Is 23 inches from Spring Seat to Hub Face Too Long

Question:

I have a question about trailer axle hub face to spring perch correct distance. I have been told that the distance from spring perch to hub face should not exceed 9 or 10 inches due to various factors including side-loading the bearings and wheel studs, etc. Is this correct or is there some rule of thumb that needs to be followed? My question specifically is that I have a single wheel axle that is 101 inches total in length, track length hub face to hub face is 96 inches. Currently the center of the spring perches are at 8 inches from the hub face 80 inches center to center. The trailer mounting surface I want to install this on is 50 inches center to center which means there will be 23 inches on each side from the center of the spring perch to the hub face. This seems like a great deal more than my other trailers which are more like 8-9 inches from spring perch center to hub face. Is there an actual recommended distance and a maximum safe distance?

asked by: Doug O

Expert Reply:

At 8 or 9 inches you're good but not at 23 inches per side. If this is a build you are doing then the frame width will have to be greater. Otherwise you will run into suspension, tire wear, and running gear problems. I checked with Dexter Axle but could not find a minimum or maximum.

Another option is to use a Timbren Axle-Less system, see link, so that the frame spacing would not matter. Also they have built-in suspension so you would not have to worry about maintaining leaf springs and related parts.

expert reply by: Michael H