Can Replacement Trailer Axle with Smaller Diameter be Used on a Boat Trailer

Question:

I have a 2003 Bass Tracker Pro 175TX, Axle is bent and wearing tires. I only want to replace the axle. This appears to be the axle Im looking for except tube diameter is smaller than mine. Do you see that as a problem?

asked by: Bill P

Expert Reply:

If the axle is bent up in the middle then that is normal. Trailer axles have a bow in them so that when weight is placed on the trailer it flattens out. That is part of what gives an axle its capacity. If there is not enough weight on the axle then the tires will remain toe in at the bottoms and you will get tread wear just on the outsides of the tread.

If the axle is bent in some other way then replacing the axle is a good idea. The diameter difference means that you would likely have to use a different u-bolt kit for the suspension, # APUBR-10 for axle # T20BTR-EZ-7258. Other than that as long as the measurements and capacity are correct it would work.

expert reply by: Michael H