Studs and lug nuts are common . Wheel bolts into drum or hub are usually old equipment . I ordered the 1/4” x 3” axle tube from Dexter . The 6,000 lb . axles come in three wall thicknesses . Replacing a Dexter torsion axle in a front wheel drive step van ; I used the 6,000 lb. axle with the 1/4” wall thickness . I used the 3,500 lb. spindles with 10” brake drum . Both the Dexter drums and the van were 5 on 4 1/2” bolt pattern . I used the original springs and hardware off the van backplates for new trailer backplates . It was good swap because it was all Dexter 10” drums . .
A 3500# axle will have a backing plate flange with 4 holes. A 7k axle will have a 5 hole flange for the backing plate. The difference in a 5200#, 6000# and a 7000# axle is which brake drum or idler hub is put on the axle. A 3500# axle come in two tube sizes, it is still a 3500# axle no matter the tube size. It is ab3500# axle because of the brake drums or idler hubs.
So, an accurate way of measuring the diameter of an axle is the use a fabric tape measure or micrometer. Lets say you have a axle that the circumference measures 7.5" with the fabric tape measure, you are going to want to take that number and divide it by 3.14159. That will give you an answer of 2.38. Then you can convert to a fraction and get the size of the axle. The actual decimal for a 2 3/8 axle is 2.375, so as you can see, both decimal number forms are very close. So its safe to say your axle is 2 3/8 or 3,500 lb axles.
@The Beard of Gaming Not necessarily the norm. With some heavier duty axles, with significantly different weight capacities, the OD is the same, but the wall thickness of the pipe is different depicting the strength. I am going through this problem right now with an older trailer that has no ID's on the axles to be found, that the previous owner had registered for a larger GVWR than what is listed on the manufactures ID tag on the neck. We're talking two tons of difference here. I have no way of knowing if he switched out the axles for heavier ones as he is deceased, as an upgrade after it was manufactured, or if he simply over registered the trailer at the DMV to avoid fines if he were to overload it. To have them checked with digital X-ray radiography is not available in my area. When I get a chance from my work schedule to be able to get to where the trailer is at, one alternative is to measure the brake shoe widths, as they correspond to what size drums are used with what sized axles.
@@Mike-226 right, but no matter what size tube you have, you still only want to go off of what size the axle itself is. I get what you are saying, Yes, its a headache trying to figure it out sometimes. Good luck and if I can help, let me know.
I have a couple old Dexter Star axles on a trailer im building and the axle is around 3" and has a 5 bolt backer plate on it and brakes on both axles, i was thinking they were 5K but anyone have any other info on what they actually are?
@renegade07garage there not 5 lug, dexstar used 4 lug rims back in the day on all there axles from 2k up to 7K. It's from the 1980'S the backer plate has 5 bolts instead of 4 like a regular 3500 lb axle backing plate would have. The only research I can find on it is it was other 5200 or 7000 lb axles. Iv got to measure the bearing and brake size to confirm it
The width of the trailer is 73 inches or 6 foot 1 inch wide the second trailer with the deck on it is also 73 inches wide thanks for watching and commenting
i do also believe the 2000 lb axles also have the 5 lugs and anything under 2000 lbs is 4 lugs but I am not for sure of the different axle tube diameters. for the 2000 lb and less axles.
ok a 5 lug and 2-3/4 inch tube is either a 3500lbs or a 5200lbs axel. But I think from the specs this is a mobile home axel so it was a 5200lbs axel at some point.
I talked to another UA-cam that messes with these axles and trailers a lot and he said its a 4200 lb axle but is only good for 3500lb unless I upgrade the brakes and hubs to 4200lbs basically a 6 lug hub and 2 x12 brakes thanks for watching and commenting
Andrew's Custom Builds look at the spindle itself that measurement will tell you exactly what the axle can carry. The pipe and lug only makes up 50% of the axle.
just measure the tube and the number of wheel studs, from there you can get a really good idea of the weight rating I will look up and post the rating based on tube size and number of wheel studs thanks for watching and commenting
I think 2.75 axles might be a 4200 lbs. Used to find them a lot in old farmers' scrap yards...... Equipment cemitary. They ALL have them, some a lot bigger than others lol.
Dial indicators are very sensitive to things like rust and even small particles of dirt. You first need to clean off the area you want to check to get any accuracy. These tubes where manufactured with fresh, rust/dirt free metal stock, I see a lot of rust and dirt there so I don't think you'll ever get 100% accurate measurement because even if you clean/resurface them you'll likely remove more than the rust.
Stop. Do you really believe that there is 0.25" of rust buildup difference between two tubes that were likely installed on a trailer at exactly the same time? I urge you to stop and think about how thick 0.25 inches is.
