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.
Posted 2012-08-26 12:23 PM (#146601 - in reply to #146597) Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
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.
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.
Posted 2012-08-26 5:21 PM (#146608 - in reply to #146597) Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size
Veteran
Posts: 264 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.
Posted 2012-08-27 4:12 AM (#146615 - in reply to #146597) Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size
Expert
Posts: 3802 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#.
Posted 2012-08-27 8:27 AM (#146619 - in reply to #146597) Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size
Expert
Posts: 2453 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.
Posted 2012-08-27 1:14 PM (#146627 - in reply to #146597) Subject: RE: horse trailer axle size
Member
Posts: 45 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
horse trailer axle size
