Extending a trailer.

[Joe Bob]

Has anyone ever welded a "front porch" onto a trailer?

I'm looking to a extend the trailer to have carry capacity for a motorcycle, barbeque, more crap, etc, etc.....

Looking for dos and don'ts from people that BTDT.

[Joe Bob]

Also....adding a second axle. Do they have to be close together? Or can they be a bit forward and have separation?

[Tim Hancock]

I have modded a three rail motorcycle trailer into a two place Jetski trailer..... I extended the tongue and added bunks. When loaded, I am 50 pounds under maximum capacity for my tires. My trailer performs flawlessly even on long highway trips, but I installed new bearings/tires and I monitor my tire pressures religiously. I even monitored tire and bearing temps on my maiden long trip driving around Lake Michigan a few years ago (never went over 100 degrees on a 90 degree day). Anything is possible, but you need to have an good understanding of what you are doing in regard to selecting materials, proper structural design and be sure to place axles such that you will have proper tongue weight (10-15% IIRC) for all intended loading scenarios. Spacing axles far apart will put excessive loading on the spindles when turning when you are fully loaded (tires must skid severely when spaced too far apart) . You could easily bend a spindle for instance if you are heavily loaded and you are backing up while turning and the trailer wheel encounters a bump or low curb etc.

[Joe Bob]

OK, did a little research on axle separation. Thanks you confirmed my opinion.

I plan on adding bearing buddies and will take my infrared temp gun.

Thanks for your advice.