Tips for How to Identify a Trailer Axle

Question

Question:

How can i find out the brand/make of my trailer axles? I have looked for a id tag and have found nothing.

asked by: Chuck

0

Expert Reply:

Depending on how the trailer was made, there will be a few spots you can check to identify the axle. First, if the trailer was pre-made by a specific company, you may be able to find this information in either the paperwork or on a placard somewhere on the frame.

Sometimes, the axle identity is stamped into the axle itself or into the hub if it was purchased as a complete assembly.

If you cannot find any markings or notation for the axle, you will need to look for replacement parts based on the capacity and dimensions of your existing parts. For example, if your trailer information shows that the maximum capacity of the trailer is 7000lbs, then you probably have two 3500lb axles. The bearings, races, and seals should have an industry standard number on the back edge which can be used to match replacements.

When looking for a wheel to fit your existing hubs, you can find out your existing bolt pattern by taking a simple bolt to bolt measurement. View information on measuring your bolt pattern at the provided link. The # AM20352 wheel you referenced will work for hubs with a 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern. With a capacity of 1870lb per wheel, these would be appropriate for a tandem axle trailer with a capacity around 3700lb when matched with similarly rated tires.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

John

5/10/2020

I have a home made trailer. The axle came from a mobile home. I would like to change it over to a 15” wheel with hubs. Is this possible. Thanks

Reply

Chris R.

5/12/2020

You'll likely need to replace the axle altogether but it should certainly be possible. I would need to know some specs on the existing axle though to recommend a good replacement (along with corresponding hubs and rims). Can you tell me its hub length and weight capacity?

Reply

Travis L.

6/22/2020

I have a boat trailer that the axel hub went bad and messed up the whole axel. Stamped on back of hub is 34231. The axel measuring 74 1/4 center spring hole. The total length from tip to tip is 90 1/4. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Reply

Chris R.

6/25/2020

We do have a few trailer axles available with a 74" spring seat length (linked below) but I wasn't able to find any info on the hub assemblies using the number you found. Is there any way you can tell me what inner and outer bearings are used inside the hub? There should be a number stamped right inside the bearings themselves.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-trailer_axles-hs-74_inch.aspx

Reply

Jim

7/11/2020

I have a 2003 24 ft exiss stock trailer alum,trailer 14000 lbs,plate says it has ( 2) 6000 lb axles you would think they should be 7000 lbs,they are dexter torflex and the axle is so rusted and pitted there is no number.I have called every mfg exiss,dexter etc all say just measure and be careful you may get the wrong axles( what a system) any suggestions,ideals,or what axle goes under this stock trailer,exiss says they dont keep files back to 2003 of what was put in trailer thanks

Reply

Chris R.

7/16/2020

Please know I'm not just taking the easy way out when I say your only option here is to measure the existing axle.....I really wish I had some specific info on that trailer but it's just not available. You'll want to measure both the hub length and spring seat length to find a good replacement. It wouldn't hurt to go to higher-rated axles but most likely the current units are 6K because 10 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight technically gets applied to the rear axle of the tow vehicle.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-trailer_axles.aspx

Reply

Tom M.

8/6/2020

can i put electric brakes on my boat trailer if i shrink wrap all the connections

Reply

Jon G.

8/17/2020

Yes! Electric brakes on boat trailers is actually becoming more and more common because electric brakes are just easier to maintain. Use the shrink-wrap style butt connectors for your connections and then remember to disconnect your trailer wiring from your tow vehicle prior to backing it into the water to avoid shorting out your trailer wiring.

Reply

Tom M.

8/17/2020

@JonG ok I would like to purchase what I need for the job. My axles are dexter p21 . The diameter of the axle is 2 3/8 so I’m thinking 3500 lb . I have 10 inch wheels and tires, what do I need

Reply

Jon G.

8/28/2020

@TomM The P21 on your Dexter Axle is actually the site that it was manufactured at as opposed to a part number. If you can pull one of your hubs and confirm what bearings it uses I can see what exact parts you'll need in regards to a hub/drum assembly. In the meantime here is a link to a helpful article that tells you about everything you need to install electric brakes on your trailer.

Helpful Links

faq-adding-electric-drum-brakes.aspx

Reply

Dawn O.

9/8/2020

I have a 1998 CNC 6 horse trailer I'm not sure what kind of axles are on it I cannot find any indication are you familiar with it I would like to change the bearings

Reply

Jon G.

9/11/2020

If you can tell me what the axle weight rating is (found on tag at front of trailer or in the middle of each axle) as well as the bolt pattern for your wheels I can narrow it down, but your best bet is to pull the hub and look at the bearing part numbers (stamped on the bearings). If you can't find the numbers or they are damaged then you'll need to take a digital caliper and measure your spindle like what you see in the photo on this attached page.

Helpful Links

question-469140.html

Reply

Gh. A.

7/14/2024

@JonG if you can tell me how can I identify non driving axle for trailer from non driving axle for truck or lorry?

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Answer 1

I am going to recommend disassembling one of your hubs to verify these parts are going to be correct for your Kelsey/Hayes axle. It sounds like you are going to have a 3,500lb axle which have all used a fairly standard size brake and hub. The…

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Answer 2

In order to replace your Carrier Air V RV Air Conditioner I highly recommend using the Advent Air Replacement RV Air Conditioner for Carrier Setup part #ACCAR135 for 13,500 Btu's or part #ACCAR150 for 15,000 Btu's. This unit will be the only…

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Answer 3

It sounds like you are heading in the right direction. To decide where your springs seat will be you will need to mock up your trailer as if you were installing all of the equipment on it. Once you have the suspension part mocked up you will want to…

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Answer 4

Hello Ken. I am not sure exactly how long your current U-bolts are, but you will probably be able to re use them. It just depends on how long they are and how much thread is left. Assuming your 4 leaf spring has 3/8" thick leaves it would be…

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Answer 5

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 6

Trailer or automotive wheels can have a positive or negative offset. The offset refers to the distance between the mounting surface of the wheel that touches the hub and the center line of the wheel, as shown in the diagram I have edited for you. A…

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Answer 7

There is no exact way to determine the leaf spring length. The best way to determine the length for a replacement is by measuring the existing leaf springs. The hanger distance and shackle length can help you get a good idea, but you're looking…

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Answer 8

You are going to want either our Bearing Kit #BK2-100 or the Timken Kit #TMK52VR. Both of these kits will give you the inner/outer bearings and races along with a grease seal and cotter pin/D-washer for one hub. You always want to replace the race…

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Answer 9

The Grease Seal - Double Lip - 2.250" ID - 3.376" OD #GS-2250DL and Grease Seals 10-36 (pair) #RG06-070 have the same exact measurements of 2.250" inside diameter and 3.376" outside diameter so they will work for the same…

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Answer 10

The 11" CE Smith Deluxe Marine-Grade Carpeting for Bunk Boards like part #CE11350 for blue, part #CE11330 for black, or part #CE11372 for charcoal is recommended for 2x4 bunk boards. It should not overlap but you will need to trim for the…

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Answer 11

The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly #K23-532-00 has a square mounting pattern with the bolt holes centers being 3-3/4" on center. This particular assembly is for the drivers side of the 8,000-lb AL-KO / Hayes axle. We also have the…

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Answer 12

Assuming your tires are in good shape without any bulges the easiest way to determine if you have a bent spindle is to take a straight edge that is longer than the tire and lay it across the tire parallel with your trailer frame and then measure the…

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