What Axle Do I Have?

[Iplayfarmer]

Here's my trailer axle spindle (see picture). I'm ready to buy the stuff I need to add brakes, but I need to know what axle I have so I can order the parts.

The bolt pattern is 5 on 4.75 (based on the fact that from lug center to the center of the next lug is 2.8")
The seal is 1 7/8"
The inner bearing I.D. is 1 1/4"
The outer bearing I.D. is 3/4"

I'm pretty sure of these measurements as they were measured with a micrometer and the dial was right on for all of them.

I also measured the axle tube. It's 2 9/16". This one may be smaller due to the build up of rust and dirt.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would guess they are 5,200# axles or 6,000# which use the same bearings but to be sure you need to list the bearing numbers.

The problem I see is these axles have been field modified it looks to me that part of the break backing plate is missing. The 3.5K axles have 4 holes and the 5.2K/6.0K axles have 5 holes.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I would guess they are 5,200# axles or 6,000# which use the same bearings but to be sure you need to list the bearing numbers.

The problem I see is these axles have been field modified it looks to me that part of the break backing plate is missing. The 3.5K axles have 4 holes and the 5.2K/6.0K axles have 5 holes.

Chris

After reading your reply I went back out and pulled the other side of the axle to pack the bearings. I got the number of the outer bearing... 11945 by Hyatt. That last digit may be a 9 or an S. I posted a picture below for the whole forum to guess at it.

I don't think the backing plate is field modified. If it was, the modifier did an excellent job of making it look factory and made both sides look identical (see picture below). It's odd that there would be just the two holes, but I think it's factory.

There's another picture of before I pulled the hub off. That may or may not be helpful.

 

[schmism]

ive never seen 5 bolt 5K# or above rated axles. 3500# is normal for 5 bolt. which would also jive with the little spring pack of 3 springs

for reference here are my 6 on 5.5 bolt 5K# axles

 

[Skyco]

After reading your reply I went back out and pulled the other side of the axle to pack the bearings. I got the number of the outer bearing... 11945 by Hyatt. That last digit may be a 9 or an S. I posted a picture below for the whole forum to guess at it.
.

It is LM11949
What do I win?:licking:

-google pops up lm11949 immediately as a common axle bearing, nothing comes up on lm11945....:thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

I looked up a standard 3,500# axle kit and does not list that bearing #. I am at a loss on these. I am sure you guys are right, 5 lug = 3,500# axle. You have a odd balls set up for sure. First off it does not use U-Bolts and then the the brake tab only having 2 holes???? Its a odd ball deal that I think someone, maybe the trailer manufacture, has modified to meet the needs.

Good luck with this one. Its going to be a challenge and may cost more in the long run than just buying new braked axles for the thing.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...Its going to be a challenge and may cost more in the long run than just buying new braked axles for the thing.

Chris

That would be my luck.

 

[FlaDon]

I'd be real worried about that setup. Almost all 3500 lb axles will run a bigger outer bearing such as L44649/L44610 ( Timken Set 4 ). The LM11949 you have were used by Gravely on the front of their 4-wheel tractors. Set 4 has a 1.0625" bore while yours are only .750". Load capacity is 6474 for Set 4 while 6362 lbs of dynamic load lbs for the LM11949. Could those axles be only 3000 lb rated ones as that is what a search for their use would show?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am sorry for the bad news but a brake kit for one axle runs around $250. Now that includes the wiring, break-away kit, battery, 2 backing plates with shoes and springs, and the drums. You will need someone to remove the current mounting tabs and weld on new ones to spec. I can get new axles for about $200 to $250 with the brakes depending on options.

With this being odd ball I am not sure what the cost would be but you are in for.

Chris

 

[FlaDon]

I am sorry for the bad news but a brake kit for one axle runs around $250. Now that includes the wiring, break-away kit, battery, 2 backing plates with shoes and springs, and the drums. You will need someone to remove the current mounting tabs and weld on new ones to spec. I can get new axles for about $200 to $250 with the brakes depending on options.

With this being odd ball I am not sure what the cost would be but you are in for.

Chris

If you didn't mind the fact that most come with Chinese bearings, you can get them as drilled axles and new springs in a 3.5K rating in that price range with the more standard 5 X 4.5 brake drums.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I am sorry for the bad news but a brake kit for one axle runs around $250. Now that includes the wiring, break-away kit, battery, 2 backing plates with shoes and springs, and the drums. You will need someone to remove the current mounting tabs and weld on new ones to spec. I can get new axles for about $200 to $250 with the brakes depending on options.

With this being odd ball I am not sure what the cost would be but you are in for.

