Determining Axle Weight Capacity in Relation to Bolt Patterns, Brake Size and Bearings

Question

Question:

Two answers end with this statement: "The next step would be to measure bolt pattern on the hub, size of brakes, and bearing part numbers, to narrow down the capacity of your axle." That old adage about assumptions comes to mind. Could you give some rule of thumb to relationship of axle capacity, bolt pattern on the hub, size of brakes... Thanks and BTW your FAQ section is great!

asked by: Tim

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

There are commonalities between bearing combinations, bolt patterns and brake sizes for certain axle capacities. Starting at the low end, axles with a 2,000 lb capacity can use a 4 or 5 bolt hub with a brake size of 7 inches x 1-1/4 inches using inner and outer bearings # L44643 or # L44649.

Axles with a 3,500 lb capacity can use a 4,5 or 6 bolt hub with a brake size of 10 inches x 2-1/4 inches, with outer bearing # L44649 and inner bearing # L68149.

For axles with a capacity of 4,400 lbs, a 6 bolt hub is needed with a brake size of 10 inches x 2-1/4 inches with bearings # L68149 and # LM67048.

Axles with a 5,200 lb capacity use a 6 bolt hub with a brake size of 12 inches x 2 inches and bearings # LM67048 and # 25580. The only difference between those axles and 6,000 lb capacity axles is that the 6k capacity uses one different bearing, # 15123.

Finally for the recreational towing market, there is the 7,000 lb capacity axle, which uses an 8 bolt hub with 12 inch x 2 inch brakes and bearings # 25580 and # 14125A. This is admittedly a lot of information to take in, so I have linked a help article which contains this information in a chart that you may find useful.

expert reply by: Kyle S

1

Answer 1

For your 2014 Forest River XLR Hyper Lite TT Toy Hauler, they used Dexter axles with spring center measurement of 68.5 inches and hub face to hub face measurement of 83.5 inches according to my contact at Forest River. When you upgrade the axle…

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Answer 2

Thank you for the photo of your converted trailer. Nice! Trailer axles usually leave the factory with a sticker or place installed directly on the axle beam that indicates the manufacturer, part number and weight rating. You can check the axles on…

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Answer 3

I do have a few easier options for you to determine the weight capacity of an axle other than using the bolt pattern or the number of lug nuts. The problem with using the bolt pattern to tell the axle capacity is that an axle may have the a bolt…

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Answer 4

Looking at the numbers on your axle we aren't going to have an exact replacement. Looks like you need a 4,400 lb axle with most likely a hub face to face dimension of 97 inches and spring seat to seat dimension of 70 inches if I am reading your…

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Answer 5

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 6

There is a good way for you to further stabilize your travel trailer and reduce sway. And since you already use a weight distribution hitch, and your Ram has Timbrens, the best option is going to be adding helper springs to your trailer. First,…

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Answer 7

I would love to help but it sounds like you have a factory integrated brake controller (ITBC) on your 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and if that is the case then you would need to take the vehicle to a service center as this is not something we can really…

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Answer 8

From the info you listed your current axle seems to be a 4,400 lb axle with 95 inches from hub face to hub face but what I am unable to totally be sure on is the distance between the spring seat centers which is important for picking out an axle that…

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Answer 9

If you are needing the hub and drum assembly then you will want to go with the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly #8-201-5UC3-EZ but if you are just looking for an idler hub then you will want part #8-213-5UC1 instead. These come with the correct…

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Answer 10

For your enclosed trailer application I have several suggestions for adding interior lighting that you can control directly via a switch. Since your current 4-pole trailer wiring does NOT include a 12V auxiliary power feed that could power inside…

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Answer 11

The only way you could power interior dome lights on a trailer without it being connected to a tow vehicle would be to power the lights with a battery like a breakaway battery. How you choose to wire up the batteries will in the end be up to you, but…

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Answer 12

I would be happy to help you set up your 2022 Toyota Highlander to haul your new travel trailer. The wiring harness you currently have controls your trailer's lighting functions only. You do not need to rewire your Toyota you just need another…

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Determining Axle Weight Capacity in Relation to Bolt Patterns, Brake Size and Bearings

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