Uneven side to side weight => non-level

[trickworm]

Hi there. first post about my first smoker. I've got a tank, firebox and warming oven mounted on my trailer. We mounted it off center like I have seen many do, but it is squatting the mounted side over 1.5" lower than the "unloaded" side. can I use a stronger spring or air bag or something to level out the trailer? We moved the the axle back and have a good tongue is good. We have the smoker loaded to the side so we can walk up into the trailer. I can figure out how to post a pic if that would help. thanks!

[KILLSWITCH505]

welcome to the site i would think about adding helper spring, i don't mean to be a buzz kill but is your axle rated for the weight?

[rlmax02]

Hey trickworm. Check out the king cooker trailer build post and you will see I had the same issue as many do I assume. I ended up putting to extra leafs on the smoker side to level out the trailer. Its really easy to do and should fix you right up!

[Frank_Cox]

I agree with both max and killswitch. I also would like to caution about the axle rating. if the axle is rated for less than the total trailer weight you could risk bearing wear etc. is the trailer very much wider than the smoker? if the smoker is 30" wide lets say and the trailer is 72" wide then i would make for sure the axle is heavy enough. fo instance if the axle is a 2,000 pounder and the smoker weighs 1000 by itself then i would be concerned for that one side being maxed out as far as the capacity.

[The Czar]

......and Frank would know from first hand trials.....

[Tom_Heath]

Welcome to the site, I gotta vote for an extra leaf provided the axle can handle the weight.

And LOL at DC's comment.

[Frank_Cox]

......and Frank would know from first hand trials.....

hahaha, ok you got me!

[trickworm]

you guys were right. i didn't build the trailer and it is a 37" 500gal propane tank on a 72" trailer. i took it to a pro trailer shop i've used for my boat and they said the axle was fine and the spring still had 50% left, but they recommended just upgrading to a 2500lb spring on the tank side to level it all out and not have to worry about spring compression. got the spring but didn't add it today. instead i made a nice looking air inlet door like k.a.m. with the saw tooth locking lever. looks sweet and operates well too. this is my first welding project and I just love it. something about red hot metal and burning a hole in my coat; great fun! (i did get a nice leather welding coat this week to avoid future clothing fires!)

i'll take some pics of the b4 and after to help out any others too. thanks guys!

[Frank_Cox]

sounds great trickworm! good deal on the axle being the right one... save a buck or 2!
good decision on the welding coat also, safety first!

[jwltx]

I have a similar situation. 500 gal with half of a 150 gal as fore box. Homemade trailer. Dexter 3500 lb straight axle. Weighed the completed trailer and smoker which comes in at 2300 lbs. Problem is tank sets off center to left side. Trailer lists to left side and after a 600 mile trip last weekend seems to be putting too much pressure on tire on left side although the rig tows fine. Will be hauling this long distances so need to do something.
Need some feedback. Was wondering if just adding an extra spring to the midpoint of the axle would help. I have never seen this used by a commercial built trailer so wondering if there is some reason not to do this. Other solution is drop out axle and springs for a 6000 lb combo. We mounted the axle and springs to a 2 1/2 " 1/4 " angle iron with is bolted to frame. So would be easy to swap out. Thanks.

[Rodcrafter]

My thoughts are, that if the tire is being maxed out /overloaded, then adding springs won't help the tire. So I would swap it out with a pair of axles, that will be more than enough and never have to wonder if it will make it or not. Done deal!

jm2cw