HOW TO ACCURATELY PLACE AND SQUARE TRAILER AXLES ] Step by Step instructions

In this video, I show you how to ACCURATELY PLACE AND SQUARE TRAILER AXLES with detailed step by step instructions on how to locate and square your trailer axle.
Follow along as I install a single axle on a utility trailer and explain in detail what I am doing as I progress and why.
I explain how to square the axle to the frame of the trailer and how to square the axle to the hitch, so in case you made some errors getting the frame square, this video will show you HOW TO MAKE THE AXLE PERFECTLY ALIGNED with the tow vehicle!
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[@user-cp6cu6tq8f]

My boat trailer eats tires...3 sets in 4 years! :( Called a shop that does this and they want $150 to align it. SO this 75 year old is blessed to have come across this video!! I'm going to attempt to do it my ole self...not sure how to get the boat off and on again, but i'm tired...lol

[@BrandonLund]

You got this! Even if you decide not to do the work youreself, At least you can verify and check to see if it's out of square.

[@landybob8393]

Great video. Thank you for doing a how to video with a good explanation. There’s a lot of people that don’t understand the concept of a how to video. Thank you again

[@BrandonLund]

You're very welcome! Thank you :)

[@bossman6174]

I am about to build a single axle 5x8 trailer and these tips were really help full. Didn't know how to align and was concerned about tire wear and fish tailing. This will ease my concerns . Thanks man.

[@BrandonLund]

Glad it helped! Good luck!

[@americancastles]

Brandon, You explained it perfectly! Thank you

[@BrandonLund]

Thank you and I appreciate your support!

[@CRHalliday]

Awesome video! Well explained, easy to follow!

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks man glad you enjoyed it!

[@gatonegro8800]

I recently purchased a used 4x8 utility trailer and realized that it was originally a 4x6 that was extended 2 extra feet, however when they extended it, the failed to recognize that the axle position should also have been adjusted to meet the 60\40 rule, thanks to your video, I now have the courage to make this adjustment myself. Your video is extremely easy to follow. Cheers from San Antonio, TX.

[@BrandonLund]

Thank uou very much @GATO NEGRO good luck with your project!

[@gary2goins]

Great video, easy to follow

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks Gary!

[@rusiancoco]

great video, my man. i'm about to turn an old camper into a tiny home and i'm going to be adding to the length of the bed. this is my guide to making sure i reattach the axles correctly. you've helped another!!

[@BrandonLund]

Thats awesome Joe. Keep your tongue weight around 150 and it will tow like a dream and won't sway all over the road like you see some trailers doing.

[@rusiancoco]

@@BrandonLund thanks, man. i might come back and comment some more if i have any questions.

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks Man! Anytime!

[@joelalleman9591]

thanks Brandon , I'm rebuilding a utility trailer that I purchased a long time ago and it wasn't built with the axle centered in the opening of the frame properly for up and down tire travel and it is a deck over style trailer . Your explanation of axle alignment will help me get the axle dead on to my tongue !! Thanks !!!

[@BrandonLund]

Right on! Good luck!

[@MehranMNIA]

Thanks for the tips. Very helpful.

[@BrandonLund]

Your welcome and thanks for watching!

[@omarcurbelo5342]

Very much appreciated. Good video. Thank you

[@BrandonLund]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DirtRoadLanding]

Fantastic advice, Thank You!!!

[@BrandonLund]

Glad it was helpful!

[@americanboathead5390]

Thanks for this!!

[@BrandonLund]

Glad I could help!

[@agrey8110]

Great job explaining it.

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks! @A Grey

[@bobmcwilliams5985]

Thanks guy. Very helpful

[@BrandonLund]

Thank you Bob!

[@MichaelSmith-dg3kr]

Brandon, I'm just discovering some old vids, and I like them. Keep up the good work.

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks, will do!

[@jllanesphoto]

Thanks Sir, Great job...

[@BrandonLund]

Thank you!

[@emomuzz5883]

You just saved me countless hours of frustration and wasted time. Thank you!

