Recommended Axle Upgrade For Vintage Trailer

Question

Question:

We have a vintage camper that has a 4inch ped axle along with 4 on 9.44 wheels. Wanting to get a new setup with axle and wheels but on a more modern bolt pattern. Hub face measurement is currently 62inch but have room to go a little shorter and would like to if possible. Can you make a parts recommendation?

asked by: Brian S

0

Expert Reply:

Based on the picture you provided you are actually measuring from the inside of the drum to the inside of the drum, and not to the actual hub face.

Since you are getting 62" inside to inside you are actually probably closer to 72" hub face to hub face.

The closest standard axle we have to that length is the Dexter Trailer Idler Axle Beam with EZ-Lube Spindles - 72" Long - 2,200 lbs # T20BTR-EZ-7258 which has a hub face to hub face measurement of 72" and a spring center to spring center measurement of 58" as shown in the included diagram.

If the spring center measurement does not match your current axle you will need to remove the preinstalled spring seats and install the # TRSS175 in the correct location.

The axle in your picture has trailer brakes, but not of the axles this length are setup for trailer brakes so you will need to have a brake mounting flange # 4-34 welded on each side by a local axle shop, as it needs to be perfectly square to prevent uneven brake wear.

For brakes you will need # K23-103-104-00, and for hub and drum assemblies you will need # 8-173-16UC3 which has the common 4 on 4" bolt pattern.

Now if you are needing an axle with more than a 2200lb rating I recommend installing the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System w Electric Brake Hubs - Straight Spindle - 3,500 lbs # A35RS545E which bolt directly to the frame of your trailer so you do not need to worry about the hub face measurement. This option replaces your current leaf spring suspension with built in progressive rate AEON main springs that do a great job of absorbing road shock, and are quite the improvement over leaf springs.

The # A35RS545E includes 3500lb brakes, and hub and drum assemblies with the common 5 on 4-1/2" bolt pattern so it is all you need.

Now since you are ditching your older 4 on 9.44" wheels there are quite a few options, but the best option is the same wheel and tire size that is currently on the trailer since you know it fits without clearance issues.

If you can tell me what size wheels and tires are currently on the trailer I would be happy to recommend a replacement.

I included videos of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C

0

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Answer 1

To find the load capacity for your axle you should look on the trailer VIN plate or sticker that lists the VIN number. The weight rating of the axle should be listed on that same plate or sticker. Also, the axle could have a tag or plate on it that…

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Answer 2

The 175/80-13 tire that you have now is 24" diameter x 6.9" wide and the new 225/75-15 tire is 28.3" diameter x 8.9" wide. Therefore, the new tire size will be 4.3" larger in overall diameter and…

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Answer 3

There are really two reasons to replace a grease seal, if they are damaged or worn and leaking grease then that is an obvious factor. If you are replacing bearings it is usually best to replace the grease seals as well because although they may still…

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Answer 4

The Dexter 8-283 is an obsolete 2800lb 10 x 1-1/2 inch hub that used a LM67048 inner and a L44649 outer bearing. Unfortunately, we don't have any hubs that would be compatible with the spindles on your axle. Your best bet at this point would be…

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Answer 5

Yes, you should be concerned about your trailer brakes being connected on just one side, but before you reach out to a dealership let's double check first. Electric brakes, like the Dexter Axle #23-180-181, use magnets so when the brakes are…

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Answer 6

It is highly recommended that the spring seat be at minimum tack welded to the axle. There have been issues that have resulted from the seat not be welded to the axle. If you do not have access to a welder, I recommend taking the trailer to a local…

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Answer 7

You do have some odd measurements. You can absolutely use the parts that you mentioned and drastically change all of your trailer connection points (Plan A), however, I recommend doing something much easier and cleaner. It won't require finding…

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Answer 8

I did find a reference to a trailer hub #22834 that used a #2788 inner and a #1779 outer bearing, however I'm sorry to say the hub is obsolete and is no longer being manufactured. The hub has a 6 lug on 5-1/2 inch bolt circle. Although the hub…

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Answer 9

You likely can change the hubs on your trailer to give you a more common bolt pattern. To determine the correct fit you will need to pull one of your hubs and get the bearing number printed on the face of the inner and outer bearing. If you are…

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Answer 10

The following guidelines on trailer axle capacities are common sizes/capacities, but there are other axle sizes and capacities that are possible. These are just the most common ones. Typical Axle Diameters Based on Axle Capacity - 1,000-lb - 2,000-lb…

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Answer 11

It sounds as if you have taken all of the correct measurements to determine the correct hub and drum assembly for your trailer. Normally the spacing of the bearings is not an issue, as long as the axle used on the trailer is not an Agricultural axle…

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Answer 12

As long as your current spindle has the following measurements then you can use a 6 on 5-1/2" hub and drum assembly with your current spindle: Seal diameter - 1.719 inches Inner Bearing diameter - 1.378 inches Outer bearing diameter - 1.063…

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