Recommended Drop Axle for Trailer With 80 Inch Spring Center

Question

Question:

I am converting an old Sheridan boat trailer to haul and airplane. Current axles are rusty and need to be wider. The trailer is tandem axle galvanized steel about 23 feet long. There will be about 5 feet of bed behind the back axle. Rail widths are 81. Load width is 92inch so I need trailer wheels wider to prevent interference. Plane is relatively light 1400lb, but would like to be able to haul other heavier loads. I would like to run the trailer bed low to the ground to make roll on loading easier. Current axles are straight with 24inch wheels on leaf springs. I was thinking a drop axle might be a good choice and wanted to see what you guys have. Also curious as to whether the leaf springs could be shackled under the axle to it down lower. Disclaimer. I am pretty good with a welder, but have no trailer design background.

asked by: David F

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Expert Reply:

The best option we have for you is going to be with the Dexter Trailer Axle Beam with 4" Drop E-Z Lube Spindles part # 7685269 which has a 3,500 lb weight capacity. This will allow the tires to extend out past your load and will provide you with the low load height you will need. The spring center spacing on this axle is set at 80" but if this does not match what you have on your trailer now then you can always move them to where you need them with part # TRSS238. The leaf springs will be located under the axle tube with this setup.

If you would like to add brakes to this axle then you can do so with the Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # AKEBRK-35-SA and the Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly part # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K otherwise, you can just use the Trailer Idler Hub Assembly part # AKIHUB-545-35-EZ-K. I also recommend that you replace the u-bolts as well for which we have the U-Bolt Kit for Mounting 3,500-lb, Round Trailer Axles part # APUBR-1.

expert reply by: Conner L

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Answer 1

Yes we can get over or under slung axles. It would be very similar to the Dexter Idler Trailer Axle w/ Hubs - EZ-Lube - 5 on 4-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 60" Long - 2,200 lbs part #20545I-EZ-60-10 but you would have them custom make it with the spring…

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Answer 2

You need to weld the spring seats like the part #TRSS238 that you referenced to the axle tubes.

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Answer 3

With your axle being a 2-1/2" diameter it sounds like you will need either our etrailer Axle #e45SR or the Dexter #7685269-EB. Both of these are 3,500lb axles with the 4" drop a 95" hub face and electric brakes included. You will only…

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Answer 4

I have a solution for you and a great axle but it is going to require you to move your spring seats. It is the Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes item #e45SR. This axle has spring seats mounted at 80". It has a 4" drop with hubs that have a 5…

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Answer 5

Thanks for the information! Based on the information you provided my contact at Dexter was able to confirm that you have a 3500lb axle with a 94.5" hub face to hub face measurement and an 81" spring center to spring center measurement. For…

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Answer 6

Is your axle actually bent or are you just seeing the bow that is supposed to be in the axle? A beam style trailer axle has a bow in it so the center of the axle is higher than either of the ends. When weight is on the axle it straightens out. This…

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Answer 7

The 3,500 lb capacity Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes #e45SR has spring centers that are 80 inches apart so it wouldn't work as-is with 81 inch spring centers. You could use it but you'd have have its spring centers removed and new Spring…

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Answer 8

All of our 3,500LB, 4" drop axles with 95" hub face like our etrailer Axle #e45SR you found are going to have a 80" spring center. As we do not offer custom axles you can easily have the springs seats removed and 2 new Seats #TRSS238…

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Answer 9

If by spring pads you mean spring seats, then no we do not sell axles without spring seats. We do sell spring seats separately in varying sizes depending on your axle diameter. I have linked our entire selection below. The Dexter Trailer Axle w/…

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Answer 10

What you are experiencing is common on tandem axle trailers when little or no weight is on them. The weight compresses the suspension and would not allow this to happen, or at least not as easily. If you were to use the E-Z Flex Equalizers…

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Answer 11

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 12

Hey Thomas, the most important factors for picking out a replacement leaf spring for a trailer are matching axle capacity and length. Getting the same amount of leaves in the spring pack is actually not a huge priority so I wouldn't worry too…

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Recommended Drop Axle for Trailer With 80 Inch Spring Center

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