[@BrandonLund]

@Emo Muzz glad I could help! 👍

[@conradnaegle107]

Ton of help thanks man

[@BrandonLund]

Glad I could help! @Conrad Naegle

[@rwd0000]

Great video. Well done

[@BrandonLund]

Thank you very much!

[@hurcellwilson212]

Well done sir. Excellent video.ty

[@BrandonLund]

Very welcome

[@bobbyscoggins3160]

Thank You Been really Helpful..

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks Bobby!

[@mysterybabylonsoontofall3387]

Great info, thanks 😊

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks for watching!

[@kingtut5923]

Very nice and this is important.

[@BrandonLund]

@KING TUT right on! thanks man! 👍🙏

[@mcmuskie2563]

I’ve built trailers over the years and although I always build them properly I never did measure from the Tongue to the Axle Ends! I’m about to build a ATV trailer, I will measure and center properly, thank you!!!

[@BrandonLund]

My OCD tends to get the best of me sometimes but this will give you peace of mind.

[@danbarosh2942]

thx for reminder...well done

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks Dan!

[@PB-ls6tn]

Good explanation!

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks! 😁

[@specialized29er86]

An interesting looking old school car axle.

[@matthastings7224]

Excellent video 👍👍👍👍👍

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks Matt i appreciate it!

[@seanceschia-realestatebrok4466]

Well done. Thanks

[@BrandonLund]

Thank you too!

[@webber977]

Good sound advice, 👍👍

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks 👍

[@Loompius]

Great video

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks!

[@ZachMontizor]

Great vid Mahalo 🤙

[@BrandonLund]

Thank you!

[@fixit4182]

Great teaching my dumb ass how to do what I need to do. Thank you

[@BrandonLund]

You bet! Thank for watching!

[@227lazer]

Good video

[@BrandonLund]

Thank you!

[@Channel-yq6qy]

I built adventure trailer with a rooftop tent a little while back and only did step 1 (I'll admit I didn't know what I was doing). Trailer tracks and tows just fine but is eating tires. After watching your video at least I have a good starting point to work from. Have a 2000 mile trip coming up in 3 days and don't want to donate a set of tires to the highway.

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks man. Glad i could help. Safe travels!

[@Jerbrown]

Thanks

[@BrandonLund]

Glad to help!

[@shrek22]

Wouldnt you bring the opposite side an 1/8 of an inch, not the side u showed. Be less than 81 and 1/4 the way u showed? Thx great vid.

[@lloqalla]

thanks, that was great. good to know that I need the tongue in the mix at this stage and can't just bring it in later...

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks man! 👍

[@headpainter1]

Great video! Thanks. I think my tongue is slightly bent because trailer sways loaded or unloaded. I'm checking this out first. Much appreciated!

[@BrandonLund]

It could be, but what your describing sounds like your axle is too far ahead.

[@mcmuskie2563]

I added a Trolling Motor to the front of my 16’ boat recently, it’s 70 lbs. it added significant weight to the tongue. I used a bathroom scale as you suggested. I moved the boat back 6” on the trailer and that took off 80lb, I now have 118lbs of tongue weight which works for me, it was closer to 250. Easy to do and now the weights not all on my truck. Doesn’t bounce as much anymore either…

[@BrandonLund]

Excellent! Glad I could help!

[@dankorethoski7458]

Great video can u center the axcel with the hub s on?

[@BrandonLund]

Yes you can!

[@johnjacob6774]

Thank you so much for this video do you think bolting the hangers to the frame along with welding is a good idea?

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks John! I cant see that it would hurt.

[@ivanvujadinovic9905]

Can you do the same measurements without flipping the trailer over? I am trying to relocate my axle, on a heavy 12x6.5 trailer, as the company who built it placed it at ~30/70 ratio and that is way too much weight on the hitch. Thanks!

[@BrandonLund]

Yes. Just make sure your tape is straight and you are measuring in the same place every time.

[@gatonegro8800]

I see that an earlier part of your video one of the cross beams was in the way of the rear hanger brackets would have to be secured, I'm assuming you just removed it and adjusted the spacing accordingly?

