Axle/tire Upgrade

First things first. Bent spring hanger equals bent axles. So your going to need to find a good welder/fabricator to fix things for you. Then, upgrading axles is pretty simple. You place an order for new axle tubes with the exact same dimensions as the old ones. Order them complete with brakes etc and springs. That way,,other than adding bronze busnings your ready to bolt them on. Order new tires,wheels, and lug nuts and bolt them on. Be aware you may not have sufficient clearence between axles and under the trailer to actually do all this without raising the trailer some. It may also mean you have to have new spring hangers installed to increase axle spacing.

I would just get new wheels and tires. Bolt on and go.
Maxxis ST205/75R15-D should serve well.
Measure closely before you click and buy.

Yes bend the hanger straight while you are installing the HD Dexter suspension kit.

BTW check tire rack for Kumho 14" LR-D, probably all you need.

put kumho in the search box for other posts.

I wasn't able to find any 14" tires in LRD when I did a quick search. If you are willing to move up a size to 15", it might be a bit easier to find LRD and LRE tires. I'm running a set of Greenball Towmaster SS tires (from Costco). I put 4 on my 24' Prowler (ST205/75R15 LRD) and have towed about 3500 miles so far this fall on them without issue. Speed rating is M (81 mph).

You should be able to straighten the hanger with a large crescent wrench (like the 24" one that Harbor Freight sells cheap). Use a long straight edge to line it up with the other hangers so everything ends up parallel. I'm not sure I agree that a bent hanger means a bent axle. Straighten the hanger, then remount the axle. Take the wheels off and take measurements from both axles. Compare the squareness of the machined hub faces to the frame rails. You can get additional information from the Dexter Axle Resource Library (http://www.dexteraxle.com/resource_library_). If an axle appears to be out of line, it can be straightened by a good alignment shop (for less money than a new axle). Remember, a replacement axle may not come with the axle perches welded on as the spring center-to-center distance can vary per the trailer manufacturer. That would add to the cost.

Best of luck with the repair- keep us posted on the results, please.

When I raised my trailer this past summer, I found the 3500 lb axles (assuming you have leaf springs, too) use a nylon bushing in all the springs and equalizers. I replaced one equalizer and there is still a bit of slop in the springs from side-to-side. So, I am paying close attention to my tires and so far, no funky wear patterns.

I would go with the axles you describe (which is what I have) and mount new LR D Maxxiss. I would take a mallet to the spring hanger and bend it back. If it bends ok then your good to go. If it cracks have it welded.
You dont have to do any more than that.

If it were me, I would probably skip 15" tires and wheels. You can get 16" wheels that will fit the 5200 lb axles (I assume 6 lug). Of course, that would allow me to have matching tires on my trailer and tow vehicle.

Check to be sure there is enough space between axles for larger tires.

Going to the larger axles should get you a bigger tire. When you get to 15" tires, the choices broaden. I put Carlisle RH Load D's on my trailer and have plenty of headroom over the weight of the trailer.

I'd suggest, since you have spring issues and are changing the axles, to take your trailer to a good trailer frame shop in your area for this work. The frame shop knows their stuff and will put you back on the road with a setup you can have confidence in. Upgrading the bushings and equalizer would be on my short list, too.

I'd shop for a new trailer with axles and tires up to the job included.

coolbreeze01 wrote:
I'd shop for a new trailer with axles and tires up to the job included.

That's fine but most install the minimum.

I agree with upgrading axles but only if the frame is built strong. Some trailers use a phony I-beam constructed of thin metal welded together.

No new RV for us, our next trailer will be a Class C or Class A...and that's not anytime soon with 2 kids in college. I think I might go with 5200# axles and the Dexter E-Z flex System with wet bolts. I'm a very avid do-it-yourselfer. I flipped the axles about 5 or 6 years ago for more height and put new nylon bushings back in. Mistake on my part. I'll also go with the 6-5.5 lug wheels so they will match my 24foot car hauler. I might also reinforce the spring hangers as I have a mig welder. Might give me a good excuse to get a plasma cutter!!!

Thanks for the advise....all opinions welcome...