Do 3,500 lb Trailer Axles and 5,200 lb Axles Use Same Hub/Drums and Brake Assemblies

Question:

I suppose new leaf springs will also be required as well.??

asked by: Roger

Expert Reply:

The hub/drum/brake assembly components are a totally different size between a 3,500 lb axle and a 5,200 lb axle.

You can easily swap to the 5,200 lb axle like the part # 8327816 but you will need new hub/drums like the # 8-201-5UC3-EZ which has a 12 inch diameter (3,500 lb setups are 10 inch), and then for brake assemblies # 23-464-465 for a left and right hand side. This setup will require wheels that have a 6 on 5-1/2 inch bolt pattern which you may or may not already have.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Roger

11/27/2019

I suppose new leaf springs will also be required as well.??

Jameson C.

11/27/2019

To take advantage of the additional axle capacity you would need to upgrade to 5,200 lb axle leaf springs. But if your trailer is otherwise limited to 3,500 lbs then there would be no need to upgrade the springs. Trailer capacity is more than just the axle capacity. It's the lowest rated component in the entire trailer. Sometimes it's the axles, sometimes it's the frame. So if you can't take full advantage of the additional axle capacity anyway then sticking with what you have now is fine. Since we don't have 5,200 lb leaf springs the best option would be 6k rated leaf springs like the part # e34SR which are 25-1/4 inches long.