Replacement U-Bolts For A 3,500lb Axle On A 2020 Grand Design Imagine 22MLE XLS

Question:

All of your documentation says my 3500 lb axles are 2 3/8. I need to order new U-Bolts and my axle measures 3inch diameter? Grand Design Imagine XLS 22MLE - 2020 model I like the idea of the CE Smith zinc U-Bolts

asked by: John S

Expert Reply:

Since your axles are round it's actually best to measure with a set of calipers # PTW80157 instead of a tape measure, as you have to kind of eyeball and guess what the actual measurement is. Based on the picture you provided I can see you're under 3" so you would have a 2-3/8" axle unless you had some homemade axle, but I'm assuming with the age of the trailer that you're the original owner from the factory so that wouldn't be the case.

For 2-3/8" axles you'll need the CE Smith U-Bolt Kit for Mounting 3,500-lb, Round Trailer Axles # CE23002. Typically when I'm removing U-bolts I just use a grinder to cut them of since they tend to get rusted up tight and can take forever to get the flange nuts off. If you aren't going to cut them off I recommend spraying them down with some penetrating oil to make it a bit easier.

You'll want to have the trailer lifted up on some jack stands and use a some sort of hydraulic jack under the axles so that you can move them up and down while you're replacing the u-bolts. I've attached a short video Brent made showing you how to install these specific u-bolts if you'd like to check that out as well.

expert reply by: Kevin C