Axle Problem 2015 182G

I disagree.

I am an engineer and Toyanvil's design while it worhs and is aesthetically pleasing is a complex solution to a simple problem. It also produces moments (torques) on the frame rails that are not necessary or beneficial.

The axle tube is a simple double ended cantilever. As such if it has equal loads on each end from the wheel attachments the bending moments on it increase from the ends to the attachment points and then remain constant and high along the entire length between the attachment points. This is why you can see the entire axle tube flattening out under an excessive load. If you only bent one side that doesn't mean the other side or both at once sound be overloaded next time, decambering the whole axle.

A simple steel angle extending the length of the axle will reinforce it over it's full length very simply. The section modulus of the combination of the tube and angle is the same whether the angle is above or below the tube, meaning that it will reinforce the axle equally well below or above. No welding required. The only thing you need to do is camber the tube slightly, which any shop with a decent size press ought to be able to do.

If you do decide to get a heavier axle that is ok too, no reason to think it will cause other issues. The rpod frame is weak at the axle mounting point so it can and has bent there but a stronger axle won't make that worse, the loads are the same.

If my axle had been bent before I reinforced it I would have replaced it with a heavier one, as there are other parts of the axle that can and have failed, the rubber the torsion arms rides in being one.

The load rating numbers Dexter and Lippert provide for their axle ranges assume the axle is mounted at the ends, so there is a substantial derate when you mount them to the rpod. The take off angle is at the end of the model number if you have a Lippert axle and is listed on the axle label.

Short of the riser that I still believe does not traverse the frame long enough (3ft plus in my mind) Toyanvil's  design is one of the 'best' I have seen! It hits all the math for strength! 

Originally posted by marwayne This is how I solved my problem calabash restaurant wilmington nc

This is how I solved my problem

So i've taken some measurements.  I've looked into a Dexter #10 axle.  it's also a 3500.  their next highest axle is a #11 which is a 4100-6000lb axle.  the #10 seems to be the choice for my pod.  it's dry weight on the sticker is 3044lbs, and GVWR 3862lbs.  I think i'm regularly loaded over 3500lbs and close to GVWR once everything is in their.  The Dexter 3500 looks like its rated for 2300-4000lbs I believe so i think it would be my choice.