Schlegl Axles in Focus: The Solid Alternative for Your Car Trailer

When it comes to the chassis technology of car trailers, the first names that usually come to mind are the two major market leaders AL-KO and Knott. However, there is another German manufacturer that has held a firm place in the industry for many years and is highly regarded by experts: Schlegl.

Whether you are purchasing a new trailer, building one yourself, or replacing the old axle on your trusted companion – Schlegl axles frequently appear as an option. In this article from trailer.one, we take a closer look at the company behind the brand, the technology used in its axles, and why they can be an excellent choice for your next project.

Who is Schlegl?

Schlegl GmbH is a traditional medium-sized company based in Schwandorf, Bavaria. For decades, the company has been manufacturing chassis components for the car trailer industry. In addition to axles, the product range also includes fully matched overrun devices, drawbars, and accessories.

Schlegl has earned a reputation in the market for offering durable, straightforward engineering at a very fair price-performance ratio. They focus on the essentials: functionality, safety, and reliable spare parts availability. In addition, the company is well known for its flexibility when it comes to custom-made solutions outside standard specifications.

The Technology: Proven and Low-Maintenance

Schlegl relies on the proven rubber suspension technology (hexagonal rubber suspension axles) for its car trailer axles. This design is the current standard in lightweight trailer construction and offers several practical advantages:

• Maintenance-free: The axle tube and the pressed-in rubber cords require no lubrication. The system provides reliable suspension and is resistant to dirt and debris.
• Corrosion protection: Schlegl axle bodies are hot-dip galvanised as standard. This reliably protects the metal against rust, road salt, and weather conditions.
• Wheel bearings: Current Schlegl models are generally fitted with maintenance-free compact bearings. These are designed for high mileage and do not require re-greasing under normal operating conditions.

The Braking System: A Major Advantage During Maintenance

A particularly important aspect of braked axles is the wheel brake system. This is where Schlegl offers a significant advantage for users.

Schlegl uses wheel brakes on its common braked axles that are based on the Knott system (for example, the 200x50 dimension). This means that when the brake shoes wear out after several years, you do not need to search for expensive specialist parts. Instead, you can rely on the widely available and cost-effective spare parts and brake shoe kits designed for the Knott system. The auto-reverse mechanism is identical or compatible in design, making it very easy to source spare parts – including here at trailer.one.

When is a Schlegl Axle Particularly Worthwhile?

There are certain situations in which axles from Schwandorf truly demonstrate their strengths:

1. Repairs and Conversions: If your old trailer (for example, with a defective Peitz or East German axle) can no longer pass the MOT inspection, a complete axle replacement is often the only solution. Schlegl offers very attractive pricing, making repairs economically worthwhile even for older trailers.
2. Custom Trailer Builds: Anyone constructing a trailer from scratch usually looks for reliable components that do not overstretch the budget. A combination of a Schlegl axle and a matching Schlegl overrun device is a popular and MOT-compliant solution.
3. Special Dimensions: Schlegl is known for being flexible with certain mounting dimensions (the distance between the frame mounting holes) and for offering measurements that fit older chassis precisely.

Summary

Schlegl axles are not a niche product, but mature and reliable chassis components manufactured in Germany. They stand out thanks to their solid workmanship, excellent price-performance ratio, and maintenance-friendly braking mechanism.

If you need a new axle for your trailer or spare parts for an existing Schlegl chassis, you have come to the right place. Take a look around the trailer.one shop – we stock the right components and are happy to advise you in selecting the correct dimensions.