How to Tell if Trailer has a BT8 or BTR Spindle Installed

Question

Question:

I need a hub, wheel and tire, lug nuts. Its a 1 inch spindle shaft. How do I know if it is a BT8 or BTR or what?

asked by: Greg B

0

Expert Reply:

A BT8 spindle would have a diameter of .99 of an inch where the bearings would both install and would have a diameter of 1.24 where the great seal would ride. That would require a hub part # AKIHUB-440-2-1K for an idler hub.

A BTR spindle would have dimensions of 1.06 inch for outer and inner bearing plus 1.50 inch where grease seal would install. That would require an idler hub part # AKIHUB-545-2-G-2K.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Jay

6/8/2025

what hub kits will fit on 0.749" spindles

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Jameson C.

6/9/2025

@Jay Nothing that we have as that's not a current spindle size that is supported. Normally in this situation easiest route to go is to replace the axles.

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Jay

6/12/2025

@JamesonC the axle is a 3 sided channel. 1 1/16" i d . do you carry a square ended replacement spindle i can weld in that has a 1" straight hub 4x4.5 / complete kit with bearing buddies ?

Reply

Jameson C.

6/16/2025

@Jay We do have a square spindle that is 1 inch in diameter with the part # TRU97FR. The square portion of the spindle is 1.5 inch by 1.5 inch.

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Answer 1

The BTR and BT8 denotations refer to the spindle, not the trailer hub. The difference between a BTR and BT8 spindle is that the BTR spindle uses a 1.063" diameter L44649 bearing and the BT8 spindle uses a 0.99" diameter L44643 bearing. In…

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Answer 2

In comparing the eTrailer Axle Technology Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly, #AKHD-545-35-EZ-K, with the Titan Hub and Drum, #T1543900CB042, there are very few differences. The differences are mostly in the casting of the part, not in the function or fit…

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Answer 3

87 MPH is really high for a trailer tire. Especially in the size of 4.80-12. Typically trailer tires are rated for 65 with some exceptions for 75 and 81 mph. We have the Taskmaster Tire 4.80-12 part #TT48012C which is rated for 81 mph. You should see…

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Answer 4

I'd have to know the inner bearing number as well or the bearing surface dimension of the spindle. It could be either another L44649 or possibly a L68149 which has different dimensions.

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Answer 5

The U-Bolt Kit part #APUBR-10 which is what I recommend using on the Trailer Axle with Idler Hubs part #e82GR will require a torque value of 30-50 ft. lbs.

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Answer 6

Hey Ray, for that we have the Dexter part #8-259-5UC1-EZ which has the EZ lube grease cap as well as comes pre-greased so it's ready to go. This has the bearing numbers you mentioned needing too.

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Answer 7

Hey Vince, thanks for all of the info on your spindle. Based on that what you have it is actually a spindle for a 3,500 lb axle so you'd need a larger hub and drum like the part #84546UC3-EZ which is a 10 inch diameter hub/drum. Then for brake…

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Answer 8

The closest grease seal we have available to the measurements you provided is the TruRyde Double Lip Grease Seal #RG06-010. This seal has an inner diameter of 1.249 inches and an outer diameter of 1.983 inches. You can use a digital caliper like…

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Answer 9

Appreciate that info and there are two hubs with inner and outer L44649 bearings, with the right one depending on your wheel bolt pattern (as we don't have any way of knowing specifically what hub is on an '87 Tracker trailer). Both are for…

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Answer 10

Other than the fact that the Curt #13147 has a slightly higher (500 lb) towing capacity and the fact that the hitch crossbar is round instead of square tubing, there's not a whole lot of difference functionally between the hitches you mentioned.…

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Answer 11

Hey John, thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you need the Timken Grease Seal #TMK36ZR which is I.D. 1.250" / O.D. 1.983". As far as the bearings it sounds like your hub uses the L44649 bearing which is the 1.063" ID. This goes…

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Answer 12

Yes, it is! You're going to need to cut out more than just the holes though when installing the DeeZee Custom-Fit Truck Bed Mat item #DZ28GJ. The mat is 3/8" thick so you'll have to cut out more of an H pattern or your 5th wheel hitch…

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How to Tell if Trailer has a BT8 or BTR Spindle Installed

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