Chris

The good news is it sounds like you can actually get the brake kit. The problem with getting new axles is that I'm probably looking at new wheels and new tires too. This trailer isn't worth any of that. I love that it has a really low deck and it's a tilt bed, but it's old and UGLY. (See the attached picture. The trailer in question is the one in the foreground.)

I think I'm just going to install and anchor with a release mechanism controlled from the cab of the truck. If I get in trouble, I'll throw out the anchor and that will stop me.

I'm just kidding about the anchor thing. I'll probably finish working this trailer over and sell it. I'll go back to using my old non-tilt trailer (background in the attached picture) until I can find another tilt with axles that either have brakes or that I can get brakes for. I may also keep my eyes open for a few weeks to see if I can pick up an old wrecked two horse trailer. I think most of those had brakes and drop axles. That would be about perfect for this trailer.

Someday I'll be rich and I can just go buy a brand new trailer that is exactly what I want. Until then, poor men have poor ways. I'm just happy to have a trailer at all to move my tractor around.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

A neighboor friend stopped by last night while I was finishing up my maintenance job on this trailer. I shared with him the abbreviated version of the I-can't-get-brakes saga, and he reminded me that his family owns a boat business.

My initial thought was "So What?? I don't need a boat." Then I remembered that boats come with TRAILERS!! He said he can get me OEM pricing on 3500# drop axles with brakes. He also said that a guy he works with has a set of torsion axles I could probably get for cheap.

Do torsion axles work okay for a tilt trailer?

 

[Diamondpilot]

On a boat trailer you are not going to have electric brakes, you are going to have hydraulic so it may not be so simple. You will need to plumb the trailer and get a master cylinder coupler, about $300.

As for the torsion axles they have good and bad points. The biggest issue with them is there is no way to level he load between the two axles like on a conventional setup with load levelers. We used to get boat trailers with torsion axles a few years back but never again. Blew too many tires and when we would weigh them out the load split could be great. With a conventional system we were within 10% but usually 2-3%.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

On a boat trailer you are not going to have electric brakes, you are going to have hydraulic so it may not be so simple. You will need to plumb the trailer and get a master cylinder coupler, about $300.

As for the torsion axles they have good and bad points. The biggest issue with them is there is no way to level he load between the two axles like on a conventional setup with load levelers. We used to get boat trailers with torsion axles a few years back but never again. Blew too many tires and when we would weigh them out the load split could be great. With a conventional system we were within 10% but usually 2-3%.

Chris

The axles he was offering to me have electric brakes. I don't know if that's because he runs electric brakes on his boat trailers or because he can get OEM pricing on the entire line of stuff from the manufacturer.

Thanks for the input on the torsion axles. My first concern was whether the torsion axles would somehow interfere with the tilt action of the bed, but I hadn't considered the concept of balancing the load.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have been around boats for about 30 years and selling and servicing them for about 22 and have only seen 2 trailers with electric brakes on them. Not saying they are not out there but are very rare.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I have been around boats for about 30 years and selling and servicing them for about 22 and have only seen 2 trailers with electric brakes on them. Not saying they are not out there but are very rare.

Chris

My guess, then, is that he's got OEM pricing on whatever the manufacturer makes whether hydraulic or electric.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I hope they are electric. It would be a great find. If they are hydraulic one other option is to put a electric over hydraulic kit on it. I tow one boat with one and while its my least favorite its the best match for its nearly 25,000# weight.

Chris

 

[schmism]

I have been around boats for about 30 years and selling and servicing them for about 22

Dont mean to burst your bubble...but what in the world kind of boat buisness is there in the middle of hosserville (aka daleville) IN. :thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

I transport boats and buy and sell boats as a part time business. I do not have a marina per say but have a large 52'x42' shop at my home we do most of the work in. I mainly work for about the same 25 people and a close friend has a storage facility where we keep about 75 units. They all need launched and recovered plus the normal maintenance. There are 8 good sized lakes within a 1 hour drive.

I also take care of 2 trailers for a mowing company. I have also started doing all the mower maintenance for them about 3 years ago. From my contacts in the boating business and the mowing guys it gets me a little work here and there that I pick and chose to do. Mainly repacking wheel bearings, re doing brakes, installing hitches, light welding and fabrication, installing brake controllers, ect. My flying schedule only keeps me in the air a average of 12 days per months so I need something to keep me busy and this a perfect fit.

Currently I only have one unit for sale, a 27' Ebbtide Mystique if you are interested you could have a lot of fun on that river you have over there.

Chris

 

[sklunk]

I may be a little late to the thread, but call these guys to see if they can help:

R and P Carriages Trailer Sales, Service, Parts and Rentals

They are very knowledgeable about "all things trailer". And they sell brake kits for just about any axle!