How Can I Determine The Weight Capacity Of Axles On 1972 Gooseneck Trailer?
Updated 11/17/2025 | Published 12/16/2024
Question:
i have a gooseneck trailer that i think was made in 1972 im trying to figure out the axle capacity on. it has 8x6.5 lug, 3-14/ axle tube, 61-3/8 spring center, 74 hub face, bower 388-A bearings, national 2081 seal.
asked by: James
Expert Reply:
Hey James, thanks for reaching out. That is a really difficult question to answer because trailers made way back then did not use standardized parts and a lot of older axles and now obsolete. All I can really do is take an educated guess and that would be an axle rating between 8,000 and 12,000 lbs. Most 8 lug hubs are for 7K-12K axles, and the 3-1/2" tube diameter indicates a heavier duty axle 8K or up. I wish I could give you more specific info, but since the axle is so old, there is no way to know for sure. The axle tag would be the only way to know and I am sure the tag on your axle is long gone.
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Jesse M.
11/17/2025
Hey James, were you able to confirm the axle rating on your old gooseneck trailer? Knowing what you found could help others trying to identify older axles like yours.