Recommended 3500-lb Rated Axle with Electric Brakes for Custom Utility Trailer

Question:

Need Spindles, Flange, Hub and electric brake setup for single axle, 3500 lb utility trailer. I am custom building this trailer. I am using a 2 5/8 inch square steel axle. I am using jeep wheels/rims with 5 hub bolts. the distance is 5 1/4 and a circular opening of 4 Hope that assists you. Can you please point me in the right direction. I am a customer in the past. Thanks.

asked by: Pete W

Expert Reply:

I suggest you consider an entire beam axle/brake kit like # e43SR or one of the Timbren axle-less suspension systems for your custom utility trailer build project. The reason is that using a complete kit avoids risks of any uncertainty in parts compatibility and weight capacity, and will save you an awful lot of labor time. The linked page shows you all 3500-lb-rated axle kits with electric brakes.

Note that all of these use the popular 5-on-4-1/2 wheel bolt pattern. The linked article will help you confirm your wheel bolt pattern to ensure compatibility with the hubs included in these kits.

The Dexter kit referenced above has spring centers at 74-inches and a hub face to hub face dimension of 89-inches. The kit includes the axle beam, hub/drums, brakes, bearings, races, seals, grease caps, wheel studs, lug nuts, and marine-grade wheel bearing grease.

An alternative is the easy-install Timbren axle-less systems like # A35RS545E and the similar kit that allows for a 4-inch lower deck height, part # A35RD545E, which has 4-inch drop spindles. Both kits simply bolt on to your trailer frame, and with no axle beam in the way you gain ground clearance. These too are complete systems with suspension units, spindles, hub/drums, brakes, bearings, races, seals, grease caps, wheel studs and lug nuts.

Either way you'll need a brake controller like the popular Prodigy P2 # 90885 to activate the trailer brakes when your tow vehicle slows.