Determining axle rating

[5030tinkerer]

I recently had the misfortune of breaking a leaf spring on my second hand, looks to be homemade, single axle 5x10 utility trailer. In shopping for a replacement set of springs, I need to be able to determine what rating that axle is so that I can match up to a proper leaf spring. Here's what I have determined thus far:

1. My trailer axle is 2.26" O.D. There are no stamps or other markings on the axle. 2000# axles from NorthernTool are 1.75". 3500# axles are 2.375#.
2. My hub is a five lug setup with 14" load range C trailer tires.
3. My hub has the L44649 bearings in them - the same ones in the new hubs sold by NorthernTool that are rated for 1750# each for use on a 3500# axle.
4. The 3500# leaf springs that Northern sells have four leaves. My old setup that broke only had two leaves (perhaps the reason why it broke? <grin>). The two leaf setups are rated for 1500# or 2000#.

Do I likely have a 3500# axle? Am I best going ahead with 3500# leaf springs? Any negatives with this option?

Thanks guys!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I recently had the misfortune of breaking a leaf spring on my second hand, looks to be homemade, single axle 5x10 utility trailer. In shopping for a replacement set of springs, I need to be able to determine what rating that axle is so that I can match up to a proper leaf spring. Here's what I have determined thus far:

1. My trailer axle is 2.26" O.D. There are no stamps or other markings on the axle. 2000# axles from NorthernTool are 1.75". 3500# axles are 2.375#.
2. My hub is a five lug setup with 14" load range C trailer tires.
3. My hub has the L44649 bearings in them - the same ones in the new hubs sold by NorthernTool that are rated for 1750# each for use on a 3500# axle.
4. The 3500# leaf springs that Northern sells have four leaves. My old setup that broke only had two leaves (perhaps the reason why it broke? <grin>). The two leaf setups are rated for 1500# or 2000#.

Do I likely have a 3500# axle? Am I best going ahead with 3500# leaf springs? Any negatives with this option?

Thanks guys!

NORMALLY...You'd find an aluminum "band" around the axle, just inside if the hub and/or brake backing plate with that rating stamped on it. Obviously that's gone.

A vast majority of trailer axles are DEXTER brand. They're #1 with a bullit in the trailer axle and brake world. Here's a link to their website. Maybe they can help identify what you have.

Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - ABOUT DEXTER

In any event, going ahead with 3500 lb springs and/or axles sounds like an excellent plan. Bigger should be better than smaller in this case.

 

[MadReferee]

A 2 leaf spring setup is usually rated for only 500 lbs.

You need to measure the thickness of the leaf and get one that matches as the thickness determines the rated weight. Champion Trailer Parts Supply has several different leaf spring types with several different thicknesses. You ned to match up. Check the Champion site under Springs for all the measurements and prices.

The Champion site also has plenty of valuable information on axles. There are charts that give dimensions so you should be able to cross match with what you have. Just for a reference, the 44649 bearings cross reference to several different axles for light duty use. With all your dimensions you should be able to identify your axle from their charts.

Champion Trailer Parts Supply Springs


Champion Traile Parts Supply Axles

 

[Ford960]

Any spring that will fit will work but a heavier spring will provide a rougher ride and more road shock to the trailer and load. When doing this it's best to replace both springs, even if you find an exact match.
All the springs on mobile home axles that I've seen and worked on were a single leaf so like MadReferee noted you need to know the thickness of each leaf.
Back a long time ago when I worked at a boat dealership, we always replaced all the springs on a trailer and would throw the unbroken springs in a pile out back. Made a good source for home project trailers and easy to find a pair that would fit just by eyeballing them. Tubular axles could be back in use by replacing a bad spindle for a fraction of the new cost and a pair of solid axles could be cut in half and the good halves welded back together for the labor alone. Hubs with good bearings also abounded as did wheels and tires.
The owner of the dealership didn't want this reworked stuff on any customers trailers and didn't care if we scrounged on our time. We always installed new for several reasons, 1) the labor was a flat rate and new took less time, 2) he sold the new parts, and 3) warranty from the parts manufacturer, and 4) liability.
Sure wish that I had that pile out back now!
Good Luck!