We’re all aware that an axle among the most vital elements of any trailer however, what exactly is it other than an axle shaft that connects two wheels with the frame.
The parts of the trailer or running gear – suspension, brakes, and axles are an essential part of your journey and require regular maintenance and inspections and it is essential to be comfortable with the components.
Let’s climb under your trailer and look over the axle.
The fundamental axle is a square or round shaft (it’s probably round on lighter caravans and trailers). It’s usually attached to the surrounding area with wheels turning around it.
Beam axles come in different styles. The straight beam is the most basic and popular one, which is used mostly for trailers for boats and homes.
The brake beam axle called an overlay On the other hand is a stub axle that has been that are welded to the structural beam. This results in lowering the height of the trailer which allows for greater stability and less wind resistance.
Brakes
Trailers that weigh more than a certain amount are legally required to be equipped with brakes. If your axle is equipped with brakes it will be possible to observe the brakes on the side facing the hub face, which is usually connected via an flange for brakes.
Suspension
The most basic axles do not have added suspension features, however most likely, your caravan or trailer will come with either rubber or leaf spring torsion suspension.
Leaf springs, such as ones like the Rocker Roller spring leaf suspension system are attached using U bolts that are attached to the axle close to the hub of wheels. It is crucial to place them not close enough to the hub of the wheel that they touch the tyre, however not too far away that they cause a leverage issue, potentially leading to the axle bending.
Some axles are equipped with suspension features, like the independent rubber Suspension axle which is an axle tube that is hexagonal, housing rubber components held to the ground by an internal tube. The suspension movement that occurs between bumps and rebound forces rubber components, thereby reducing the impact from road-related shocks.
It’s clear that “axles” aren’t really axles”. Although they all serve the role that connects them to trailers, some also offer neural pathways to brake and suspension and make a huge difference in your experience when towing.
Do you think it is time to improve your brakes for the trailer you drive? Electric brakes may be the solution.
