We are in the final stages of ordering a new trailer. Its going to be a 3h GN that we're adding some length to...making it just under a 4h length...no LQ. With some other adds, we're looking at an empty trailer weight in the 4800-5000lb range.I've searched as much as I can and find all sorts of info about what is the "minimum", but can't find anything about good reasons to not go above the min.We've looked at several top brands that are all extremely well built...for a trailer this size, most of them are planning 7000lb axles, and LT235/85r16 "E" tires. However, the one we have chosen to go with comes with 5200lb axles & ST235/80r16 "D" tires.From my understanding of the calculations, if we assume a 25% tongue weight, these axles could support up to ~13,866. No chance this trailer will ever be loaded up that much...in fact, 10k will be a stretch...so the 5200lb axles will meet the weight requirement. BUT I'm a bit of a proponent of building things a little heavier & tougher than required. We've done this throughout the rest of the trailer, any good reason to NOT do this with the axles? My thought is to bump to 6000lb or even to 7000lb axles...will the ride suffer much? Am I nuts? Over time, with use, will these axles lose any of their capacity? We're talking good Dexter torsion axles.How about the tires...I'm NOT a fan of ST tires. I've been through about 8 sets on our current trailer. We have a size that we can't find LT tires & can't adjust unless I change rims also...so just have stuck with what we have. The ST tires have been very inconsistent. I think I've had a blowout from every different tire location, when they all looked perfect before leaving, once even on the first trip after buying them...consequently I always travel with 2 spares these days. Also, you can almost never get the same tire twice with ST. Even the time I blew out on the first trip, went back the next week and sure they replaced it for free, but couldn't get a matching tire!! I know on here there are proponents of both "always ST for trailers" and "I only use LT"...With an LT I KNOW what I'm getting...not sure I do with an ST. Any GOOD reason to not ditch the ST 235/80r16 D tires and go with good Michelin LT 235/85r16 E tires?Also debating steel v. aluminum rims. Anybody ever heard of Lynx aluminum wheels? Made by a company called Sumec? These are the type that would come with the trailer...was really thinking either steel wheels or top notch Alcoa aluminum, but have never heard of these & don't know if they are good quality or not.One other question that I've been wondering...I've been looking at towing ratings to determine what I can tow. I've had a situation where I was hauling a loaded trailer...no problem at all in the flat and hills...got into the mountains and going up a pass, it was working for sure, nothing too bad, but def could tell a difference from flat. Going down the other side though I felt like I was really working, even with a trailer brake, to keep it from pushing me down the slope.So, I was wondering...I see ratings for trucks posted where the tow rating is higher if the rear axle is geared differently (like 3.73 to 4.10 on chevy)...I can see why this might make it easier to pull UP a hill, or pull a heavier load on the flat...but to me the limitation on what I can tow is what I can STOP or control going down a mountain pass, not what I can pull going up. Can't imagine the difference in rear differential making a difference in this...maybe I'm an idiot, but thoughts?Much thanks in advance for any advice.jj
Axles, Wheels, Tires, etc
