What is the Difference Between a Trailer Axle and Spindle

Updated 12/04/2015 | Published 12/03/2015

Question:

I have a home made trailer 4 ft. x 8 ft. what is the difference between axle and spindle ??? I may be wrong, is it the axle that is 2 1/2 in. square from spring to spring and the spindle where the wheel is mounted, is 1 in. in diameter. I can not find a rating on the axle any where. Do you think I can have about 1500 lbs. on that trailer??? Thank you for your answer, Herman It is a 4 bolt hub, and I am also interested in your 12 in. wheels with tire.

asked by: Herman

Expert Reply:

The spindle of an axle is just the sections on the end of the axles that the hub installs onto and the brake assemblies bolt to. I attached a picture that shows the spindles pointed out on an axle for you to check out as well.

It sounds like you have it figure out though. Square axles are harder to determine the capacity of.

Square axle capacities are pretty hard to determine. Unlike round axles, they do not have set capacities based on their dimensions.

But what you can do is give me some exact measurements of your spindle and we should be able to see if there is a hub we carry that would fit so that you could at least get a ballpark on your capacity.

I need the dimensions of where the bearings and seal ride. Or you can get the numbers stamped on the bearings.

expert reply by: Jameson C