Finally, a new axle - Fiberglass RV
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Old 09-19-2012, 10:42 PM   #1
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Finally, a new axle

Just a word of warning to Lil Bigfoot potential owners.
If the Lil Bigfoot needs an axle plan on spending around $800.00.
Most trailers have parallel frame rails. Not the Lil Bigfoot.
The Lil Bigfoot axle is mounted on the A frame area of the trailer.
The frame needs to be modified to fit todays Torsion Axels.
I've been looking for a $500.00 axle job for the last 6 or 8 months and they are simply not available.
I bit the bullet and my Bigfoot goes in Friday for a new axle.

Hopeful this will save someone an added, unexpected expense.

John
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Old 09-20-2012, 07:52 PM   #2
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Perry, Thanks for posting this. Did you get the axle because of problems with the old one or did you just want more clearance and brakes?
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Old 09-20-2012, 08:30 PM   #3
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The axel is completely dead. I had about 4 inches of ground clearence.
If I hit a small pebble on a flat, smooth road at 40 miles an hour the cushions and cabinet contents were on the floor.
I knew the axle was marginal when I bought the trailer.
I planned on eventually replacing it but did not anticipate the added expense of frame modification.
I kept the cost down by using my old brakes, hubs and wheels as they were all in good shape.
If you're going to store your's for the winter put it up on blocks.
John
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Old 09-20-2012, 08:51 PM   #4
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What year is yours? Mine doesn't even have brakes. Blocks and taking the weight off is propably a good idea. I would like to change the axle on mine but not this year since I just bought it. Mine is definitly a ground hugger already.
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Old 09-20-2012, 10:39 PM   #5
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Mine's an 88.
It's a great little trailer.
john
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Old 10-15-2012, 08:58 PM   #6
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I jacked my trailer up today to adjust the brakes.
I never looked under it when I picked it up.
The original axle was a leading axle.
The wheel arms pointed forward.
Bud took it on himself to really modify the frame.
Now The axle is mounted farther forward than the old axle but is now a trailing axle.
I got a better deal than I expected.
John
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Old 10-15-2012, 09:19 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perry J View Post
I jacked my trailer up today to adjust the brakes.
I never looked under it when I picked it up.
The original axle was a leading axle.
The wheel arms pointed forward.
Bud took it on himself to really modify the frame.
Now The axle is mounted farther forward than the old axle but is now a trailing axle.
I got a better deal than I expected.
John
I had exactly the opposite happen to me. I could see the frame of the Trillium 1300 I was looking at was odd. It was made of C channel, or so it seemed. The mosquitos were vicious! I looked at the inside of the trailer carefully, but not so close to the outside. On the way home I stopped for gas and got my first look at the under side of trailer.

Leading axle.

I have no idea what trailer this frame came from. It is not Buba engineered. The front still comes up to a higher level at the propane tank shelf. Those "bends" are accomplished by pieces of bent 1/8" steel plate that is formed into a C channel, but not square. They are a taller C at one end then the other. The pieces fit too well at the welds for it to be a one off. I have actually seen an ad for another Trillium 1300 which clearly had a C channel bumper, so maybe there was a line of leading axle Trillium 1300's,

This is why I am looking for a replacement square tube steel Trillium 1300 frame.
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Old 10-16-2012, 08:11 AM   #8
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I understand some Trilliums were made with "C" chanel . Not as good as the square boxed ones.

Ron
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Old 10-16-2012, 01:57 PM   #9
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Hey David,
Have you asked Tom?
He is a good resource.
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Old 10-16-2012, 04:00 PM   #10
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I found a picture of another Trillium with a C channel frame. Also a 1973, which is the year that I think mine is.
Attached Thumbnails
1973 1300 in olds.jpg  
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Old 10-16-2012, 04:27 PM   #11
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My 73 had a heavy C channel frame but it had been heavily reinforced with box channel by the time I found it.
Especially the front and rear hitch bend and bumper areas.
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Old 10-16-2012, 05:06 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Harris View Post
My 73 had a heavy C channel frame but it had been heavily reinforced with box channel by the time I found it.
Especially the front and rear hitch bend and bumper areas.
Was yours a leading axle as well?

I am starting to wonder if Trillium went to another vendor for their frames when they started to have cracking problems with the 71-72.
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Old 10-16-2012, 05:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Tilston View Post
Was yours a leading axle as well?

I am starting to wonder if Trillium went to another vendor for their frames when they started to have cracking problems with the 71-72.
That I can't say?
I don't remember and no longer own the Trill.
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