Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I just ordered my Dexter Axle. It is a 2K with 3.5K hubs for the larger spindles and bearings and 5X4.5 lug pattern.

Does everyone concur that this is the proper axle for a 5' wide x 8' long, w/5'7" tongue. My brother-in-law works at Lucky B and is insisting that I put a 3.5K axle under it. He says that once I get it loaded, I will be pushing the limits of a 2K axle.
I told him that I have confered with this site and that he is use to over-building his mule trailers and does not quite understand the size and use of a TD trailer.

Please concur that I made the right choice with a little justification.

That axle will be more than sufficient for a TD. Don't let him talk you into the bigger one, it will just add un-necessary weight and expense and you will gain nothing from it. I built trailers for 15 years and only ever saw a problem with them when someone loaded them way heavier (read: abuse) than you ever will. Don't sweat it, your on the right track!

I agree with Rich...as a rule of thumb your axle should be of a capacity that is 50% over your loaded weight...so a 1000# trailer should have a 1500#axle under it and so forth...I don't think you are going to exceed those numbers(by much if any) with what you are building
madjack

My axle (Dexter #9) is rated for 2200 lbs. I estimate that my TTT will have a "dry" weight of under 1300 lbs, and no more than 1500 loaded for camping. That gives me a load capacity right at the 50% over loaded weight that Jack mentions. My TTT will weigh 50% more than most TDs, so you surely don't need anything heavier.

I did wait until I had my Dexter axle before cutting the steel for my frame and I'm glad I did. Despite being told differently, I ended up with only 1/4" clearance between the swing arm and the frame, which would not have been enough if I had cut it for 60" width. Since my 1/4" plywood will extend down the sides of the frame, I needed an additioonal 1/4" on each side to clear the arms without having to make cutouts in the plywood. So, I cut my frame for 59 1/2" width to compensate for the needed clearance. Losing the 1/2" is no big deal, since I'll have my mattress cushions custom cut anyway at Foam Products an hour's drive from my home in central Florida.