Can I Upgrade 3,500 lb Axles to 5,200 lb Axles on a Budget
Question:
hello, I have a question, my trailer is double axle, it has 3,500 per axle, they are bad and I want to put 5,200, my question is the components that my axles have, they work in the 5200 axle or they dont work and I have to buy the 3500 axle, I dont have much money for it spend and I want to know if I buy the 5200 pound axle alone or the 3500 axle alone, putting the components of my old axle on it I put a photo that is the same as the one of my trailer that has 4 holes and your 5200 pound one has 5 screws. My axle diameter is 7inch circumference like the guy in the video
asked by: Anthony O
Expert Reply:
Thank you for reaching out!
The best thing for your situation is to go with the 3,500 lb Dexter Axle # T3584F-8974 you are looking at. While you can upgrade your axles to the 5,200 lb # e55GR, you won't really see a benefit from it unless you also upgrade your trailer suspension and then reinforce the frame so it can safely handle the extra weight of your cargo.
When you toss in the fact that you're wanting to use the same equipment from your old axles that also helps clear things up since the brake mounting flange has a different mounting hole pattern and then the spindles are different sizes so you'd have to get new hubs and brakes (if you run with brakes on your trailer).
Just be sure the 74" spring center and 89" hub face measurements match with your current axles and you'll be good to go with the newer 3,500 lb axle!
Attached are some videos for you to check out.
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
Products Referenced in This Question
Dexter Trailer Axle Beam with Standard Spindles - 89" Long - 3,500 lbs
- Trailer Axles
- Leaf Spring Suspension
- Standard Grade
- No Hubs
- 3500 lbs
- Spindles Only
- 74 Inch Spring Center
- 89 Inch Hub Face
- No Drop or Lift
- Dexter
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Trailer Axle Beam with Easy Grease Spindles - 89" Long - 5,200 lbs
- Trailer Axles
- Leaf Spring Suspension
- Standard Grade
- No Hubs
- 5200 lbs
- Spindles Only
- 74 Inch Spring Center
- 89 Inch Hub Face
- No Drop or Lift
- etrailer
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Shop: RV Bearing
- Shop: Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes - Easy Grease - 6 on 5-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 89" Long - 5,200 lbs
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Redarc Tow-Pro Trail Brake Controller w/ Custom Harness - Dash Knob - Off-Road Mode - Up to 3 Axles
- Shop: etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K
- Video: Review of Redarc Trailer Brake Controller - Tow Pro Trail Proportional Custom Harness - RED74UR
- Shop: Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes - Easy Grease - 5 on 4-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 89" Long - 3,500 lbs
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Axle Beam with Standard Spindles - 89" Long - 3,500 lbs
- Shop: Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3.5K Axles - 10" - 5 on 4-1/2 - Pre-Greased
- Shop: 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 5,000-lb Trailer Axles - 25-1/4" Long
- Q&A: Picking Out Hubs and Brake Assemblies for Tandem Axle Trailer that Weighs 6k
- Q&A: What would I Need to Upgrade from 3,500 lbs Tandem Axles to 5,000 lbs Tandem Axles
- Q&A: Changing 3,500 Pound Trailer Axles to 5,200 Pound Axles
- Search Results: trailer leaf springs
- Search Results: spring hanger
- Search Results: trailer electric brake hub assembly
- Search Results: akhd~550~35~k
- Search Results: trailer hubs and drums
- Article: Trailer Tire Sizing
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Video: Trailer Hitch Installation - 2004 Lexus GX 470
- Search Results: 5000 lbs axle
- Q&A: Can 205/75-15 Trailer Tires Be Mounted on 15x6 Rims on Keystone Outback 23RS
- Search Results: leaf spring
- Q&A: Can I Upgrade 3,500 lb Axles to 5,200 lb Axles
- Q&A: Can 3,500 lb Axle of Trailer Be Upgraded to 5,200 lb Axle
- Q&A: 26 Inch Leaf Springs for Axles Rated at 5,200 lbs
- Video: Review of Weigh Safe Aero Hitch - WS77MR
- Video: Review of Weigh Safe Built in Scale 2 Balls - WS46ZR
on Trailer Suspension Parts
John M.
6/6/2024
Somewhat related question. We fabricated a custom axle with 5000 LB torsion springs and the 5000 lb spindle for a ski boat trailer. Mainly because this fit the 6 lug 5000 lb spindle, hubs and wheels. They are way too heavy duty for a 2500 lb boat. We plan on swapping everything out for a 3500 lb axle and leaf spring setup. Question is are there any oversized bearings that would fit in the 5000 lb hubs but also fit on a 3500 lb spindle?