Upgrading to 3,500 Axle on Overloaded Boat Trailer

Updated 11/26/2018 | Published 11/23/2018

Question:

HI I travel 2,500 one way and back 2,500 each year to a fishing spot. I have been wearing out tires every two trips with wear on the inside this last year I wore a tire to a blow out I know I am weighted down too heavy for the 2,400 pound limit on my trailer my trailer is 19 years old I am thinking about going to a 3,500 pd axel. my boat has been kept indoors and always used in fresh water with no rust on the painted axel. I dont think I need new springs do you? my hub face measurement is 83 3/4 inches and spring center 70. my existing painted axel is square Is the axel my problem and can you recommend one for me? Thanks

asked by: Marty

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you are already aware of this but overloading your trailer has most likely bent the spindles and is now causing the trailer tires to wear faster on the inside edge which is subsequently leading to blow outs. The fix for this is as you mentioned to upgrade to a higher capacity axle. If this is the fix you choose to partake then you will want to change out the leaf springs as well. The reason for this is because leaf springs will more or less be rated for the axle capacity. If you upgrade axle capacity but kept the lower rated leaf springs then the trailer would likely give too much and not create the best ride causing tire wear issues yet again.

Unfortunately, we do not have a traditional trailer axle with the measurements you provided but we do have the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System part # ASR3500S05 which will work with most trailers that have odd hub face and spring center measurements. This option also eliminates the need to replace the leaf springs as it uses a rubber spring to absorb road shock and support the trailer's load.

I have attached a test course video for you as well.

expert reply by: Conner L