Unusual query about chassis.

[602]

Hi,

I have reduced a Trophy Olympic Silver 435 to a rolling chassis. (Can anybody advise what year it was made?) Chassis is still bright galvanised 3" x 1.5" x 1/8" thick RHS (oblong tube, to the uninitiated). The axle unit is a tube with rubber block suspension at each end, very substantial. It is fixed to the chassis with two nuts and bolt at each end. As it is too long for my requirements, I am reducing the length of the chassis, and will be fitting an 8ft x 5ft flat bed.

I want to carry a "short" ton (about 950kg). The rolling chassis weighs about 200kg, and I still have to fit the flat bed. The trailer plate says that the MGW is 1100kg, so I'm heading into Oops Territory.

My question is ........ as caravans are unweildly creatures, and usualy travel at, or above, the maker's recomended weight, is it likely that the chassis may have been fitted with a "heavier" suspension. Is there a conventional location where I am likely to find the axle's load capacity?

602

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Indespension do a range of easily fitted suspension units that may be what you require

http://www.indespension.co.uk/b2c/app/I00650?ZSUBCO=033&Z1MACO=181&slnk=1

 

[Lutz]

Normally, the axle's load capacity is to be found on the axle tube.
The trailer plate not only gives details of weights, etc. but also documents the name of the manufacturer of the trailer and trailer type. As you will be doing a major modification to an existing product it will cease to be a Trophy Olympic Silver 435. Instead, you will effectively become the 'manufacturer' and you will carry full technical responsibility for the finished trailer. You will therefore be at liberty to apply your own chassis plate with all the necessary details, including a higher MGW than the original, always assuming sufficient axle load capacity.