Recommended Axle Capacity for 12,000 Pound Home Made Trailer

Question:

Im building a 33 foot boat trailer with 3 axles. The boat weight is around 10,000 lbs and a trailer weight of about 1800 lbs. what do you recommend ?

asked by: David W

Expert Reply:

In total you need enough capacity for around 12,000 pounds. Using tradition axles you can use 4,400 pound axles but those tend to be fairly expensive and replacement parts can be harder to find later. But the capacity of 3 of them would be 13,200 pounds which is a good place to be at.

Another option is to use 6,000 pound axles. Making the trailer tandem axle instead of a triple would then be an option if you want. You can still have three 6,000 pound axles and the axles will be rated higher than necessary.

We do not carry 4,400 or 6,000 pound axles so with either I recommend ordering them from a trailer shop that's local to you.

Another option is to use an axle-less system which we do carry the parts for. The Timbren Suspension System # TASR7KS01 is rated for 7,000 pounds. It's 2 separate units that are installed onto the trailer's frame and replace the suspension and axles. However, Timbrens shouldn't be used on triple axle trailers so you would only be able to have a tandem axle trailer.

On another note I've attached an image with a formula that may help you determine the placement of the axles and the suspension hangers.

expert reply by: Charles S