Determining Correct Axle To Upgrade Single 3500lb Axle Boat Trailer To 5200lb Axle

Question

Question:

I have a single axel trailer rated for 3500 lbs and the tires are rated at 1750 lbs each. The boat and trailer weigh 4400 lbs. Is this a safe and or do I need to make changes to be legal and safe I am in Illinois but travel to other states

asked by: Tom W

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Expert Reply:

Since you have a single axle that is rated to 3500lbs, and the combined tire rating is also 3500lbs, I do not recommend using the trailer as it is with the weight of the trailer and boat being 4400lbs. Before making any changes I recommend verifying the maximum weight capacity of the trailer with the manufacturer, as just changing the axles and suspension may still not give you the weight capacity you need.

If your trailer does have a high enough weight capacity for the weight you mentioned, I recommend going with a 5200lb axle but to determine what length axle you will need you will need to take a few measurements from your current axle. Using the included diagram you will need to measure from hub face to hub face, and spring center to spring center on your current axle and the look for those measurements for a replacement. The hub face measurement is the most important as spring seats can be moved if needed.

For example the Dexter Trailer Axle Beam with E-Z Lube Spindles # 8327820 has a hub face to hub face measurement of 89" and a spring center to spring center measurement of 74". So if your current axle has these same measurements this axle will work great. If you find your current axle has different measurements just let me know.

Since your boat trailer will be in water you will also need hydraulic brakes and hubs, and will need to upgrade your leaf springs and wheels/tires, but the correct parts will be dependent on the axle you choose. If you can let me know what axle you decide on I would be happy to recommend the correct parts.

expert reply by: Samuel C

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Answer 1

You can use leaf springs that are rated higher than the axle without any issues as long as they measure the correct measurement for your trailer. For example the 6-leaf double eye spring for 7,000 lb axles part #e64SR measures 24-7/8" eye to…

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Answer 2

The most important factor for picking out replacement leaf springs for your trailer is to first go with the correct weight capacity and then secondly the correct length. If your boat weighs 3,800 lbs alone you'll need much higher rated springs.…

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Answer 3

I do have a solution for you but unfortunately we don't carry any axles that fit the specific dimensions that your current axles has. Instead we have the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System #A35RS545. This system comes with hubs that have…

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Answer 4

You can mount trailer axles above or below the leaf springs. The difference is just the amount of ground clearance that the trailer would end up having. The biggest advantage with the spring below the axle (trailer will be lower) is that you would…

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Answer 5

It sounds like you are already aware of this but overloading your trailer has most likely bent the spindles and is now causing the trailer tires to wear faster on the inside edge which is subsequently leading to blow outs. The fix for this is as you…

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Answer 6

If you are wanting to go to higher capacity leaf springs I would advise against it. The problem is that since the trailer axle is rated for 3,500 pounds you won't gain any additional capacity by switching to higher capacity springs. What it will…

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Answer 7

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 8

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

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Answer 9

The two sizes you mentioned are pretty similar and fit many of the same 15 inch wheels. The 205/75-15 fits rim widths of 5 inch to 6-1/2 inch whereas the 225/75-15 fits widths that are 5 inch to 6 inch. The 205 is 27.1 inches tall and the 225 is 28.4…

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Answer 10

Trailer wheel bearings are specific to the spindle that is installed on the axle that is on your trailer. You will need to safely support the trailer, remove the wheel and tire, remove the grease cap, remove the cotter pin and washer that secures the…

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Answer 11

The difference between an load range C and load range D tire in the same size is the capacity and psi rating. The two tires will still have the same dimensions and fit on the same wheel. The D rated tire has a higher capacity. For a ST175/80D13 like…

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Answer 12

The three most common lug stud sizes for a trailer are 1/2"-20, 9/16"-18, and 5/8"-18. In order to make sure you get the correct lug nuts you need to measure the lug studs on the trailer now as we have no way to look this up for…

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Determining Correct Axle To Upgrade Single 3500lb Axle Boat Trailer To 5200lb Axle

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