Dual Axle >>> Tri Axle???

[john_bud]

Can anyone clue me in on how I can visually tell the difference between 5,200 and 6,000 lb trailer axles???

Dougster

Mine have a steel tag spot welded to the axle tube. Lists the capacity as 6000 pounds. Need to crawl under to find it.

Dexter axles.

jb

 

[Ductape]

Dougster,
I wasn't aware of your double blow out situation, did you have a thread going on it?

I love reading your threads.... this one, the thumb, etc. My wife always tells me how much i over-research everything i do. Then i come here, read your posts, and realize how "normal" i am !! She has nothing to complain about.

For the record.... i mean this in the most complimentary way! I suspect we are very similar, its just that you "have it worse" than me.

Scott

 

[Dougster]

Don't have a clue but on the Dexter Axel site the 5200 are 6 lug and the 6000 are 8 lug for spring mounts. Torsion bar ones are different.
Lookee here Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - PRODUCTS & LITERATURE

Yeah, I see what you mean. Nothing would surprise me anymore about this dang DownEaster dump trailer. Darn thing has been one nasty surprise after another. I would not put it past the manufacturer to claim they were 6,000 lb axles while supplying 5,200 lb axles. They have done worse as far as I am concerned.

On the other hand, I notice that anything can be special ordered. They will make you a 6,000 lb axle with a 6-lug hub in a New York second! And you can't tell by the tube diameter because both 5,200 lb and 6,000 lb are 3" OD.

So where does this leave me? Trusting their words for now I guess.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Mine have a steel tag spot welded to the axle tube. Lists the capacity as 6000 pounds. Need to crawl under to find it. Dexter axles.
jb

I'll look again tomorrow JB... but can't say I remember seeing anything last few times the dump bed was raised. I'll let you know if I find anything.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Dougster, I wasn't aware of your double blow out situation, did you have a thread going on it? I love reading your threads.... this one, the thumb, etc. My wife always tells me how much i over-research everything i do. Then i come here, read your posts, and realize how "normal" i am !! She has nothing to complain about. For the record.... i mean this in the most complimentary way! I suspect we are very similar, its just that you "have it worse" than me.
Scott

It is the mechanical engineer's curse. It's the way God, school and career made me. I research everything to death... and TBN is a great place for interactive research because there are so many friendly, knowledgeable people here (Yes, and a few cantankerous old coots who shall remain nameless!).

Here is my thread on the double tire failure:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/103437-any-consensus-trailer-tire-brands.html

Dougster

 

[Diamondpilot]

My boat trailer has triple axles, 6,000# each. I have seen a few boats like mine on tandems but could not imagine 15,600# on tandems. I would like the security of the extra wheel and tire one each side in case of a blow out. Then you are only loosing 1/3 on that side not 1/2. I find the tires dry rot or flat spot before I ever wear them out. I have to make a very sharp turn with the trailer on a rough ramp each time I launch. Yes I get tons of lean but no problems yet. If I let the boat sit more than 3 months without placing it on jack stands the tires flat spot then blow after the next 100 miles. I have been following the Chinese tire thread and that is what I run. I was blowing Goodyears and Carlisle right and left but since switching over no problems.

Chris

 

[Dougster]

I was blowing Goodyears and Carlisle right and left but since switching over no problems.
Chris

My first set of four Chinese ST235/80R16LRE (Load Range E) mounted tires just arrived. Too dang hot here to mount them right now... I'll either do it tonight or tomorrow morning. They came through nice... just a little scuffing of the wheel paint (easily touched up). Fed-Ex Ground actually did okay by me this time! I'm anxious to see how they ride and how much they *lift* the equipment trailer. Hope it is enough to jump my new "Grand Canyon"!

Dougster

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I tow about 3000 miles a year on these Chinese tires and all is well. My buddy bough a new travel trailer with the hated Carlilse and switched before 100 miles. He put 6000 miles last year going from Indiana to Wyoming then back all the way through northern Michigan. This year he put about 4000 miles on the tires going from Indiana to Key West the back home through the Carolinas, New York then home to Indiana. They use the trailer about every other weekend on shorter trips of about 150 or less. He has had great luck. He even comments how many trailers he sees stranded along the road with flats. One thing me and him do is carry a torque wrench and a good digital pressure gauge. We check the lugs and pressures daily before we set out. I know it seems like overkill but 10 minutes is a lot better than a flat on the highway at night.

Chris

 

[Dougster]

One thing me and him do is carry a torque wrench and a good digital pressure gauge. We check the lugs and pressures daily before we set out. I know it seems like overkill but 10 minutes is a lot better than a flat on the highway at night.
Chris

Yep. Used to be weekly for me. Now its whenever I move it.

Dougster

 

[john_bud]

It may just be me being "old and cantankerous" but ST tires seem to be more cheaply made than LT or even P tires of the same size. I have never blown out or flat spotted a modern LT or P tire, but the ST's..... oh boy!