The Chopper Compendium

I hear ya Max, considering the gross weight of the trailer "fully loaded" will be less that 200 lbs it shouldn't be an issue to use a u-joint - at least one that looks like what BigJim suggested.

Thanks for the hint BigJim! I was going to reply 1st thing this morning and ask for any details of that u-joint...but after looking once more thru McMaster - I believe I found it.

Your pic looks exactly like the "High-Torque Needle-Bearing U-Joints" http://www.mcmaster.com/#universal-joints/=fory4j

I'm not sure about using the cast ductile iron yokes they have for their "Standard" u-joint and am thinking I should use one of their heavy-duty u-joints made entirely of forged steel instead unless someone can ease my fears/concerns of "cast ductile iron" in this type of application.

Wow! almost $70 for their cheapest heavy duty High-Torque u-joint! Is there any chance to use a standard High-Torque u-joint with cast iron parts?!?!?

edit, thought about this over lunch, I'd want to weld the u-joint in and not use those set screws shown. You don't want to consider welding cast iron do you?

Yeah , scrounge one from a road tractor salvage yard !

For what you planning , a "U" joint from a 1/2 ton pickup should be overkill !!

As far as welding goes , consider using the ends of a drive shaft cut off and reversed to each other so that what you are going to be welding to is the cut ends of the shaft !

I had sent an email to one of the big junk yards in the state asking for info on a used u-joint, and I explained what I would be using it for....not surprising I never received a reply! Suppose I gotta get off my lazy rear and actually go speak to someone!

I had considered steering u-joints in the beginning BigJim, but they are smaller and don't do a good job of convincing me they’ll hold up. I had even found a nice fully chromed one, but turned out to be about the size of one of my finger knuckles which didn't set my mind at ease.

I'm still leaning towards that high torque joint you found. Some of the parts I can return to McMaster will just about pay for one of those.

I've seen a '67 mustang with a 9" rear from a 1/2 ton pickup truck (original u joint) yank the front wheels 2' into the air and stay there for at least half the 1/4 mile track !!

Not once but several times on the same day , and I dont think it would be physically possible for you to subject your trailer hitch to anything like that level of stress !!!