If a tandem axle trailer only has one braking axle it will typically be the front axle.
If you are looking to add an axle I recommend that you check with your local laws regarding trailer weights and braking axle requirements. Not all states allow for idler axles if the trailer weight exceeds a specified amount.
I have linked an article that we have created that will discuss axle mounting location. If you are adding the axle you will need to determine if your 2nd axle will require you... view full answer...
If the tandem axle trailer uses spring axles then the one axle with brakes should be the rear axle. If the tandem trailer uses torsion axles then the one axle with brakes should be the front axle. view full answer...
We do not offer torsion axles due to shipping size and weight restrictions. We do offer leaf spring beam axles up to a 3500-lb rating and we offer Timbren axle-less suspensions as well. If you want to add a second axle to an existing single-axle trailer you potentially can do so but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Adding the second axle does NOT necessarily increase the trailer's weight-carrying capacity. This might be the case but only if the axles were the trailer's lowest-rated... view full answer...
A trailer that was built with three axles will have a gross weight rating (GVWR) based on the combined weight capacities of the three axles. Removing any of them will substantially reduce the trailer's weight carrying capacity.
If you had reason to remove one of the three axles on a trailer it would be best to remove either the front or rear axle, but not the middle one. If you removed the middle axle there would be a large gap between the two remaining axles and this would cause more... view full answer...
Determining the location of the axles on your triple axle trailer can be difficult, but basically you want to locate the axles so that the tongue weight of the trailer is 10 percent of the total trailer.
Typically on triple axle trailers the center axle will be located 60 percent of the way from the front of the trailer and 40 percent from the back. This isn't always the case as boat trailer and some flat bed trailers have the axles more to the back of the trailer.
For example, if the... view full answer...
Determining the location of the axles on your triple axle trailer can be difficult, but basically you want to locate the axles so that the tongue weight of the trailer is 10 percent of the total trailer. I attached a picture that details the process.
Typically on triple axle trailers the center axle will be located 60 percent of the way from the front of the trailer and 40 percent from the back. This isn't always the case as boat trailer and some flat bed trailers have the axles more to... view full answer...
Really it depends on which axle is carrying more of the weight. Typically the front axle is the braking axle for most utility trailer and campers but for boat trailers where the weight is more on the back it's typically the rear axle.
We have also found that most torsion brake axles are the rear axles as well. view full answer...
If you had two 3,500 lb axles your trailer would have an overall axle capacity of 7,000 lbs. The individual axles themselves are rated at 3,500 lbs.
Typical Axle Diameters Based on Axle Capacity
- 1,000-lb - 2,000-lb Axles: 1-1/2 inch - 1-3/4 inch diameter
- 3,500-lb Axles: 2-3/8 inch diameter
- 6,000-lb - 7,200-lb Axles: 3 inch diameter
- 8,000-lb Axles: 3-1/2 inch diameter
- 9,000-lb Axles: 4 inch diameter
- 10,000-lb Or more axles: 5 inch diameter
Trailer overall capacities aren't... view full answer...
I would not recommend adding the Timbren Heavy-Duty Axle-Less Trailer Suspension # TASR35HDS11 behind or in front of your existing axle to transform your single axle trailer into a tandem.
First the single axle that you currently have will likely have a different deflection distance than the Timbren which could lead to parts being damaged easier.
Second the weight would most likely not be balanced properly across the trailer and axles. As it sits your single axle is at the load point... view full answer...
When positioning a trailer axle or adding an additional axle, the key is to make sure that the axles are located in just the right position so that roughly 10 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight is placed on the tongue. Finding the correct axle location can take some trial and error, so it is best to mock up the locations for all the suspension components until you know everything is in the right spot.
I have a diagram and a help article attached that will show you how to recalculate... view full answer...
You can increase your trailer axle weight capacity by swapping out your tandem 3,500 lb axles for higher capacity axles like ones rated for 6,000 lbs but the trailer axles aren't always the lowest rated component on a trailer. We do have a wide variety of trailer axles that I am linking for you to filter through but you'll need to match the hub-face and spring-center measurements with what you currently have (see attached photo) and you'll need to verify with your trailer manufacturer that... view full answer...
Brakes can be installed on only one axle of a tandem axle trailer, however you should first check your state laws to see how many brakes are required for the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of your tandem axle trailer. Some states require a specific number of brakes based on the maximum weight capacity of a trailer.
If you are able to install brakes on only one axle, I recommend installing them on the front axle if you use a torsion axle or on the rear axle if you are using tubular... view full answer...
This is a really great question but it depends on what the trailer will carry. For most applications you'd want the front axle of the tandem axle trailer to be the brake axle but if it's a boat trailer (particularly with an outboard motor) you'd want it to be the rear axle. Basically it comes down to which axle would be carry more of the trailer's weight. view full answer...
Yes. Turning a single axle trailer into a dual axle trailer is possible. It will require relocating your axle and adding another one as well as welding hangers and adding springs. However, there is an easier option to all of this and that is using the axle-less system from Timbren and bolting them to your frame. The two spindles should split the distance of your current single axle. The axle-less system also gives you greater ground clearance because there is no axle in the middle... view full answer...
It sounds like you are making or rebuilding a trailer. It's a good idea to have both axles rated the same on a tandem axle trailer. Together the 5,200 lbs Dexter Trailer Axle # 6340624-EB and 3,500 lbs Dexter Trailer Axle # 7359765-EB would be 8,700 lbs, however depending on how your trailer was loaded and the position of each axle it may not be able to handle the weight. Not to mention the bolt pattern is different, so different wheels and tires would need to be used for each axle. Keeping... view full answer...
I would be happy to recommend a shock system for your tandem axle trailer.
The correct system for your application is going to be based on the rating of your current axles, since each kit is designed to fit a certain diameter axle, and going with a system that is severely overrated will actually hurt the ride of trailer by being too stiff and not allowing the trailers suspension to do its job.
Since you mentioned that your trailer has tandem axles you will need a kit that is designed... view full answer...
A tandem axle trailer splits the load of the trailer weight to both axles evenly. But in order to do this you'll need to move the current axle forward to install the # A20RS545 in the proper location. Basically where you current axle center is would be the location for the exact distance between the two axles. view full answer...
A trailer's axles must be rated for at least the maximum trailer weight, its GVWR, or gross vehicle weight rating. This is the most the trailer can weigh when loaded. Naturally it is advisable to have some safety margin too.
The standard beam axles we sell have ratings up to 3500-lbs. Higher-rated axles are made, of course, but we do not ship them due to shipping size and weight restrictions. Two 3500-lb axles in a tandem axle set-up would not have enough capacity, but three 3500-lb axles... view full answer...
If you have trailer brakes on only one axle, it is best to have it on the front axle. This is not uncommon for tandem axle trailers, but is not common for triple axle trailers.
I highly recommend putting brakes on at least two of the three axles to give you better braking with a trailer heavy enough for three axles. If you choose to use just two braking axles, I recommend adding brakes to the front two. view full answer...
In order to mount the round 2,000 pound axle under your trailer's leaf springs, we will need to piece together an over-under kit for the 1-3/4 inch outer diameter of the axle. The Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kits that you referenced are made for axles with a 2-3/8 inch round axle # K71-384-00 or 3 inch round axle # K71-385-00. The Dexter 2,200 pound straight axles have a 1-3/4 inch outer diameter. I have attached a link to all of the 2,000 pound axles we offer.
To mount... view full answer...
Go To Results