Changing 3,500 Pound Trailer Axles to 5,200 Pound Axles

Updated 05/03/2018 | Published 05/02/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes - E-Z Lube - 6 on 5-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 86-1/2" - 5.2K

(235)

$915.07

Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double Eye Springs - 3-1/4" Tall Front/Center/Rear

(712)

$95.32

U-Bolt Kit for Mounting 5,200-lb to 7,000-lb, Round Trailer Axles - 7" Long U-Bolts

(2200)

$67.90

etrailer Rust-Resistant 5-Leaf Double Eye Spring for 6K Trailer Axles - 25-1/4" Long - Dacromet

(514)

$82.77

Spring Seat for Typical 5,200-lb to 7,200-lb, Round Trailer Axles with 3" Diameter

(657)

$11.90

Question:

I have 4400 #Llppert axles on my 26inch Heartland TT I have a bent axle and want to replace axles and upgrade to 5200 # axles I see that the spring mounts you have listed for the Dexter axles are mounted on the bottom do you also have axles mounted on the top of the axle? My Heartland trailer spring mounts are top mounted . Also what other parts would be needed to complete the switch? Thank you

asked by: Scott G

Expert Reply:

The first thing to consider is if the axle(s) are actually bent. Trailer axles have a bow in them so they are higher at the center than at the ends. When under load the axles straighten out some. That is part of how they get their capacities.

If the axles are bent from damage then that is another story. Like you said the 5,200 pound axles that we have include spring seats that are on the bottoms of the axles. In order to have the spring stacks on top of the axles all you would need to do is weld on new spring seats. Each axle would need 2 of # TRSS300 since 5,200 pound axles are 3 inches in diameter. I have included a link to the 5,200 pound straight axles we have.

Something else to consider is the leaf spring length difference between springs for a 3,500 pound axles compared to those for a 5,200 pound axle. A difference in the length will mean that other components will need to be moved or changed which could include the leaf spring hangers and equalizers.

Spring # e78SR rated for 3,000 pounds per spring measures 25-1/4 inches from eye center to eye center. If you can tell me the length of your existing springs (with no weight on them) I can determine if any additional parts will be needed.

Or you could start from scratch by removing the hangers and equalizers and go with an all new set up. Suspension kit # APT5 is a popular option for 5,200 pound axles.

For a u-bolt kit to mount the new axles to the leaf springs you can use # APUBR-8.