[@BrandonLund]

Thats correct! 👍

[@claytonhansen7609]

At the end of video after all is welded do you tighten the bolts on the axle,or leave slightly loose.ty

[@BrandonLund]

I tighten everything down once the bolts are through the hangers.

[@GreenMtnHunter]

Excellent video, super easy to follow - One question: I recently read on a mfg’s (etrail--)site that you should weld the hanger brackets along the side of the bracket , and not across the main beam because it’s a higher stress point. While that seems contradictory to me - welds make the steel stronger(?) - I am no expert - just wondering about other thoughts on the topic.

[@BrandonLund]

Thank you very much. I've heard that also but I've also seen commercial trailer manufacturers doing it both ways also. I don't know if there is a right or wrong. More weld is usually better in my opinion.

[@GreenMtnHunter]

@@BrandonLund It has just dawned on me that those trailers (at other site) were aluminum - even more I know nothing about, but it’s potentially a factor in that technique. All mine are steel and were welded (by others) as you have described.

[@claytonhansen7609]

I have a 8x10 double wide snowmobiles single axle was off of it replaced some bolts had some frame fixing to do.what would be proper placement of the axle.

[@BrandonLund]

I would set it to have about 100 lbs to tongue weight empty or another formula is 10%. So if the total trailer weighs 1000 lbs empty than the weight at the tongue would be 100 lbs. Before you fully weld it, it might not be a bad idea to load the sleds and verify. This time it would be trailer weight + sled weight and use that total for 10% tongue weight.

[@EduardoJimenez-rk8nw]

👍👍

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks man

[@durangodave]

i am 1/16 off after torquing the ubolt hangers to 40 ft pounds, is 1/16 acceptable? i am measuring from hub mount to edge of first ubolt

[@BrandonLund]

Your all set. a 1/16 won't hurt anything 👍

[@johannowerko7726]

i have 4x6 trailer how far back from centre can i go with single axle thanking you. you are good and patient

[@BrandonLund]

However far back you need so you have the proper tongue weight.

[@johannowerko7726]

thank you BRANDON from australia

[@BrandonLund]

Glad I could help!

[@johannowerko7726]

thank you Brandon was not sure about axle distance.now i am building a pto driven horizontal rock cutter stump grinder attached to my massey ferguson 240 tractor

[@zacharywinters9413]

And hell yeah you got it bro measure twice cut once measure five times tack it down once ha ha but yeah you’re right simple squares and triangles

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks man!

[@JayDee-xj9lu]

Measure with a micrometer then mark it with a crayon then cut it with a axe. 😁

[@BrandonLund]

Hahahahaha or that lol🤣🤣🤣

[@jdimeo1966]

So are you stating that the 60% is measured from the front of the trailer (cargo area) and not the tongue, correct?

[@BrandonLund]

Correct

[@RobinRK1962]

You had to move the axle back a 1/16" and recheck

[@BrandonLund]

You can't check and recheck enough. Its a lot easier to tack things together and get it perfect at this stage than it is to say "close enough" and fully weld it. Taking your time here pays off

[@j.r.alexander9841]

I put a new axle on a little camper trailer. Checked all measurements several times. Only 1 tire gets uneven wear, the other wears perfectly. I can't figure out why- it seems as if the axle wasn't square, both tires would wear unevenly. Thanks for your video.

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks for sharing and your welcome

[@j.r.alexander9841]

@@BrandonLundany idea why only one tire would be wearing?

[@BrandonLund]

It your axle is measuring up square, it sounds like you have a bad / bent axle, bad wheel bearing or a bent wheel.

[@dustinclark8186]

Where did u find those spindles. Pls give me info

[@dustinclark8186]

I need those bolt on spindles what are they from

[@BrandonLund]

They were on the original trailer. They look to be a rear axle from a mini van. They had emergency brake cables so I stripped everything except for the spindles.

[@muzikayifanimazibuko3314]

Can you sho step by step from instoling springs. Please man

[@BrandonLund]

I have a playlist showing all of the details in this build

[@GazEdwards8690]

Hi is it 60% from the hitch or trailer body

[@BrandonLund]

@Gaz edwards the center of the ball mount to the axle centerline.

