New Trailer Axle - Bowtie Marina - Doug

[thibodeauxba]

I have been having some issues with my tires going bald on the insides and got to noticing how my trailer axle was bent. I have a 15' x 48" Alweld on a Sure ride trailer which has an 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" square tubing axle (which is very thin). My trailer is a 2004 model. I heard about a guy named Doug over at Bowtie Marina on Giovani St. (off of Lake st.) in Lake Charles, and called over to see what he would charge me to replace my axle.

Long story short it took him about 60 minutes to build me a new 2" x 2" x 1/4" thick axle, pull my old axle off, put the new axle on, and put new tires back on, and he only charged me $200. He also explained how my sureride axle had a hole drilled in the top for a spring alignment piping to align the axle square the the trailer, and how the hole allows water intrusion (saltwater if you do any of that), but does not let it drain. My axles was nearly corroded through wall from I.D. Corrosion. My inside bearing race on one tire was melted onto the axle and could not be removed. Dougs new axle is completely sealed with no holes; he uses a spacer to hold the axle in line. He also put spindles which have greese serts made onto the end which allow for greesing both the front and back bearings; which are very nice.

In my opinion this was a very good deal, and would recommend Doug to anyone with trailer axle issues. He told me that he builds over 200 new axles a year, and that my trailer was a "baby" or a "piece of cake". He does very good work, and is very honest. I have driven the trailer about 200 miles and have noticed no issues and even rides truer than before.