Hi, I am new here. I have been looking at this forum for quite a while, but just never joined.
I have searched for information here, but have not found what I am looking for.
I just bought a trailer. The dealer said it has 5200 lb axles. But the tires are 225/75/15 load range D, 2540 lb capacity tires. Is this correct, likely, possible? I thought they couldn't rate the axle higher than what the tires are rated. 2540 x 2 = 5080 < 5200. I realize that the axle is not rated by the tire, but from what I understand, that is why some trailers have 6000 lb axles (a 7000 lb axle with load range E tires). It has the 6 on 5.5" hubs. It seems a few people on here are pretty knowledgeable on axles and tires.I just want to be sure I don't have 3500 lb axles.
Posted 2006-04-13 1:11 PM (#40377 - in reply to #40376) Subject: RE: 5200 lb axles
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by jdzaharia on 2006-04-13 1:52 PM
Hi, I am new here. I have been looking at this forum for quite a while, but just never joined.
I have searched for information here, but have not found what I am looking for.
I just bought a trailer. The dealer said it has 5200 lb axles. But the tires are 225/75/15 load range D, 2540 lb capacity tires. Is this correct, likely, possible? I thought they couldn't rate the axle higher than what the tires are rated. 2540 x 2 = 5080 < 5200. I realize that the axle is not rated by the tire, but from what I understand, that is why some trailers have 6000 lb axles (a 7000 lb axle with load range E tires). It has the 6 on 5.5" hubs. It seems a few people on here are pretty knowledgeable on axles and tires.I just want to be sure I don't have 3500 lb axles.
Hi and Welcome to the Forum.
The fact that they are load range D tires and the rims are 6 stud tells me that it is most probably on 5,000 or 5,200 lb axles. 5 stud is the usual pattern for 3,500 lb axles and even with load range C ST225/75R15 tires the tires outrate the axles.
Lessee here 5200 - 5080 = 120
Bahh, a coupla percent - not something I'd lose any sleep over.
The GOOD news is that the dealer couldn't swap lighter weight (5 stud) rims onto a 6 stud hub (-:
Posted 2006-04-13 3:22 PM (#40383 - in reply to #40376) Subject: RE: 5200 lb axles
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
Thanks Reg. I am not worried about getting exactly 5200 lb capacity or that the axles outrate the tires. I just want to make sure I have the heavier axles. And on the manufacturers website, it says they put 6 hole wheels on both 3500 and 5200 lb axles. I suppose I could always call the manufacturer with the VIN and verify it. Well, I won't lose any sleep.
Posted 2006-04-13 8:55 PM (#40401 - in reply to #40376) Subject: RE: 5200 lb axles
Veteran
Posts: 143 Location: southeast U.S.A.
jdzaharia,
Hi and welcome to the forum.
We have an 94 model trailer that required a new vin sticker from the manufacturer because the original sticker did not list the gvwr.
when they sent us the new sticker it was listed at #12,200 lbs. yet the trailer has 7000 lb. axles.hope this helps,
Ardly
When I spoke to them about this I was told that they could only rate the trailer as high as the original tires where rated as it came from the factory and no allowance was made for the tongue wieght that would be carried by the truck.
Posted 2006-04-15 7:30 AM (#40467 - in reply to #40376) Subject: RE: 5200 lb axles
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
Here is the clincher. If the axle has 10" x 2-1/4" brakes, 5 or 6 bolt wheels, and the bearings are L68149 and L44649, it is 3500#. If the axle has 12" x 2" brakes, 6 or 8 bolt wheels, and the bearings are 25580 and 15123, it is a 5200# or 6000# axle.
Corn Pro, for instance, puts 6 bolt wheels and ST225 tires on all their 3500# axles. Most manufacturers will rate their trailer at the lowest rating, either axle, tire, or wheel combination, whichever is lowest. Others will use just the axle capacity, and some pull figures out of the air that exceed all capacities and justify it by saying they are considering the weight carried by the towing vehicle.
The best thing for the consumer is to not only know the rating, but know how it was determined. Then make decisions accordingly.
Posted 2006-04-15 11:13 AM (#40476 - in reply to #40467) Subject: RE: 5200 lb axles
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Kay on 2006-04-15 8:30 AM
Here is the clincher. If the axle has 10" x 2-1/4" brakes, 5 or 6 bolt wheels, and the bearings are L68149 and L44649, it is 3500#. If the axle has 12" x 2" brakes, 6 or 8 bolt wheels, and the bearings are 25580 and 15123, it is a 5200# or 6000# axle.
Corn Pro, for instance, puts 6 bolt wheels and ST225 tires on all their 3500# axles. Most manufacturers will rate their trailer at the lowest rating, either axle, tire, or wheel combination, whichever is lowest. Others will use just the axle capacity, and some pull figures out of the air that exceed all capacities and justify it by saying they are considering the weight carried by the towing vehicle.
The best thing for the consumer is to not only know the rating, but know how it was determined. Then make decisions accordingly.
I *_LIKE IT_* !!!
Pulling bearings and looking for finely etched part numbers isn't something most of us are willing to do at the dealership while still negotiating price (-:
Although "Engineering Wise" the bearings are probably one of the primary determinants of axle capacity.
The 10 inch vs 12 inch brake drums are a lot easier to spot and compare to shoe/boot size without being TOO obvious. Eight studs is also a clincher, as long as you're not just looking at a chrome wheel cover (-:
BTW, I don't think the original poster told us much else about the trailer.
e.g. if it is an aluminum 2 horse bumper pull with no tack/dr it is more LIKELY to be on 3,500 lb axles - and they are appropriate. OTOH, if it is a steel goosie and measures much over 30ft overall then it is very unlikely to have 3,500 lb axles under it (-:
5200 lb axles
