Recommended 5200lb Axle To Replace 3500lb Lippert Axle On Travel Trailer

Question:

I have a Pacific Coach Works 16’ single axle travel trailer with a 3500lb axle and 14” wheels and tires and I want to change it to a 5200lb with 15” wheels and E rated Goodyear endurance tires. Can you tell from the label in the photo what might work for this? Thanks

asked by: Mark L

Expert Reply:

I would be happy to go over an option for you, but based on the axle tag you provided your axle is pretty short at only 77.5" hub face to hub face so we do not have a 5200lb standard axle that would work as our shortest 5200lb axle is 86-1/2" long.

One option is to have an axle custom built to exactly match your current axle, you would need to go to a local axle shop for this.

The option I recommend is going with the Timbren Axle-Less Suspension System which will bolt directly to the frame of your trailer so you do not need to worry about getting the correct length, and they use a built in progressive rate AEON Main spring that replaces your leaf spring suspension and does a much better job at absorbing road shock for a smoother ride.

I recommend the # TASR5200S05 which has a 2" lift for additional clearance to run the larger 15" wheels and tires you mentioned. You will still want to measure your trailer to make sure you will have enough clearance to run the specific tire you mentioned.

This system uses hub and drum # AKHD-655-6-K, brakes # AKEBRK-7-SA, and brake mounting hardware # BRKH12.

The tire you mentioned is the Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range E 724857519 which is 28.31" tall. You will need to know the size of your current tires and measure from the top of the tire to the bottom of the fender as the recommended clearance is 3"-4" to allow the suspension to work as designed. If you can tell me the size of your current tires I would be happy to tell you the exact clearance you will need.

For wheel we have quite a few that use the 6 on 5-1/2" bolt pattern so I went ahead and linked all of our 15" wheels with the 6 on 5-1/2" bolt pattern for you to take a look at.

Lastly keep in mind that upgrading the axle capacity will not increase the GVWR of your trailer as you will be limited to the lowest rated component which would now be the trailer's frame.

I included a few videos for you to take a look at.