Drop down wheel assembly

[josterbauer]

I am building my own wheel house 6.5' x 14' w/ a v-front. I am looking for ideas on the wheel assembly that drops the frame to the ice. I want to see some ideas and thoughts on what has worked out the best.

[sparkydm]

check out fish house supply and look at their frames-they show some good details

[josterbauer]

I have looked at their frames, and it looks like they put the spring right in the square steel, and weld it to the square steel, and then attatch the spring to an eye with a pin. I really can't tell. I am looking for some really good ideas on this. Thanks

[Phred52]

DO NOT try to weld the spring into the square tubing!!! You will crystallize the spring steel and it'll snap on you. Look carefully further up the tubing, There's a bolt that goes through both the tubing and the spring eyelet. Also, If you should ever need to change the spring it's a matter of, that bolt, slip out the bad spring, slip in the new spring, reinstall the bolt and you're done! That could be done on the lake, on the side of the road or in your driveway! What could be easier??? Phred52

[josterbauer]

Do they just take a spring and cut it? How do they get the curved spring into the square tubing? Also they said that they had 5200# spindles. Is that both spindles combined 2 @ 2600#, or are they claiming 5200# per spindle. How are the spindles attatched to the square tubing as well. I have done many rigid frames with axles below, never done a drop down system.

[Phred52]

The ones I've examined (including my own), the spring is complete and just shoved into the square tubing as far as the springs arc will allow, there the bolt goes through the tubing and eyelet and that anchors it (no different than a car, truck or a trailer) The spring is anchored, yet provides effective suspension. So simple, and so workable! The spring must have a moveable rear eye so it can flex (extend and contract) The front eye must be anchored securely so as to hold the spring (in this case) in position. Does that help?? Phred52

[josterbauer]

I see what you are saying. I looked at fish house supply, and it looks like both ends are anchored. I can't see it very well. When someone claims 3500# spindles is that ea of them or the pair combined?

[josterbauer]

The truck shackles have the rubber or poly bushings in the rear. Do the fish house spring shackle that floats have this as well, or is it a solid mount with a bolt?

[hawkeye43]

They are using 5200# spindles each side. If you are welding your frame make sure you get the toe-in and camber right. You need to tip the spindle, so that when the house is built and done that the wheels run straight and true. A 1/4" toe in should be enough or it will eat tires right off.

The curved spring fits inside 3x5x 3/8 tube, you will need to drill a hole for the bolt to go thought the spring eye.

You need to drill a hole for the spindle to go thought the tube.

[josterbauer]

What do they need those kind of spindles & springs for? My enclosed trailer doesn't need that kind of beef to it.

[fishinalot]

They have 2600 # spindles, and 3000 # springs on each side. Bigger the better for the ruts on the lake.

[hawkeye43]

You can use what you want, I have used lighter tubeing in other houses. I hate going back to redo something that bends the wheels in. If the house weight is 3500# and you add a 700# 4 wheeler, all your gear, weight adds up fast. 5200# spindles are not far off. It alot easier to do it right the first time. Now pull it on the roads with all the pot holes, and the way I have seen people pull their houses acroos the lake, its surprizing there are wheels left on to pull it. Your trailer has a solid axle all the way across so it alot.

[NAG]

I am in the process of ading suspension to omy fish house. I have a 18' V-nose house. I am going to be adding 3000# leaf springs. I have a couple questions. They sell 3000# single leaf springs and 3000# multi leaf springs. Is one better than another? Also, I noticed that the springs are 1 3/4" wide. What size steel tubing do you use to stick them in? 2 1/2" X 2 1/2"?