I believe those are 6000lb axles but you got to replace the bearings seals and hubs on those axles if you are going to use them on a different trailer build/refurbish
look for a tag on the axle usually 6 lugs is 6000lbs you can also measure the diameter of the axle tube to determine the weight rating thanks for watching
I did a little research and come to find out there are 4200 lbs axle with 3500 lb brakes if I upgrade the brakes to a 42000lb or 5000 lb then then can handle 4200 lb weights(8400Lb) for breaking thanks for watching and commenting oh and are you close lol I am always looking for trailer axles to use on builds
I don't know Brian I looked on line and found no company making a axle with a 2 3/4 tube, the 6000 lb axles have a 3 in tube with 6 lugs and the 3500 lb axle have 2 3/8 tube at least that's what I found maybe a odd ball axle just produced for a few years thanks for watching and commenting
yea I was a little confused by the tube being a little bigger than the 3500 one turns out its a 4400 axle, or at least that is what i am told,dod you happen to know the thickness of the tubes im guessing 3/16 or 1/4 but have not cut one in half to find out for sure.
Studs and lug nuts are common . Wheel bolts into drum or hub are usually old equipment . I ordered the 1/4” x 3” axle tube from Dexter . The 6,000 lb . axles come in three wall thicknesses . Replacing a Dexter torsion axle in a front wheel drive step van ; I used the 6,000 lb. axle with the 1/4” wall thickness . I used the 3,500 lb. spindles with 10” brake drum . Both the Dexter drums and the van were 5 on 4 1/2” bolt pattern . I used the original springs and hardware off the van backplates for new trailer backplates . It was good swap because it was all Dexter 10” drums .
.
A 3500# axle will have a backing plate flange with 4 holes. A 7k axle will have a 5 hole flange for the backing plate. The difference in a 5200#, 6000# and a 7000# axle is which brake drum or idler hub is put on the axle. A 3500# axle come in two tube sizes, it is still a 3500# axle no matter the tube size. It is ab3500# axle because of the brake drums or idler hubs.
good info thanks for watching
i WATCHED THIS VIDEO TO IDENTIFY AXLES AND AT THE END OF THE VIDEO YOU WERE ASKING HOW TO IDENTIFY AN AXLE, YOU'RE FUNNY.
sounds about right lol
So, an accurate way of measuring the diameter of an axle is the use a fabric tape measure or micrometer. Lets say you have a axle that the circumference measures 7.5" with the fabric tape measure, you are going to want to take that number and divide it by 3.14159. That will give you an answer of 2.38. Then you can convert to a fraction and get the size of the axle. The actual decimal for a 2 3/8 axle is 2.375, so as you can see, both decimal number forms are very close. So its safe to say your axle is 2 3/8 or 3,500 lb axles.
that's interesting but im not great with math thanks for watching
@The Beard of Gaming Not necessarily the norm. With some heavier duty axles, with significantly different weight capacities, the OD is the same, but the wall thickness of the pipe is different depicting the strength. I am going through this problem right now with an older trailer that has no ID's on the axles to be found, that the previous owner had registered for a larger GVWR than what is listed on the manufactures ID tag on the neck. We're talking two tons of difference here. I have no way of knowing if he switched out the axles for heavier ones as he is deceased, as an upgrade after it was manufactured, or if he simply over registered the trailer at the DMV to avoid fines if he were to overload it. To have them checked with digital X-ray radiography is not available in my area. When I get a chance from my work schedule to be able to get to where the trailer is at, one alternative is to measure the brake shoe widths, as they correspond to what size drums are used with what sized axles.
@@Mike-226 right, but no matter what size tube you have, you still only want to go off of what size the axle itself is. I get what you are saying, Yes, its a headache trying to figure it out sometimes. Good luck and if I can help, let me know.
That second trailer axle looks like 3500 to me at 5:00 into the video.
I can't post a pic of the screenshot but it's there.
I have a couple old Dexter Star axles on a trailer im building and the axle is around 3" and has a 5 bolt backer plate on it and brakes on both axles, i was thinking they were 5K but anyone have any other info on what they actually are?
5 lug is usually 3500 but 3 inch tune maybe 4200 lbs
@renegade07garage there not 5 lug, dexstar used 4 lug rims back in the day on all there axles from 2k up to 7K. It's from the 1980'S the backer plate has 5 bolts instead of 4 like a regular 3500 lb axle backing plate would have. The only research I can find on it is it was other 5200 or 7000 lb axles. Iv got to measure the bearing and brake size to confirm it
Gotcha I read you first comment wrong and was half asleep lol when I read it lol 😆
@renegade07garage haha I know the feeling. One eye open trying to read things lol
On of my trailer has bolt and the other side has stud and nut is it hard to change over to nut and stud, I don't have any brakes on my trailer
that odd
hey one your second trailer the one with the 2 3/4 tube is it a dexter axle or is it a different brand /
I had to go check, and it a dayton axle not a dexter axle
How you’ll know in a axle with Dayton wheels?
What is the width. Size on the trailer frame. how wide is it from axel to axel
The width of the trailer is 73 inches or 6 foot 1 inch wide the second trailer with the deck on it is also 73 inches wide thanks for watching and commenting
Thank you. Very helpful
Glad it was helpful!
