Looking For 3,500 lb Drum Brake Axle For 2020 Grand Design Imagine 17MKE

Updated 12/04/2025 | Published 12/03/2025

Question:

Replacing 3000 lb Dexter 120120 axles with brake drum assembly. Axles are on a 2020 Grand Design Imagine 17MKE travel trailer. Planning on replacing with at least 3500 lb axles with brake drum assembly. Looking for recommendations on part numbers and specifications on which etrailer part number would be best.

asked by: James T

Expert Reply:

Hello James, thanks for reaching out. We may have a 3,500 lb axle for you, but that will completely depend on the hub face (HF) and spring center (SC) length of the current axle. The replacement axle must be identical in length. There should be a sticker on your axle that shows this info. Otherwise you can grab a tape measure and check.

For example, the Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes # e43SR is 89" HF and 74" SC. It comes with electric brakes and 5 on 4-1/2" hubs.

Get me those measurements for your axle and I am happy to look into it and see if we have anything.

expert reply by: Jesse M

e43SR
(click to enlarge)

James T.

12/4/2025

HF = 86.50 SC= 68.50 The Grand Design Imagine 17MKE travel trailer has springs that are over slung above the axles. I understand that Dexter custom built these axles for this Grand Design travel trailer model. The axle model on my camper is Dexter 120120. It has a 3000# tube and inside bearings sized for the 3500# axle. However, all my brakes are worn. I got confused about which brake plate/drum assembly to use. The 3000# brake assembly was much more. I figure it would be better to go with the new 3500# axles with the brake drum assembly to match.

Jesse M.

12/4/2025

@JamesT Well you are right that doing a 3,500 lb axle would mean replacement parts are much less expensive and readily available. I am sorry to say though we do not offer a 3,500 lb axle in the size you need. We have an 86.5" HF axle but it is 5,200 lb. We could definitely provide the brakes # AKEBRK-35-SA and hubs # AKHD-555-35-EZ-K for a 3,500 lb alxe. We just wouldn't be able to provide the axle itself. For an axle you could try reaching out directly to Dexter. They should be able to help you get an axle in the size you need. Or they could potentially even custom make one for you. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help!