Replacement Axles, Leaf Springs, and Equalizers for 2010 Keystone Cougar 26BHSWE

Updated 05/04/2022 | Published 05/03/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Trailer Axle Beam with Easy Grease Spindles - 86-1/2" Long - 5,200 lbs

(248)

$244.69

Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 5,200-lb and 6,000-lb Axles - 6 on 5-1/2 - Pre Greased

(1078)

$299.46

etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 5.2K to 7K

(3070)

$186.02

Mounting Bolts and Hardware for 12" Brake Assemblies

(222)

$38.86

4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 5,000-lb Trailer Axles - 25-1/4" Long

(2084)

$70.28

Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension Kit - Double-Eye Springs - Tandem Axle - 6,000 lbs

(586)

$362.67

MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit for Tandem Axle Trailers - 2-1/4" Long Shackle Straps

(1957)

$125.09

MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit for Tandem Axle Trailers - 3-1/8" Long Shackle Straps

(1957)

$119.44

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

(641)

$11.81

Question:

My 2010 Keystone Cougar 26BHSWe is in need of some TLC - I would like to replace both axles, equalizers, and leaf packs - and need some professional advice on ing the right components. I have attached photos of the existing dexter d44 axles and would greatly appreciate your professional insight! Thanks

asked by: Matt C

Expert Reply:

From what I have found, you have 4,400 lb axles on your 2010 Keystone Cougar 26BHSWE. Your axles have a hub face measurement of 85" and a 68-1/2" spring center. Unfortunately, 4,400 lb axles are no longer being made so you will also be replacing the hubs and drums.

When choosing a replacement axle you typically want to match the hub face measurement. You will also need a higher capacity axle (5,200 lb) since moving down in capacity wouldn't be enough for your 7,800 lb GVWR. I recommend using the Trailer Axle Beam with Easy Grease Spindles - 86-1/2" Long - 5,200 lbs # e45GR. This is slightly longer, but you will only stick out 3/4" more on either side.

This has a spring-center-to-spring-center length of 71-1/2", so you will also need to cut off the spring seats and weld on new ones to match your current 68-1/2" measurement. For that you will need the Spring Seat for Typical 5,200-lb to 7,200-lb, Round Trailer Axles with 3" Diameter # TRSS300.

For hubs you can use the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 5,200-lb and 6,000-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 12" - 6 on 5-1/2 # 8-201-9UC3-EZ.For brakes you will need the Electric Trailer Brake Kit - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 5.2K to 7K # AKEBRK-7-SA along with the mounting hardware # BRKH12.

I was also able to find the length of your current leaf springs. What you have now is 25-1/4" long so you can use the 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 5,000-lb Trailer Axles - 25-1/4" Long # e44SR as a replacement. This does not have to match the axle capacity exactly since you are still limited by the GVWR of the trailer.

Information is not available on your equalizers so you will need to measure and see what you currently have. You want to measure the distance from center of left-most eye to center of right-most eye along with the height from center of bottom hole to center of top hole. Once you have this you can match it up to our available equalizers.

If you want upgraded equalizers the same is true. The Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension Kit - Double-Eye Springs - Tandem Axle - 6,000 lbs # K71-652-00 is a good choice and matches a lot of standard Dexter equalizers. It is 5-5/8" long and 2" tall. This also comes with upgraded shackles and wet bolts.

Even if you choose to stick with a standard equalizer, I recommend upgrading to heavy duty shackles, bronze bushings, and wet bolts. To choose the correct kit you will again need to measure. This time you're measuring your shackles. Length is measured from the center of one bolt hole to the center of the other. If you have 2-1/4" shackles you can use the MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit for Tandem Axle Trailers # MR46ZR. For 3-1/8" you would need the # MR76ZR.