Trailer repair

Trailer Damage (March 2005)

History: The trailer was lent out to someone who was going to collect sand from a sand/stone distributor. They loaded the trailer with at least twice the recommended weight limit. One tyre was shredded not 100m from where the trailer was loaded. The axel is bent as well as other major parts and the other tyre also needs replacing.

Status: Project complete - The trailer axel weight limit is 750kg but the frame was designed to carry only 500kg (including the trailer) With the extra strengthening it should now take at least 600-650kg.

Repairs: The axel and two wheel/tyres were replaced as well as straightening and strengthening of the frame.

A quick glance shows the top surface of the trailer slightly bent.

Picture 1 A quick glance shows the top surface of the trailer slightly bent.	Picture 2 On closer inspection one can see the inside of the tyre has been rubbed away. This is due to the axel being bent. The top side of the tyre is no longer away from the body of the trailer.
Picture 3 If you look closely the axel shaft (the square tube to the left) is bent. Just about all the other metal parts are bent too.	Picture 4 The chassix is bent.
Picture 5 Another close up of the bent chassix.	Picture 6 Bent parts on the other side!
Picture 7 Very small gap between the wheel and the tyre. When the trailer was overloaded there was no gap! The tyre on the otherside was completely shreaded!	Picture 8 You can see the wheel is bent inwards.
Picture 9 Same on the otherside

Time to Repare

The start! Looks good from a distance.	I removed one of the wheel arches so it wouldn't be bent when I turned the trailer over.
Axel removed, frame removed.	Frame, not much too it. Problem is the frame is designed only to take approx. 550kg the axel can take 750kg!
I had to take photos of the axel because I'm looking for a replacement.	Close up of the bent frame
Close up of the bent axel	The frame has now been straightened and then strengthened by an extra metal sleeve. Extra metal plates had to be welded on to bring the whole frame up top the same level.
Frame sprayed with Zink paint for rust protection.	Coming together - nearly looks like a trailer again. A few bolts had to be replaced and in some cases re-drilled. The axel was replaced with a new one as it was too difficult and risky repairing the old one.
This bracket had to be re-drilled as the new metal sleeve misaligned the holes.	I had to hang the trailer up to drill and bolt. I changed the front swivel wheel unit for a stronger air filled tyre version. Now it's back on the road!