Posted 2011-08-27 8:13 PM (#137051) Subject: Axle Weight Upgrade on New Trailer
New User
Posts: 3
Newbie to this forum.
We're ordering a new 4 Star gooseneck, 2-horse straight load trailer with escape doors and 4 ft tack room. The dealer recommended we upgrade from the standard 3500# axles to 5200# axles. The upgrade is about $750, which includes bigger tires and brakes. Price seems reasonable, but does it make a difference?
Posted 2011-08-27 9:49 PM (#137052 - in reply to #137051) Subject: RE: Axle Weight Upgrade on New Trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Upgrading the axles, wheels and tires will allow a greater weight capacity, which increases your reserve capacity. This reduces the wear normally found on the lighter weight components. In addition, finding D and E weight rated tires is much easier in the 16" diameters, as apposed to the 15" wheels. By running these tires at a lower loading, their core heating will be lower, their rolling resistance will be less, and their wear will also be decreased.
The larger wheels also allow larger barkes to be installed. If they are, that is a strong benefit. When we last ordered a new trailer, we upgraded to larger axles. We carried many items that exceeded the horses' weights with no difficulties or blow outs. It was a decision I've never regretted.
Posted 2011-08-28 3:08 PM (#137063 - in reply to #137051) Subject: RE: Axle Weight Upgrade on New Trailer
Veteran
Posts: 127 Location: rapid city sd
Unless your horses weigh 1500# each I wouldn't use the larger axels on that small of a trailer. You need to go for a ride in the back of the trailer and feel what it's going to do for the horses. I had a 03 4star 6 horse w/7000# 8'wide and loaded. I loved it. Traded for an 05 made the same way except 8000# and if we only had a couple of horses in it, rode way too rough and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Have an 11 Platinum 5 horse w/8' short wall and with the interior justifies the 8000# the factory recomends. Don't over axel if you care about your horses
Posted 2011-08-28 3:49 PM (#137064 - in reply to #137051) Subject: RE: Axle Weight Upgrade on New Trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
I'd go with 16' tires because most new trucks are tall. But Witewood has good points on the axles. Don't just throw out the factory engineer's logic just because "everybody" says get bigger axles. Bigger is not always better. Over-axled is not good on a chassis.
Posted 2011-08-29 11:13 AM (#137091 - in reply to #137051) Subject: RE: Axle Weight Upgrade on New Trailer
Veteran
Posts: 229
Copperhead, I would go with the dealer's recommendation and take the upgrade. On a three horse, you usually get heavier rated axles than on a two horse, but leaving out, most folks are carrying the same weight with both trailers, a couple of horses, hay, water, tack. Many folks get the three horse just for ease of resale and just put "stuff" in the front stall. I'm willing to bet, with the difference in axle placement, that my 2h LQ pin weight was just as heavy if not heavier than my current 3H LQ pin weight, even with the bigger LQ. With a two horse, folks tend to pack the trailer to the gills. Add a hayrack with 4 bales of hay and a 48 gallon water tank in it and you have an easy additional 1000 lbs extra for your trailer to carry. Add some side brackets and panels and you have some more weight. By the time I got finished, I certainly wished that my 2H had had the bigger axles.
Posted 2011-08-30 10:14 PM (#137144 - in reply to #137051) Subject: RE: Axle Weight Upgrade on New Trailer
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
I switched trailers years ago, went from 5500# axles to 7000#ers, The best move I ever made. Carrying the same load I reduced my tire pressure and the trailer rode MUCH better. Tires lasted longer. I finally got to a point that I wore the tread off of tires instead of blowing them out. I felt like a genius..
Axle Weight Upgrade on New Trailer
