How long do these last and when are they typically replaced?
I would think that would depend a lot on if the trailer is used on salted roads or not. I live in New England, but have only taken my trailer on salted roads twice. It is an '04 Hawk and just went through a safety/maintenance check. The frame/axial is still in good condition.
I had a 2000 Trail-et 2 horse bumper pull. That trailer had rubber torsion axles. I had to replace the front one around 2018 since it got bent when I hit a pothole.
The back one was replaced in 2020. My horse started scrambling on turns that he never used to scramble on. It had warped.
Current horse trailer is a 2008 Equispirit gooseneck 2+1. It also has the rubber torsion axles. Just inspected in February. The mechanic says the entire underside is in great condition.
Depends a lot on how well it has been driven. If the trailer has gone over some curbs on tight turns or through pot holes, more likely axel damage. Always a good idea to have someone who knows what they are doing take a look.
also many goosenecks if backed into a jackknife parking position on hard surfs can bend axles
You might want to also check the axle shackles, which hold axles to trailer body/springs.
We broke one, probably age related, but it was a nasty surprise. Had everything loaded except, clean, washed horse. I came towards the trailer from a distance, noticed tires looked VERY close together. Not that close on the other side! Husband got underneath, found axle shackle had broken on one side. Had to cancel our clinic lesson!
Drove about 2 miles CAREFULLY, slooowly, to the trailer repair shop. Had all the shackles replaced. Still have trailer, probably time to replace the present axle shackles since they have been in place a number of years.
Noticing saved us a lot of grief, with trip to clinic being 99% Interstate thru a large city. No place for horses!!