[@willardlee7446]

I hear that when you weld hangers, you're supposed to weld front to back or vice versa, not weld across. Do you agree?

[@BrandonLund]

I've seen it done both ways. I'm sure someone has written a specific procedure somewhere but I have never had a problem and I've built quite a few trailers. Most manufacturers that I have seen weld them like I did here.

[@kakman1958]

I've read the same thing in multiple places, never weld across the longitudinal members.

[@BrandonLund]

@kakman1958 i would never discourage anyone from doing something the way they feel is best. We have a national trailer manufacturer close by and thats how they weld theirs also. I've built quite a few trailers that have been heavily abused with heavy equipment and never had a failure. I cant say if one way is better than another but most seem to do it the way i did here including many pickup trucks have the sping hangers weldes as i did here alao

[@jackspratt4343]

Are you usuing wire AND gas welding ? Or is it just the wire ? Thanks

[@BrandonLund]

Just wire. I usually don't use gas when working outside.

[@jackspratt4343]

@@BrandonLund Thanks for the answer. I have an inverter wire welder so I will give that a go. Ta.

[@BrandonLund]

Good luck! 👍

[@jackspratt4343]

@@BrandonLund Thanks Brandon .I'm building a trailer for a rather large helicopter. Your videos are helping me alot.

[@BrandonLund]

@jackspratt4343 I appreciate that! Thank you

[@fleaniswerkhardt4647]

The bit where you explain how to set the position of the axle on a tandem trailer wasn't clear to me. are you saying that you put a bathroom scale under the hitch and move the front axle back and forward till the scales register 35kg or so? Does this mean that the back axle is not yet on the trailer - and you are only dealing with the front axle? And where do you put the back axle once you've located the spot to put the front axle? In my own case the trailer will be only 8' x 6' - so where would be the best positions for the axles?

[@BrandonLund]

Yes, that is how you do it. For dual axle trailers you want both axles under the trailer with the equalizer part attached (thats the piece that connects between the front axle and back axle). Then you slide the axles front or back until you have the correct hitch weight on the scale. The trailer should be level so you will need a block of wood from the trailer coupler down to the bathroom scale.

[@johnsellers2999]

Fleanis Werkhardt I'm just wondering why you are using two axles on an 8' trailer?seems like it's an overkill ,plus so short of trailer seems to me not gonna be enough room for two axles. Not trying to sound like a smart ass,I could be wrong for sure. But would like to know if you did eventually use two axles on trailer you wrote about. Thanks for an answer

[@fleaniswerkhardt4647]

@@johnsellers2999 It's for a 2500kg skid steer loader. Obviously a single axle isn't going to tolerate that sort of weight. I already had the 2,4m tray . BTW - I have seen a 6' trailer with dual axles.

[@johnsellers2999]

Fleanis well that certainly answers my question. Yea skidsteers definitely have the weight. Thank you for getting back to me with an answer. Peace brother.

[@johnsellers2999]

Fleanis looking back at your question to Brandon I would say you put your second axle where ever you can fit it behind the first one as I'm pretty sure not much room to put anywhere else lol ,there I go again with my mouth getting me in trouble. Yea those skid steers do pack some serious weight into a small package. Thanks again for the reply. Peace

[@muzikayifanimazibuko3314]

How to instill back hangers

[@BrandonLund]

Once you have the fronts tacked on the backs go where they land.

[@dustinclark8186]

How wide is axel

[@BrandonLund]

Approximately 40" It appears as thought it might have been cut and sectioned.

[@eddieforbess6293]

Some people might not realize when squaring a frame or anything, that you only move it half of the difference. The axle was out 1/8 so you moved it 1/16. You left that out.

[@BrandonLund]

Great point!

[@gcflower99]

Eddie, you may want to watch again...that's exactly what he showed and said.

[@eddieforbess6293]

@@gcflower99 my bad he did say that. I was just trying to help out. He did a great job!

