MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: rockman on May 19, 2013, 10:17:20 AM

Title: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: rockman on May 19, 2013, 10:17:20 AM
Maybe looking at doing some serious mods to my camper , just trying to find out what is a safe / legal / maximum weight you can run on a 50mm single axle without any issues .

Any help would be good

Cheers
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: DannyG on May 19, 2013, 12:53:51 PM
It depends what weight your springs are rated for, the structural integrity of the drawbar and to a lesser extent the chassis, the hitch and its mounting and of course brakes if it is over 750kgs as well as the stubs and the wheels and tyres.

Maybe give us some pics and more details and we might be able to help you a bit more.

Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: prodigyrf on May 19, 2013, 03:54:37 PM
Check out the specs on a Treg HD offroader which is 1.5T ATM rated, fitted with 1.5T springs and a single 2.5T axle and I reckon they've been in the business long enough know what's required to be trouble free-
http://www.tregtrailers.com.au/Trailers/Off_Road_1-5_ton.aspx (http://www.tregtrailers.com.au/Trailers/Off_Road_1-5_ton.aspx)
But you're probably limited by the load rating on tyres described here-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35&s_kwcid=TC (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35&s_kwcid=TC)|21306|tyre%20rating||S|p|23900051528&
and Treg are using 7.50 x 16 x 8 ply light trucks and although you can get higher plys and perhaps more load and speed I'd suggest Treg know from experience there's a tradeoff there somewhere ie stiffer tyres mean more shock load on your suspension and trailer when at some stage(ie over 1.5T) it would be better to add another axle.
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: GeeTee on May 19, 2013, 10:11:08 PM
Maybe looking at doing some serious mods to my camper , just trying to find out what is a safe / legal / maximum weight you can run on a 50mm single axle without any issues .

Any help would be good

Cheers

Maybe you should set yourself a challenge: investigate materials and methods that will make it as light as possible  8)

But in answer to your question, the limit to the hardware is usually the wheel bearings
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: prodigyrf on May 19, 2013, 11:20:14 PM
Hadn't thought about wheel bearing loads but here's some lowdown-
http://www.mullins.com.au/tc-axles-hub-cap-chart.asp (http://www.mullins.com.au/tc-axles-hub-cap-chart.asp)
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: rockman on May 20, 2013, 06:06:50 AM
Maybe you should set yourself a challenge: investigate materials and methods that will make it as light as possible  8)

But in answer to your question, the limit to the hardware is usually the wheel bearings
thanks for the helpful advice
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: kylarama on May 20, 2013, 06:31:00 AM
A 50mm axle is good for 2T with 12" elec brakes.

Check out this page for axle, bearing, brake and wheel diameter for max weights.
http://www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/images/1._axles.pdf (http://www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/images/1._axles.pdf)
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: rockman on May 20, 2013, 09:19:22 AM
A 50mm axle is good for 2T with 12" elec brakes.

Check out this page for axle, bearing, brake and wheel diameter for max weights.
http://www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/images/1._axles.pdf (http://www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/images/1._axles.pdf)


thank you
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: prodigyrf on May 20, 2013, 11:08:28 AM
Notice that Treg offroader has a 'HD 50mm duraflex 2.5 ton axle' and presumably duraflex means a special tensile steel rather than mild steel and hence that higher load rating. That's where buying Asian imports is really pot luck and there was a stunning example of that here-
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=23393.0 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=23393.0) 
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: TOPNDR on May 20, 2013, 11:38:47 AM
The ATM on our Quantum is 2200kg.  Recently there was some communication from the manufacturer warning not to exceed the ATM, in part as the wheel bearing load rating would be exceeded. I think from memory, they're either Holden or Ford bearings.
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: achjimmy on May 20, 2013, 12:05:28 PM
The ATM on our Quantum is 2200kg.  Recently there was some communication from the manufacturer warning not to exceed the ATM, in part as the wheel bearing load rating would be exceeded. I think from memory, they're either Holden or Ford bearings.

Generally Ford bearing now days on 50mm sq axle
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: TOPNDR on May 20, 2013, 01:49:49 PM
Generally Ford bearing now days on 50mm sq axle

AOR designed independent trailing arm, coil spring suspension, with dual shocks per arm!  ;D
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: #jonesy on May 20, 2013, 02:56:35 PM
Legal (Vic)
max is determined by the LESSER of the following, starting at the front.
1.   The vehicle manufacturers listed max twoing capacity.
2.   Tthe max rating for the towbar, ball/hitch
3.   The GVM listed on the trailer compliance plate.

and brakes for 750kg GVM and over.

I would contact your local Qld registration and seek their advice.

as already listed things to consider, axle, bearings, springs, tyres etc. 
Don't go near the max on any of those as you need to allow for dynamic weight, i.e. braking, cornering potholes etc
Title: Re: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: rockman on May 20, 2013, 03:19:35 PM
manufacturer : me
axle : 50mm square
hitch : tregg 3.5tonne
chassis : 75 series landcruiser ute chassis
rims : 80 series steel gxl rims
tyres : 285/75/16 BFG KM2's
bearings : parallel
springs : 10 leaf landcruiser springs reset to suit the camper
current weight : approx 1.5 tone set up ready to go camping
Title: max weight camper on single axle
Post by: DannyG on May 20, 2013, 03:42:42 PM
Your bearings are your final weight dictator then from what I can see of your setup.
I could be wrong but I think they are 2 tonne?