Recommended Drop Axle for Trailer With 80 Inch Spring Center

Updated 04/15/2019 | Published 04/12/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Trailer Axle Beam with 4" Drop E-Z Lube Spindles - 95" Long - 3,500 lbs

(785)

$451.76

etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K

(3026)

$145.30

Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3.5K Axles - 10" - 5 on 4-1/2 - Pre-Greased

(1711)

$101.80

Easy Grease Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 3.5K Axles - 5 on 4-1/2 - Pre-Greased

(1007)

$56.27

U-Bolt Kit for Mounting 3,500-lb, Round Trailer Axles - 5-1/2" Long U-Bolts

(1998)

$68.09

Spring Seat for Typical 3,500-lb, Round Trailer Axles with 2-3/8" Diameter

(637)

$16.53

Question:

I am converting an old Sheridan boat trailer to haul and airplane. Current axles are rusty and need to be wider. The trailer is tandem axle galvanized steel about 23 feet long. There will be about 5 feet of bed behind the back axle. Rail widths are 81. Load width is 92inch so I need trailer wheels wider to prevent interference. Plane is relatively light 1400lb, but would like to be able to haul other heavier loads. I would like to run the trailer bed low to the ground to make roll on loading easier. Current axles are straight with 24inch wheels on leaf springs. I was thinking a drop axle might be a good choice and wanted to see what you guys have. Also curious as to whether the leaf springs could be shackled under the axle to it down lower. Disclaimer. I am pretty good with a welder, but have no trailer design background.

asked by: David F

Expert Reply:

The best option we have for you is going to be with the Dexter Trailer Axle Beam with 4" Drop E-Z Lube Spindles part # 7685269 which has a 3,500 lb weight capacity. This will allow the tires to extend out past your load and will provide you with the low load height you will need. The spring center spacing on this axle is set at 80" but if this does not match what you have on your trailer now then you can always move them to where you need them with part # TRSS238. The leaf springs will be located under the axle tube with this setup.

If you would like to add brakes to this axle then you can do so with the Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # AKEBRK-35-SA and the Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly part # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K otherwise, you can just use the Trailer Idler Hub Assembly part # AKIHUB-545-35-EZ-K. I also recommend that you replace the u-bolts as well for which we have the U-Bolt Kit for Mounting 3,500-lb, Round Trailer Axles part # APUBR-1.