[@ritchiedickey9667]

@@eddieforbess6293 I agree with you Eddie, he only states that he does but not why. Explaining WHY you only move half the distance would make it clearer.

[@BrandonLund]

MORE WELDING AND FABRICATION VIDEOS HERE:kzbin.info/aero/PLfbf78fMz9Vol0uX2-GNc6mLi75zpqb5f LEARN HOW TO WELD VIDEOS HERE:kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3XEYnxpZp56gJI

[@chriscox5568]

That squaring was wrong. You had 81-3/8" measurement on the first side you checked. The other side was 81-1/4" making that side the short side. You were supposed to push the axl backward 1/16" of an inch to 81-5/16" and the first side should be 81-5/16" to when you go back and check it again. I was a fitter and mig welder in super huge special fabricating shops so I know what I'm talking about. You doing good, you just made a mistake and I know you installed it correctly. The only thing is, you didn't tell the people you made the mistake but made it right. Remember, there's only one that never makes a mistake. To admit making a mistake makes you human and humble.

[@BrandonLund]

That explains why it goes down the road at a 45 degree angle. I thought the frame was bent. Thanks for straightening it out and I'm glad that was your takeaway from the video 👍

[@jonathanweston2448]

If we’re talking about making mistakes keeping us human and humble…. then check your spelling. “measrement”.

[@chriscox5568]

That was a really good how to video. Most people don't realize what's involved in the fabrication process of building a trailor. Good job. 😃

[@waynenocton]

I just bought a brand new 5x8 enclosed trailer and the axle is so crooked, I can see the entire side of the trailer from the drivers mirror, and can see none of the other side from the same position in the passenger seat. Also, the tire sticks out big time past the fender on the drivers side. It’s so bad you can see it’s crooked just by looking straight on at the wheels. Brand new trash.

[@BrandonLund]

Thats crazy! Well now you will have a good idea of what to look for and you'll get an idea of how far it's out. You might be able to get away with just cutting one side loose and squaring it up that way.

[@waynenocton]

@@BrandonLund yep, thinking along the same lines, except I’m a touch heavy on the tongue weight so I will likely move the whole thing forward. Shouldn’t be a bad job, I have a lift and all the tools I need.

[@gschady]

"k?" listen now "k?" .. sip your beer every time he says "k?" .. you'll NEVER finish the video "k?"

[@ep9360]

What?

[@BrandonLund]

HUH

[@terryjennings2356]

You lost me at bathroom scale.

[@BrandonLund]

@Terry Jennings You need a way to measure downward force at the trailer tongue. Whatever tool you have to measure weight will work. Bathroom scales are cheap so that's what I use.

[@herbertvonsauerkrautunterh2513]

Oh man, 3/8, a 16th of an inch.. you've lost me. I went to buy bolts for my trailer and the guy asked me what size. I said 12x1.5 maybe. He looked at me stupid. We only have 9/16 or half inch. Omg very stupid. Metric people, metric... 🤔

[@BrandonLund]

Hahahahaha i feel your pain lol 😆 👍

[@berniepokorski6608]

Great Video! I am rebuilding A Demco Karkaddy SS tow dolly ( with a two--piece folding tongue assembly)that was the victim of a jackknife accident. The front half of the hinged tongue assembly was bent severely in the accident, and I have just replaced that piece. Preliminary triangulation from the centerline of the spindle kingpins to the front centerline of the ball hitch release lever shows a deflection of 7/8". I have built trailers before, and I always got the triangulation perfectly matched. From what I know, and what you have said in this video, it appears that I may have to also replace the rear half of the tongue assembly, which bolts into the tow dolly rear axle assembly. Placing a straight edge along the sides of the rear tongue shows a definite difference in the profile between the two vertical sides of that part. To give you a clear picture of what I am working on, page # 22 at the following link shows the parts breakdown of the tow dolly that I am working on: cdn.demco-products.com/documents/Manuals/RD20025.pdf

[@BrandonLund]

Those are really nice to have and they dont come cheap. It sounds like it shouldn't be too difficult to straigten.

[@namnha4582]

Fantastic.

[@BrandonLund]

Thanks!

[@lalon8721]

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