Is this Axle Suitable?

[KendaldaCosta]

Hi all,

I'm building a 5 x 10 x 5 high trailer and I'd like to know if the axle I'm choosing is suitable for this application. I have modified an old tent trailer frame to suit my size requirements, but the axle that came with it was in bad shape, so I plan to add this one. I think it is suitable, but I'd like to get a second (or third) opinion on it.

My frame/cab width is 60". I estimate that I'll be about 2000 lbs unloaded.

is 72" too wide/narrow for a 60" cab?
is 3500lbs too much?

I've linked a screenshot of the axle below.

https://imgur.com/a/RUDNsCo

[Ottsville]

Weight wise, it's fine. Many people that build off road capable tears go with the 3500 lb axle because it comes with larger, stronger spindles. You can tune your springs to your load.

Whether the width is correct depends on your wheels and how you are building. Will your walls overlap the frame or sit on top? Lay a 4' level across the back side your tire and measure from the bottom of the level to the bolt face on the wheel. Add that measurement to whatever gap you want between the frame and tire, double that total, then add your trailer width. That should give you your axle measurement.

[tony.latham]

My first five-wide was built using a 75" (hub face to hub face) axle. On the last one, I ordered it at 74" ––if I recall–– and that was just right.



Me and the U.S. Armey like Dexter Torflex axles but I don't want to start an axle war.

Tony

[working on it]

*I've used Rockwell American axles before, and they're high quality. I installed two similar ones (but wider) as replacement axles on my 16'+ dovetail, tandem-axle car-hauler, back in 2007. Brakes on 4 wheels sure made a difference! But, I wish I had bought 5200-lb axles instead, because I've overloaded it once or twice, and even broke a spring (old, rusty).
*For a 5x10 trailer, it should be capable of supporting a 2000 lb structure, but you need to get springs tailored to the travelling weight of the finished trailer. I aimed for 1000 lbs, but ended up at about 2065 lbs (my latest calculated weight), so choose your springs wisely!
*That axle looks to be correct for your application, since you say your frame is 60" wide, and the axle data shows a spring center of 58"...if the 60" measurement you gave was outside edge-to-outside edge of your frame rails. If your frame rails are 2" wide, each, then the your spring center (measured at the center point of the width of each frame rail, center point-to-center point) would be 58".
*The additional 14" of axle length, or 12" from frame sides (6"on each side, frame to hub face) will make a total width, using standard trailer wheels and 205/75-15 ST tires (used as an example...I use 27x8.5-14 LT tires, and recommend using LT tires) come to a little over 80" (the 15" tires are about 8.1" wide, with 4"+, past the hub face). If you mount fenders to your frame, or even to siding hanging down over the frame, then standard-with 10-11" wide fenders will work (mine are 9" wide, and I added fender flares to compensate). If you get wider tires, or offset wheels, then you'll have to adjust to the different specs.

[noseoil]

My 5X10 recent build uses a 72" axle & it's fine with the standard 15" trailer rims & tires. A 58" spring center will give you a 60" frame width, with 2" tubing & 1 3/4" wide springs & hangers. Mine ended up with about a 2" gap between the outside edge of the frame rail & the inside edge of the tire (205/70-R15). This is with an idler axle, no brakes, but it works well & there's plenty of clearance this way.