Brainstorming: Building an aluminum Dually Axle Car Hauler

[[memphis]]

This is just a pipe dream but I remember the scorpion style trailers back on the old site. If I wanted to build a purpose built trailer that could also work as a utility trailer from time to time is it crazy to think I could build it out of aluminum?

I am thinking a 14 bolt dually axle with the guts removed, probably shave it excessively to cut down on the amount of fluid needed to keep the bearings lubed, I could cut the shafts off and use them as “hub caps”. Change the mounts to spring under to lower the deck height. But I know nothing about aluminum car haulers. Are they a bit of a hybrid of steel and aluminum? Anyone make one?

Do they basically weigh the same as steel because you need to beef up the wall thickness?

 

[Bebop]

How would you handle the brakes with a 14 bolt axle ?
Why not use a trailer dually axle ?

I don't think aluminum is a bad idea at all.

 

[[memphis]]

How would you handle the brakes with a 14 bolt axle ?
Why not use a trailer dually axle ?

I don't think aluminum is a bad idea at all.

I was thinking drum w. Surge brakes or I’m sure there is some electric actuator I could use to push on a master cylinder of some sort

 

[flexy flatty]

It seems like kind of a big workaround to save weight by using aluminum just to gain a bunch back using a 14 bolt. It might be better to at least weld the spindles from a 14 bolt onto a straight piece of tubing to drop some unnecessary weight.

 

[[memphis]]

It seems like kind of a big workaround to save weight by using aluminum just to gain a bunch back using a 14 bolt. It might be better to at least weld the spindles from a 14 bolt onto a straight piece of tubing to drop some unnecessary weight.

One issue is cost and availability of material, to purchase that amount of axle tube would be horrendous. I recently tried to buy 2.75” OD .50” wall DOM for my D44 builds and the material was $700!!! I resorted to cutting up axles instead because nobody wants a D44 😂

What you said totally makes sense... but I’d probably be better off starting with two standard trailer axles vs. re-tubing... I think? I imagine a dually trailer axle isn’t economical?

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

;n281985]Do they basically weigh the same as steel because you need to beef up the wall thickness?

Pretty much. Sure you can make stuff lighter, like airplanes, if you put millions into design and use custom parts.

If you're just goobering together aluminum tube/channel/angle it's gonna weight the same as steel. As a bonus with aluminum you get to look forward to stress cracking and the difficulties of welding on "used" aluminum that's contaminated with all the shit the road throws at it.

My opinion is galvanized steel is the way to go. If you build a trailer with galvanizing in mind it's a simple process. You're a lot closer to the galvanizing kettles than I am.

Edit: Also, why would you choose dually instead of tandem axles. Tandems ride a million times better because of the walking beam action of the equilizer (triangle thing between leafs).

 

[Phil]

10k dually axle with electric brakes for $1200 https://www.southwestwheel.com/c-1260-10000-lbs-dual-wheel-dexter-trailer-axles.aspx

5200 axles with brakes for just over $600 each https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Axles-tw-Electric_Brakes-gw-5200_lbs.aspx

probably a total wash in price if you are buying all new shit, save $50 buying a single larger axle, spend more on suspension parts buying the tandem gear, but its cheaper because it is lighter, you still need four wheels and tires and the dually set probably cost more, unless you find and run cheap truck takeoffs