Can Trailer Weight Capacity Be Increased by Changing One Trailer Axle

Published 11/11/2016

Question:

Can you combine 3500# axle with a 5000# axle to help beaf up your trailer capacity

asked by: Derek W

Helpful Expert Reply:

A trailer's weight carrying capacity depends on many components: the trailer frame itself, axles, suspension, hubs, wheels and tires. Upgrading one component, say an axle, might increase the trailer's capacity but only if that axle was the lowest-rated part of the trailer.

It is not advisable to use two differently-rated axles on the same trailer. Strictly speaking, it is theoretically possible, IF the trailer were to be loaded up with the cargo load perfectly distributed across the two different axles. However, in actual practice this would be a real tough thing to pull off without the risk of overloading some portion of the trailer.

If you know the trailer manufacturer and they are still in business you can contact them with the VIN for the trailer to see if they can offer you any help with the idea of increasing its capacity. If you're lucky they will be able to give you the capacity of the trailer frame and the other components to let you know if there is room to swap out parts that will give you a higher weight rating.

expert reply by: Adam R