What would a 2 5/8 square with a 6 lug and 6 leaf spring?
not sure but at least 3500 but no more than 6000
5200 lb axles
i do also believe the 2000 lb axles also have the 5 lugs and anything under 2000 lbs is 4 lugs but I am not for sure of the different axle tube diameters. for the 2000 lb and less axles.
yea I believe I heard the same info thanks for watching and commenting
ok a 5 lug and 2-3/4 inch tube is either a 3500lbs or a 5200lbs axel. But I think from the specs this is a mobile home axel so it was a 5200lbs axel at some point.
I talked to another UA-cam that messes with these axles and trailers a lot and he said its a 4200 lb axle but is only good for 3500lb unless I upgrade the brakes and hubs to 4200lbs basically a 6 lug hub and 2 x12 brakes thanks for watching and commenting
Andrew's Custom Builds look at the spindle itself that measurement will tell you exactly what the axle can carry. The pipe and lug only makes up 50% of the axle.
I gonna be replacing 2 of the hubs on that trailer later this year and will measure the spindles when I hear it apart then I will know for sure thanks
How to measure square axle?
honestly I'm not sure but it is something I will need to look into
My trailor has not tags.
So what's your plans with those axles? You selling them or reinstalling them?
not sure yet, maybe sell them or just keep them for a future trailer build thanks for watching and commenting
A trick: watch movies at Kaldrostream. I've been using them for watching lots of of movies lately.
@Jeremiah Larry Definitely, been watching on KaldroStream for years myself :)
So at the end of this I still can't identify my axle.
just measure the tube and the number of wheel studs, from there you can get a really good idea of the weight rating I will look up and post the rating based on tube size and number of wheel studs thanks for watching and commenting
Lol, how to tell? I’m still asking
I think 2.75 axles might be a 4200 lbs.
Used to find them a lot in old farmers' scrap yards......
Equipment cemitary. They ALL have them, some a lot bigger than others lol.
I do believe you are right
@@renegade07garage I wouldn't bet money on it, it was just a half A%^ educated guess.
God Bless and thanks for the videos.
Dial indicators are very sensitive to things like rust and even small particles of dirt. You first need to clean off the area you want to check to get any accuracy. These tubes where manufactured with fresh, rust/dirt free metal stock, I see a lot of rust and dirt there so I don't think you'll ever get 100% accurate measurement because even if you clean/resurface them you'll likely remove more than the rust.
Stop. Do you really believe that there is 0.25" of rust buildup difference between two tubes that were likely installed on a trailer at exactly the same time?
I urge you to stop and think about how thick 0.25 inches is.
great information, thanks
Glad it was helpful!
So... Went out measured my axle diameter, manufactured home axles 3" on the dot...
I believe those are 6000lb axles but you got to replace the bearings seals and hubs on those axles if you are going to use them on a different trailer build/refurbish
Mine has 6 lug nuts but my tongue says 5,000?
look for a tag on the axle usually 6 lugs is 6000lbs you can also measure the diameter of the axle tube to determine the weight rating thanks for watching
WoW great info...Thanx!
Glad it was helpful!
I was going to say about a 5000 lb axle.... I have several of those some with the brakes and some without!.....think I have about 10 of each left!
I did a little research and come to find out there are 4200 lbs axle with 3500 lb brakes if I upgrade the brakes to a 42000lb or 5000 lb then then can handle 4200 lb weights(8400Lb) for breaking thanks for watching and commenting oh and are you close lol I am always looking for trailer axles to use on builds
I'm looking for axles too if you're near to Amarillo, TX.
Possibly a 5200 lb. Axle . Check the bearing and race
4200 lb with the brakes and bearings would have to upgrade for a 5200 lbs
I have 3 inch tubes, 4 springs, and 5 lugs. Still don't know.
if it 5 lug this it 3500lb unless you upgrade the brakes and hubs to 6000lb and maybe the springs good luck
(Sigh) Just when you think you have a handle on it. Would that 2&3/4" axle may be a 6000lb axle??
I don't know Brian I looked on line and found no company making a axle with a 2 3/4 tube, the 6000 lb axles have a 3 in tube with 6 lugs and the 3500 lb axle have 2 3/8 tube at least that's what I found maybe a odd ball axle just produced for a few years thanks for watching and commenting
I talked to another UA-cam john Daniel he has had some experience with travel trailer frames and axles said they are 4200 lb Canadian Dayton axles.
but there are only good for 3500 lb unless i upgrade the brakes, hubs and springs .
Todd Hodgen
You can change the hubs to 6 lug. Not a good way to check.
you got a point didnt think about it when i made the video thanks for watching
SOOooo.. read the label .. SHOCKING got it!!!
if it has a label and if you can read it that the best way
2-3/8 is a 3500# The 2-3/4 is a 5200#
yea I was a little confused by the tube being a little bigger than the 3500 one turns out its a 4400 axle, or at least that is what i am told,dod you happen to know the thickness of the tubes im guessing 3/16 or 1/4 but have not cut one in half to find out for sure.
That’s what I’ve always thought, 2.75” is 5.2K, but it sure looks like the tag says 3500 and I’ve never seen a 5 lug 5.2K axle
@@daviddurr7218 the bearing numbers tell it all
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👍👊
K
thanks for watching
Wrong! A 2 and 3/8 axle is 2,000 pounds not 3,500
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