Trailer axle upgrade, anyone tried this?

[Space Coast Cracker]

My 3500 lb. axle on my 12X6 open trailer is overweighted and wears the inside of my tires very fast. I am planning to put a 5000 lb. axle on. Do you think I'll have any problems? Don't want a double axle trailer. Anyone tried this?

[dura to the max]

why dont you want a double axle trailer?

you're wasting your time doing that on a 6x12...

[flairland]

I dont know man, I think you're just asking for trouble. The trailer frame/tongue/ball/ramps, they're all built to carry 3500lbs, not 5000. Why dont you want a dual axle??

[Space Coast Cracker]

I park my trailer in the garage, right next to my motorcycle. With the single axle, if im crooked a little I can move the nose around on my fold down wheel I have attached and can also move to my truck hitch if I back up a little off. I'm not adding any more weight than I currenty have, which is probably about 300 over current axle rate. So I won't be straining the trailer any more than I am now. Plus I've been told double axles are always scuffing a tire when turning and wear faster.

[Jerry Lee]

Plus I've been told double axles are always scuffing a tire when turning and wear faster.

scuffing a tire?? what is that curbing a tire? ul wear over weighted tires faster than if u have a tandem axle that is spreading out the load.

[toddman36]

A respectible trailer will be engineered for a given load - from the axle, to the coupler and all the steel between. Generally steel will bend before it cracks, so you'll have some warning (assuming you check it) before a failure.

Truthfully, I think it would be much easier (and safer) to sell this trailer and pick up something designed for the weight you'll be putting on it than to deal with pulling off an axle, replacing it with something heavier duty, and dealing with the rest of the trailer being underbuilt. Another thing to consider are the wheels and tires. Most of the trailers I've seen with 3500lb axles have tires that are rated around 18-2000lb and the bolt patterns on the hubs of the axle may be different when going up in size, so you may be looking at new tires and wheels in addition to the axle and springs.

[Space Coast Cracker]

Well, so far I guess everyone feels that a new axle is a gamble. It is a lot of money to spend if it doesn't work out well. I appreciate the opinions. I quess I mostly hate the idea of having to back up the truck hitch so perfectly to hook up! But I am leaning to a double axle now.

[EMJ]

It seems there are to many over weighted unsafe trailers running around down here. I wish there was a little more enforcement. Just buy the right size trailer for your load.

[Looking Good Lawn Service]

I would say a double axle is a very good idea, they have several advantages, safety and functional. they distribute weight more evenly, you can load mowers and equipment without it being hooked up to a tow rig(the front end doesn't go up in the air and slam back down, when you load a walker for example), The weight is not as bearing on the truck, its more on the trailer where you want it, also you have limp home capabilities, if you get a low or flat tire. Also easier to back up, they track straighter because the tires line up better. Also, huge safety feature is now you have breaks, single axles mostly don't have breaks, this for me is the deal breaker. Good luck

[mowerman41]

I have a question I have a 48 Turf Tracer HP and I am getting a 60 Toro Z550 w/triple bagger in the spring, also I have 22 inch push mower. I need to upgrade to a bigger trailer. Right now I have a 5 X 10. What size trailer would you recomend that I get.:usflag:

[dura to the max]

minimum 7x14. you might could get by w/ a 6/wide but it would be tight w/ the blower for the bagger. i would even think more towards a 16 footer, if not an 18. 14 like i said is minimum, but when buying a trailer decide what you need, and go up at least one size for growth.

[bobbyr]

i would not think their would be a problem with your trailer if you upgrade your axle as long as the trailer it's self is a well built unit and most trailer manufactures offer differnt axle ratings for the same trailer but those options also cost more money and people do not see the need to spend the extra money at that time i would call the manufacturer and see what they say but a heavier axles means heavier tires and if you do upgrade spend the extra for brakes call the maker and see what they say by

[SiteSolutions]

I've got a trailer with two 5000# axles under it, 14' + 2' dovetail, and I can manhandle it around to line it up with the hitch ball. It's quicker than getting back in the truck and trying to be perfect.

Also, I would not recommend loading or unloading anything heavy on a trailer not securely hooked to the tow vehicle. You might can get away with it with just little mowers but you may pick the jack up a little and have the whole trailer move with you. You can tear up your ramps pretty quick, and possibly roll down the street and hit something. I don't know where exactly the threshold is but I can hop up and down on the back of mine and make it move.

[bobbyr]

i'v seen the roll away before look out play it safe and look out for your tailgate