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.
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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!!
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Just to be the grammar police: axle not axel, not axial. It will help future people search if the correct spelling is used.
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It depends. It’s certainly something to check every spring especially if your trailer sits somewhere over the winter; the axle shackles and bearings are first components to go, generally, before an axle will. I’ve had axles last as long as the trailer itself, but I’ve also replaced a few too. I live in NE. Generally, the brackets might need replacing after a decade or so if you’re in an area with salt.
As another poster said, it’s dependent on the driving. Going over a curb or a particularly nasty pothole when loaded is enough. The good news is they are relatively cheap and easy to repair - of things to go wrong.
Any time you hitch up a trailer, walk around the trailer and double check all is in working order. Check each tire’s pressure and also wiggle (not spin) each tire back and forth. The tires should not move. If you can get the trailer on a lift or jack, spin the wheels yourself - there should be no wobbling or shaking.
Yes, be careful backing up trailers, even bumper pulls. Sometimes jack-knifing is inevitable if you are navigating very difficult places. Go slow and don’t be afraid to pull forward and reset.
How axles fail can depend on whether you’re talking spring axles or torsion axles. I think the majority of horse trailers now use torsion axles, but some have spring axles especially stock/combo trailers.
One thing to note is that spring axles have shackles, torsion axles don’t.
This goes through what can fail/happen with each better than I can explain:
Torsion vs. Spring Axles - which is better?
