Axle-Less Trailer Suspension Kit to Provide Increased Ground Clearance on Older Horse Trailer

Question:

I am trying to update an old Rice Richardson horse trailer. It currently has 6.00-16 tires which are very hard to find and also to install some kind of brakes. The current brakes are a mechanical surge brake which the previous owner rendered inoperative. I found a hub that will work on the existing axle, the DX22XR. My question is is this hub recomended for highway use? and, can I use a slip-on drum or disc to add surge brakes. All the measurements on this hub seem right, I havent shecccccked the seal size - have to pull the wheel again when weather permits. The bearings on the existing drums are 3inch from outside bearing faces. Will this hub work? Its the only thing Ive found that is close, I really dont want to change axles. The outer bearing is a Timken 09067 and the inner bearing is a Timken 14125.

asked by: Leif D

Expert Reply:

The first thing you want to do as you plan updating components on your trailer is confirm the trailer's gross weight rating (GVWR) and its axle weight rating. These matter to both hub/drum and brake selection. The Rice Richardson horse trailers I found online were smaller tandem (dual axle) types and appear to have been made in the UK.

Updating the axle will typically be your best bet for the long term. There are available bolt-on axle-less trailer suspension kits from Timbren that provide multiple benefits. First, they are available with included electric brakes, hub/drums, bearings, etc, such as their 3500-lb-rated kit # A35RS545E. Such kits provide simultaneously more ground clearance and lower deck height for easier loading of your horses. Unlike a leaf spring beam axle these operate independently and deliver a smoother ride. Also, wiring electric brakes is a whole lot easier than dealing with hydraulic lines, surge actuators, bleeding brakes, etc.

You may even be able to replace two axles (and four wheels and tires) with one higher-rated Timbren kit, like the 7K # TASR7KS01. This means you get the benefits noted above AND fewer hubs to maintain and fewer tires to replace.

Timken bearing 09067 has an inner bore diameter of 0.75-inch. The only bearing we offer with this inside diameter is bearing # LM11949. This bearing is usually specified for 3K-rated axles. your other bearing # 14125A has an inner bore diameter of 1.250-inches but is usually specified for axles rated for 5K and above. Please note that in general the older a trailer is and the more owners it has had over the years the more likely that alternate parts may have been substituted along the way.

Another option is to replace your spindles only. This requires a skilled welder with the appropriate tools to ensure the new spindles are welded on perfectly straight and concentric with the axle. This is definitely not a job for the average DIY-er.

For the Hub # DX22XR you referenced there are no rotor-only disc brake kits to fit its 5-on-4-1/2 wheel bolt pattern. Such kits start at an axle weight rating of 5200-lbs and work only on idler hubs with the 6-on-5-1/2 or 8-on-6-1/2 bolt patterns.