A fabricated vehicle axle (110,314,354) comprising: a main beam formed by a channel (112,322,340) and a bottom plate (114,330,348) secured to the channel (112,322,340), the main beam forming a first axle head section (118,312,334), a first axle gooseneck section adjacent to said first axle head section (118,312,334), an axle midsection adjacent to said first axle gooseneck section, a second axle gooseneck section adjacent to said axle midsection, and a second axle head section adjacent to said second axle gooseneck section; said channel (112,322,340) having an inverted U-shaped configuration along its midsection defining a channel front wall (126,352), a channel rear wall (130,352) and a channel top wall (128,338); said channel (112,322,340) extending from said first axle head section (118,312,334) to said second axle head section; characterised by a first cover flap extension (136,318,336) extending from said top wall (128,338) of said channel (112,322,340) positioned at said first axle head section (118,312,334), the first cover flap extension (136,318,336) serving as a cover flap for said first axle head section (118,312,334) and being spaced apart from said bottom plate (114,330,348); a second cover flap extension (136,318,336) extending from said top wall (128,338) of said channel (112,322,340) positioned at said second axle head section, the second cover flap extension (136,318,336) serving as a cover flap for said second axle head section and being spaced apart from said bottom plate (114,330,348); a first reinforcing insert (326,342) at least partially received within or a first head plate (116,216) inserted into a first space between said first cover flap extension (136,318,336) and said bottom plate (114,330,348); and a second reinforcing insert (326,342) at least partially received within or a second head plate (116,216) inserted into a second space between said second cover flap extension (136,318,336) and said bottom plate (114,330,348). a main beam formed by a channel (112,322,340) and a bottom plate (114,330,348) secured to the channel (112,322,340), the main beam forming a first axle head section (118,312,334), a first axle gooseneck section adjacent to said first axle head section (118,312,334), an axle midsection adjacent to said first axle gooseneck section, a second axle gooseneck section adjacent to said axle midsection, and a second axle head section adjacent to said second axle gooseneck section; said channel (112,322,340) having an inverted U-shaped configuration along its midsection defining a channel front wall (126,352), a channel rear wall (130,352) and a channel top wall (128,338); said channel (112,322,340) extending from said first axle head section (118,312,334) to said second axle head section; characterised by a first cover flap extension (136,318,336) extending from said top wall (128,338) of said channel (112,322,340) positioned at said first axle head section (118,312,334), the first cover flap extension (136,318,336) serving as a cover flap for said first axle head section (118,312,334) and being spaced apart from said bottom plate (114,330,348); a second cover flap extension (136,318,336) extending from said top wall (128,338) of said channel (112,322,340) positioned at said second axle head section, the second cover flap extension (136,318,336) serving as a cover flap for said second axle head section and being spaced apart from said bottom plate (114,330,348); a first reinforcing insert (326,342) at least partially received within or a first head plate (116,216) inserted into a first space between said first cover flap extension (136,318,336) and said bottom plate (114,330,348); and a second reinforcing insert (326,342) at least partially received within or a second head plate (116,216) inserted into a second space between said second cover flap extension (136,318,336) and said bottom plate (114,330,348).