Replacement Trailer Axle Recommendation for a 4 by 8 Utility Trailer

Question

Question:

I have a 4x8 homemade utility trailer I bought years ago. It is constructed very well, but has 2-leaf springs on an axle that is formed from a u-shaped piece of steel with solid steel axles welded to the ends of the piece. I have no specs on the hauling capacity of the trailer. It has 4-bolt hubs and the wheels are stock, measuring about 9.5 The current axle is 60inch 48inch from leaf spring to leaf spring. Would I be able to replace the axle with this Dexter axle unit to increase the hauling capacity of the trailer?

asked by: Tom

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

With an unkown axle it is hard to know what it's capacity would be. Plus a trailer's capacity is more than just the axles it uses. You have to consider the suspension, the frame, coupler, brakes etc.

The part # 20440I-EZ-60 that you referenced would bolt right up to your trailer and would give you 2,000 lbs of axle capacity. But for the overall capacity of the trailer you need to go with the lowest rated component as the overall capacity.

You would also want the # APUBR-10 for new U-bolts and mounting plates.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

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Answer 1

An easy way to replace your axle is to use a complete kit such as Dexter #20545I-EZ-60-15. This kit consists of the 60-inch axle, idler hubs, bearings, seals, lug nuts and grease caps - and even grease. This axle is rated for 2200-lbs and its spring…

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Answer 2

The trailer will have a plate or sticker on it that will list the VIN number. The weight rating of the axle should be listed on that same plate or sticker. Also, the axle could have a tag or plate on it that will list the weight capacity. You can…

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Answer 3

I wish we had something we could offer you, but none of the spring seats we offer are designed to fit a 1.9 inch diameter axle. The closest we have is the 1.75 inch spring seat like part #TRSS175 which wouldn't work unless you happened to…

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Answer 4

Leaf springs typically have the part #stamped on the strap that holds the leafs together at one end of the shorter leafs, or it is painted on the concave side of the springs. The part number can then be used to determine the capacity of the springs.…

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Answer 5

With you having 2- 3500lb axles your maximum capacity is 7000lbs evenly distributed over both axles. With the trailer weight of 8240lbs you definitely risk damaging the axles, suspension and other parts of the trailer. Trailer Axles will sometimes…

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Answer 6

The over under conversion kits like #K71-385-00 only work on round axles. What you can do depends on why you need to raise the trailer. If you need more clearance under the trailer you can replace the leaf spring hangers with longer ones. You have to…

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Answer 7

Since you do not want to use an over/under kit on your axle, the best way to raise the trailer would be to use longer hangers for the leaf springs. You may be able to use a hanger like part #E4139. This hanger is designed for double-eye springs and…

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Answer 8

Yes. If you change no other components, the hanger length increase should directly correspond to the lift of the trailer. So, if you use a tandem axle kit like the Tandem-Axle Trailer Hangers for 1-3/4" Wide Double-Eye Springs - 3-1/4" Tall…

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Answer 9

You have to use an over under kit to gain the additional height you are after. Due to the bow in the axle that you mentioned you can't just rotate the axles 180 degrees as the camber would be way off. I don't know what diameter axle your…

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Answer 10

Moving a trailer axle from being overslung to underslung really isn't a big ordeal. It's basically just welding on a new spring seat on the other side of the axle and then using the hardware upside down. We sell kits for this. The diameter of…

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Answer 11

I'm pretty confident you have a 1-3/4" round tube axle on your Carry On 5x8 trailer. Having a 2" axle is uncommon and is typically only found with square tube axles, which you don't have on your trailer. While there isn't a…

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Answer 12

Based on the picture you submitted that shows a square axle welded to a mount which is then welded to a leaf spring you would need to have someone qualified use a cutting torch to remove the mount from the spring so that you could then use a u-bolt…

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Replacement Trailer Axle Recommendation for a 4 by 8 Utility Trailer

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