Bent axle upgrade

[jeepdave]

It seems my axle is bent. I have a single axle 20' trailer rated at 3500lbs. I want to upgrade so this does not happen again.

This seems to be a common occurrence

Can I replace the axle with a 5000lbs and keep my hubs and brakes. Hoping I can go this route so I don't have to change my sweet aluminum rims. Lol

Thanks for any help

[jeepdave]

Yea. 2800 lbs dry.

[robatthelake]

Sounds like You may be overloaded!

We had a Brand New 37 Foot Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler back in 2000 that chewed through the Front Tires at an alarming rate. We suspected a bent Axle.

It turned out that All of the suspension components "except the Axles "were the problem !

Springs Shackles,Bolts,Bushings and whatever that Y shaped device is called were just too flimsy ,Even the Spring Hangers were too light for the intended use!

Once We replaced all the Small Stuff and started to Load and weigh properly the Tire problem went away!

We also upgraded to better Tires as the Originals were pretty poor!

[jeepdave]

Sounds like the book " if you give a mouse a cookie". I'll need new rims and tires , new springs, new u bolts.

My daughter just graduated high school, her party was yesterday, I will start measuring and seeing what I need to fix this. I have to make sure that get it done quickly so it doesn't affect our camping.

Thanks

[jeepdave]

Whoops. I wrote the the wrong thing. /----\. It looks like that. It was late.

[C_Schomer]

No offense to anyone and it's not that you aren't getting some good help here but I would go to the pros at Dexter, Redneck, a spring/axle shop or anybody else who does this work regularly. I've had problems and Dexter was terrific at helping me diagnose and gave me a great cure.
Have you checked all the bushings and bolt holes for wear? It doesn't take much misalignment to chew up tires. It sounds like the tow could be off. If it is... what the reason. Maybe you hit a pothole or curb. I'd want to figure out the cause of the problem and then decide if a heavier axle is needed. Craig

[goducks10]

The top is supposed to be wider than the bottom. Sounds like you may not have enough weight to make the axle straighten out. Or like mentioned check the toe in.
You can get a #4400 axle too. No need for #5200. If you're TT doesn't weigh enough to straighten a #3500 then it sure won't with a #4400-$5200 axle.

Here's a quote from someone else with #4400 axles.

Just got off the phone with the parts guy at Lippert. I was trying to find out what #'s I needed for the bearings and seals for the 4400lb axles I have. Couldn't find any part #'s for 4400lb axles on the Lippert site so I called them. The Axles are rated at 4400lbs, with 10" hubs and have 3500lb axle bearings on them. Same bearing #'s (L68149, L44649) you would use if your buying bearings for any 3500lb axle. Seems weird to me, but just wondering if it's normal to have bearings that fit 3500lb axles on 4400lb axles. I'm not an engineer, so I don't know if the bearings are capable of carrying more if the axle is built to higher standards or what. Any engineers out there?


One thing to consider if you haven't already is that normally 3500 axles are 2-3/8" OD and 4400and up are 3" OD. You'll have to change you U-bolts to 3" and also buy new spring plates.

Also need to make sure the spindle length will work. But it looks like you could get a #4400 axle and still use the #3500 hubs and bearings as long as the spindle length is good.

I would take it to an alignment shop 1st. Not the dealer. They're usually clueless on bent axle issues. Plus the alignment shop may have some suggestions to save you some money.

[Ozlander]

Check the tow-in.

[RCMAN46]

jeepdave wrote:
Both tires bent in. Tops wider than bottom. Inside of tires wore out.

You are describing Positive camber. Most trailer axles have Positive camber when unloaded.

Typically a bent axle will give you Negative camber where the bottom of the tire will be wider than the top.

But the tire wear you have is typical of Negative camber.

[K_Charles]

jeepdave wrote:
Both tires bent in. Tops wider than bottom. Inside of tires wore out.

If the top is wider then the bottom then the outside of the tire is wearing out quicker.

[Ivylog]

The bearings on a 5200lb axle are bigger than yours and the hubs are six bolt. Sell your tires and rims on Craig's list and buy some 6 bolt rims. Complete axles can be bought for less than $300.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

Check out Johnson RV Surplus in White Pigeon MI. A couple of weeks ago, when we were there they must have had several hundred in racks outside.

[Golden_HVAC]

ETrailer.com they sell upgraded axles and disk brake conversions. Even new axle with disk brakes already installed.

Your light trailer would not need disk brakes, but perhaps someone else reading this - it can help.

Good luck with your project!

Fred.

[jeepdave]

Both tires bent in. Tops wider than bottom. Inside of tires wore out.

[jmtandem]

It seems my axle is bent. I have a single axle 20' trailer rated at 3500lbs. I want to upgrade so this does not happen again.

This seems to be a common occurrence

Can I replace the axle with a 5000lbs and keep my hubs and brakes. Hoping I can go this route so I don't have to change my sweet aluminum rims. Lol

How do you know it is bent? All axles on trailers come from the factory with a slight up bend in the middle to accommodate wheel camber. How do you know it is a common occurrence? Going to a bigger stronger axle usually changes the bolt pattern on the wheels.