If you install a second axle, it is mandatory it has brakes. I would just leave it the way it is and make sure you have a good spare and your current tires are in GREAT shape!

 

I just bought a Pro Line Hybrid with a single axle. I also carry two spares as well as a complete hub assembly.

I have 12" tires Load range E. Not sure what tires you are running now but I would suggest the heavier load range. ( E )

Yes--You will have more piece of mind with two axles, but I agree with bar549.

Don~

 

I didn't realize the second axle made the brakes mandatory, that is is interesting.

Although, even leaving it as a single axle I think I might be adding brakes anyways. I've made it many thousands of miles as is over the years, but my truck is already setup with the controller already, and the cost does not seem to be too much.

Like I said, everything has been working, it's just that with the weather the last few years, every time I go sledding now I'm driving 5 hours minimum instead of my short 1.5 hour jaunts. Leave after work and often pushing midnight on a long day before seeing snow.

Thanks

 

Single axel and carry two spares if you are that worried. I also carry a spare hub assembly packed and ready to go. A nice metal file too incase you need to smooth and gouges on the spindle.

 

Go Fast, the 12 inch tires sound so much better than the 10 inch ones I have. And I always go with the E ratings.

Carrying two spares is easy enough because I always see something on that tires that want to make me replace them before there is any thread issue.

Right now when I doubled checked the size I saw a little cracking on the sidewall, and these are only on the second season.

I do also make sure I take the lug nuts off and grease them every season, hoping it makes a side of the road tire change go a little smoother.

Being in this area, between R&R in Three Rivers, Elkhart and the Indiana land of trailer makers, and a few local sources, I could get a deal on an axle.

Two spares is the minimal way to go for now with these smaller tires,

(and picking up a spare hub is good piece of advice too. Not that I want to be on the side of the road doing it, but good to have with)

..but would a second axle screw up the smooth towing I have now?

Thanks Again everyone.

 

I think dual axles will give you smoother towing. Not sure what the law is regarding brakes if you have dual axles. In Michigan the Secretary of State Office has never questioned me or anyone I know about how many axles you have. We also do not have to have them annually inspected either. We pay $75 and get a permanent plate.

Check out Johnson Surplus in White Pigeon, Michigan for axles. I drive by there a couple of times a week and they have hundreds of axles on their lot. Axles with brakes and without. Pretty sure they are all Dexter axles. Dexter axles are made in Elkhart and Middlebury , Indiana. I believe Lippert Components owns them.

I have galvanized axles with Gal-Dex brakes on my Hybrid. This is the first time I have ever had galvanized axles and brakes and am anxious to see how they weather the elements.

I hear you about being in the trailer epicenter. I live 12 miles from RnR---5 miles from NEO--20 miles from Elkhart, Indiana. I can't drive more than 30 miles in any direction without running in to a trailer manufacturer.

Don~

 

Go Fast, the 12 inch tires sound so much better than the 10 inch ones I have. And I always go with the E ratings.

Carrying two spares is easy enough because I always see something on that tires that want to make me replace them before there is any thread issue.
Right now when I doubled checked the size I saw a little cracking on the sidewall, and these are only on the second season.

I do also make sure I take the lug nuts off and grease them every season, hoping it makes a side of the road tire change go a little smoother.

Being in this area, between R&R in Three Rivers, Elkhart and the Indiana land of trailer makers, and a few local sources, I could get a deal on an axle.

Two spares is the minimal way to go for now with these smaller tires,
(and picking up a spare hub is good piece of advice too. Not that I want to be on the side of the road doing it, but good to have with)

..but would a second axle screw up the smooth towing I have now?
Thanks Again everyone.

put the spare hub in one of the spare tires before you go outthere. You can pop the whole thing on a fast as you can change a tire alone

 

The only state that I know that requires brakes is Minnesota,in the midwest.

 

Some states also figure weight into whether brakes are required on dual axles. I believe my state is one of them.

 

Some states also figure weight into whether brakes are required on dual axles. I believe my state is one of them.

