How to Add Axle to Boat Trailer to Prevent Trailer Sinking Into Wet Sand

Updated 07/18/2018 | Published 07/17/2018

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Question:

i have a small boat trailer that i want to pull up on the beach and id like to add another axle to help distribute the weight so it doesnt sink in the sand. it doesnt need to have any suspension - is there something i could bolt to the frame to make the new axle the same distance away as the existing axle is on the leaf spring? i know this is a vague question so any advice would be appreciated. thank you.

asked by: Mike H

Expert Reply:

I understand what you're looking to do and it certainly could be possible to add another axle (and hubs, wheels and tires) that does not have a set of leaf springs suspending it to better distribute the loaded trailer's weight on that sandy beach surface.

To get you started I linked our main axle page which displays both regular beam axles like # CE33201GA-HUB as well as the Timbren axle-less suspension kits like # A12WS545 which bolt right on to the trailer's frame. These kits can be substituted for a beam axle.

If you do this modification with a beam axle I would not plan on taking that non-suspended axle on public roads since a few good bumps (with no suspension to absorb them) could damage the axle, something on the trailer or even worse on your boat.

Another option, if space on the trailer permits, is to stay with your one current axle and change out the wheels/tires to wider ones that will likewise spread the trailer weight over a larger surface area. This might not give you the very same degree of prevention from the tires sinking into the wet sand but it would be a simpler option. If this idea interests you please let me know and I will tell you the kinds of information I will need.

Yet another option is to use a winch like # F142007 to pull the trailer. This will not prevent it sinking into the wet sand but the power of the winch might make this issue unimportant. The linked article on winches may be helpful as you consider this possibility.

expert reply by: Adam R