agree with DT, I wouldn't put that much heavier of an axle unless I got it for free with the first set of tires and wheels.

I have made several trailers, my smoker trailer was 3,500# on a 3,500# axle until I upgraded it, now it's on 2- 3,500# axles.

[Dirtytires]

I believe Rodcrafter is being modest. If I remember correctly, he added an extra axle because his smoker size and weight increased....and he carries his own shade tree.

[Rodcrafter]

I don’t know what you mean


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[Pete Mazz]

Most of us think 1/4" steel is thick. RC uses that to wrap his briskets

[mp4]

[emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787]

[dacolson]

Lol. That is a sweet looking rig. I can’t see a trailer under there though. Looks like he just attached wheels to the firebox.

[Rodcrafter]

It was an adventure, my wife calls this one the other woman. I stopped counting hours at 400. You can’t see half the features of this rig in the picture. The WB for example is a double pan GF. Burner and chute on the other side. I can run 100* differential in all the CC. I added the hydraulic system and solar charger last.

Yeah I am a nut!

But I know it


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