How to make your trailer BETTER & STRONGER

[IronCobra]

So today I decided to stop by two business in McAllen Tx while down here on business. The first one is a trailer/axle store. I asked the owner what it would cost to improve the safety of my trailer. He had several recommendations that weren't all that expensive. He said that these modifications would easily allow the trailer to improve its tow ability, safety, and payload the right way.

He quoted me for swapping out my twin Lipper 4400lb axles for 7000lb dexter axles/brakes/hubs. He quoted me to replace all the leaf springs and mounting equipment with commerical grade components. And boy were the commerical parts much beefier. Also quoted me on moving to a 16" G rated tire and wheel.

Prices:
Axle Replacment: $1800 total (including new hubs, brakes, springs and hardware installed)
16 Alum Wheels/g rated LT tires: $1700 total installed

I then went to a metal fab business and asked what they could do. They actually make boat and utility trailers and understand just how thin and cheap our frames are. They advised using 1/4" fully boxed aluminum 8" beam that should be bolted alongside the factory frame rails and reinforced in areas.

Prices quoted:
60'x8"x2" marine grade Aluminum structural boxed frame rail rated at 11,000lbs: $1400
Installation and hardware: $1000

Pretty cool upgrades I'm actually considering.

[Night Stone]

Don't forget by doing this you are changing the dry weight of your trailer. Hopefully your TV can handle and pull the additional weight. It might work well on my trailer and TV combo, as I have a ultra light and a dually.

[ependydad]

The problem with these is what is the next weakest link? Say you add 500-1,000 pounds to the trailer's dry weight (purely a made up numbers); do you have the cargo carrying capacity still left for your stuff? I know Lou/Herk asked engineers at a prior FROG Rally and he was told that the targeted GVWR comes into play with the construction of even the walls.

As it stands, I'm actually getting new wheels and springs for my camper on Thursday. I didn't jump up in axle size (7k up to 8k), though I debated it.