Before the earlier post,

my understanding of the requirements for brakes is it is based strictly on weight. Like I said, I have the biggest trailer that doesn't require brakes (or dual axles to support the weight.)

I'm thinking that by the time you have enough weight you would require dual axles to support it, you are also at the weight limit to need brakes.

I'd be surprised if you were required to put brakes on a 500 pound bike trailer because you added a second axle to it.

 

I'd be surprised if you were required to put brakes on a 500 pound bike trailer because you added a second axle to it.

That sounds correct to me.

 

http://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws

 

Your best bet is to call the Secretary of State office and ask. It will be much cheaper than a ticket.

 

Problem with the Secretary of State where I live---If you call and speak to four different people you will get seven different answers. Usually none of which is correct..

Don~

 

Pa requires brakes and yearly inspection on 2 axle trailers including boats both axles must be braked. NY only if installed with require them on one not both.

 

To get the right tongue weight and correct weight distribution you will also have to move your existing axle. Plus it is not that you added a 2nd axle that means you have to have brakes... it's that the trailer now has the capacity handle more of a load. The higher capacity >3,000lbs requires brakes per MI DOT. See link below. 1-2500 lb axle ok, 2-1500 lb axles ok, 2-2500lb axles... need brakes. Now, you are not a manufacture and highly doubt a DOT state cop is gonna to stop you and check your brakes. So?

I second getting a better and extra spare tire. I changed from bias ply to radial tires with a higher load higher range on my old single axle and towing was way different.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(urklxuawl31zvxqb3getcel4))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-257-705

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

I stopped by a trailer shop that was familiar with this trailer. They were saying the same thing about not just adding an axle, that the first one probably would have to be moved back.

The trailer pulls great now, and I know there is a lot of tongue weight on it. More than was thought of when the trailer was made, since I have a pair of 4 strokes in there, and one is a long track. Neither was common when the trailer was built.

And if anything, I should be able to pull the sleds up a bit to get weight forward if it needed.

As for tires, I was looking at them because of this thread: http://www.dootalk.com/forums/topic/955209-101x12-snopro-hybrid/?p=12486225

I always wanted a larger rim, thinking a larger tire. But the 12 inch rim only has a .9 inch larger tire than the 8 inch rim. The weight rating is a few pounds less on the 12", and the tire it is so much narrower than the 8". The 8" takes 10% more air, but I don't worry about the ride quality of a trailer.

Looking at the pictures makes me feel a little better about the 8 inch rims.

 

The reason others go with larger wheels is the bearings will then spin slower.

 

Keep your bearings dry, clean, and greased and you will be fine. I have plenty of miles towing various diameter tires and don't have any more or less issues with the small diameter.

The problem is guys tow in wet salty conditions all season. Then park them for a year and think a squirt of grease in the bearing buddy will be fine at the start of mext season.

Take them apart every year. You would be surprised what gets in past that rear seal.

 

The problem is guys tow in wet salty conditions all season. Then park them for a year and think a squirt of grease in the bearing buddy will be fine at the start of mext season.

Yes, it gets interesting in the boating world where dunk the wheels to launch.

The freshwater guys really learned their lessons when they moved to Florida. :smile_old:

 

The reason others go with larger wheels is the bearings will then spin slower.

Exactly, spinning slower is what I wanted to accomplish.

But the 12 inch tires are not providing much advantage due to the larger sidewall in the 10 inch tire. The difference in diameter is less than an inch.

So if my math is correct, one spins 988 times per mile, and the other one spins 947 times. Multiply by 85 MPH ( I told you it pulled good..) and you're at 1341 RPM vs 1399 RPM, about a 5% difference.

To me, not enough to difference to move to the skinnier, and (technically) lower rated capacity tires.

Unless there is some BIG advantage to a radial tire in a non-passenger application that I'm not aware of.

I realize a larger sidewall can lead to flex, which could lead to sway. But at 90 psi I have not noticed any issues.

Thanks