horse trailer axle size
Willow3
Reg. Aug 2012
Posted 2012-08-26 11:10 AM (#146597)
Subject: horse trailer axle size


New User


Posts: 2

Location: Montney
Could someone advise about the correct size of axle to order for a 2 horse LQ trailer with a 9 ft short wall?One recommendation was that the 7000 lb axle would provide better breaking ability. The other comment was, that the larger axle would make the ride considerably rougher. I will haul on some gravel and am also concerned with clearance.
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
horsey1
Reg. Dec 2004
Posted 2012-08-26 12:23 PM (#146601 - in reply to #146597)
Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size


Elite Veteran


Posts: 720
500100100

How wide? Mangers? Hay rack? Escape door? (which pushes the axles back, and lightens the load on the axles & increases the load on the truck) All of these determine how much extra stuff you put in the trailer. If you really want to do it right, then you need to get an approximate loaded weight together, then calculate your axle weight.

 

Clearance- can be whatever you want. Axles are routinely blocked or have articulation changed to alter ride height.



Edited by horsey1 2012-08-26 12:25 PM
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
Willow3
Reg. Aug 2012
Posted 2012-08-26 12:31 PM (#146602 - in reply to #146597)
Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size


New User


Posts: 2

Location: Montney
7'6" wide, 7'6" tall, no mangers, no hay rack. I don't know the weight of the trailer yet as I am still at the stage of picking the options I would like. Hope this helps.
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
gonzo1066
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2012-08-26 5:21 PM (#146608 - in reply to #146597)
Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size


Veteran


Posts: 264
1001002525
Location: Sumas Washington
By all means a pair of 7000# axles.  I find that the 7000#ers are actually smoother riding than the undersized 5000#ers.  The 7000# axles will have a heavier duty rim and tire.  The tire will be much more durable and long lasting..  No contest in my book.
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
conner
Reg. Feb 2010
Posted 2012-08-26 10:53 PM (#146614 - in reply to #146597)
Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size


Member


Posts: 31
25
Be really sure those axles are DEXTERS. D E X T E R. You don't want some of the lesser kind!!!
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
retento
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2012-08-27 4:12 AM (#146615 - in reply to #146597)
Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size


Expert


Posts: 3802
20001000500100100100
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.

For what it's worth. I have an all aluminum three horse slant with a 10' short wall DR that has Dexter 5500# axles with 8 lug wheels, LT235-85x16 lrE tires and 12"x2' brakes... Trailer would ride a bit stiffer with 7000# axles. GVWR on tag states 11000#.

 

share Top of the page Bottom of the page
Painted Horse
Reg. May 2005
Posted 2012-08-27 8:27 AM (#146619 - in reply to #146597)
Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size



Expert


Posts: 2453
20001001001001002525
Location: Northern Utah

The brake shoes on the 5200lb and 7000lb axles are the same,. They are both 12"x2" shoes. So I doubt the comment about braking is valid. Either axle will have the same braking capacity.

Either axle will have the ability to use 235/85r16 tires. The difference being what load range the manufacture installs. Get at least a load range "E"  Which will give you 3042lbs per tire.  Or in a load Range "G" will give you 3750 lbs per tire.  The 5200 lb axles may come standard with load range "D" tires.

I would rather have several thousand lbs of extra capacity with the 7000 lb axles vs saving $200-$300 on the trailer and always being right at my limit. The difference in the cost of the axles is not all that great. But you will have the incremental cost of better tires and rims if you buy the heavier axles that is also added to cost.

share Top of the page Bottom of the page
d2allen
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2012-08-27 1:14 PM (#146627 - in reply to #146597)
Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size


Member


Posts: 45
25
Location: Mead, WA
How can I tell what size axles my trailer has? It's an Elite 8' wide, 3 horse, 9' l.q. with Dexter axles, but nothing in the owners manual tells me what size they are. This discussion has me wondering. Thanks! d2allen
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
retento
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2012-08-27 1:29 PM (#146629 - in reply to #146597)
Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size


Expert


Posts: 3802
20001000500100100100
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.

Axle info should be on serial number placard/plate/sticker... Along with tire and rim size and GVWR.

 

share Top of the page Bottom of the page