I had not thought of that. Are all 5 lug 3500#? I see on the 5 ton trailers they are 6 lug, but can;t find a good side shot of any 4 ton trailers on a dealer site
Which Trailer would you buy and why
- Thread starter WaterDawg
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I had not thought of that. Are all 5 lug 3500#? I see on the 5 ton trailers they are 6 lug, but can;t find a good side shot of any 4 ton trailers on a dealer site
One other question.
Since the dealers are closed today, I can't find this out. Hope one of you know.
On the Big Tex, its rated at 6000#, would that be (as I am assuming with twin 3500# axles) the payload capacity?
Since the dealers are closed today, I can't find this out. Hope one of you know.
On the Big Tex, its rated at 6000#, would that be (as I am assuming with twin 3500# axles) the payload capacity?
George2615
Super Member
As a general rule if the trailer has 2- 3500# axles it's a 7K GVWR. Subtract the weight of the trailer (say its 2000), That gives a load capacity of 5K. Every trailer Mfg. rates their trailers differently. Some figure in the fact that some weight is transferred to the tow vehicle and increase the load capacity of the trailer by how much weight is transferred to the tow vehicle. That may be the case on the Big Tex. Some don't even give a clue as to the actual load capacity and just state the GVWR. To the uniformed, a person buying a 7K car trailer may think they can haul 7K when that is not the case.
Another example is my own dump trailer. It has 2- 6K axles which to me says it's a 12K rated trailer. Yet the Mfg. rates it at 13.8K minus the trailer weight of say 3300 giving it a load capacity of 10.5K. They figure weight is transferred to the tow vehicle so they rate it higher. See tag. Apparently they figure at least 1800# is transferred to the tow vehicle.
Another example is my own dump trailer. It has 2- 6K axles which to me says it's a 12K rated trailer. Yet the Mfg. rates it at 13.8K minus the trailer weight of say 3300 giving it a load capacity of 10.5K. They figure weight is transferred to the tow vehicle so they rate it higher. See tag. Apparently they figure at least 1800# is transferred to the tow vehicle.
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JimRB
Veteran Member
I am a fan of electric brakes on every trailer axle. I prefer the trailer to stop its own load and the truck to stop itself. I have 3 trailers and all have brakes on all axles. The equipment trailer did not. I bent an axle in a slow speed spinout. The replacement axle has brakes. Much easier to use that trailer now that it can stop itself.
BigTex has a website with specs for the current trailers. You might be able to deduce specs for used trailers with that info.
BigTex has a website with specs for the current trailers. You might be able to deduce specs for used trailers with that info.
Diamondpilot
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Yes, 5 lug are 3500# max. 6 lug are 5200 or 6000# axles. 8 lug are 7000 or 8000#.
Chris
Diamondpilot
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No, not payload, GVWR. They have derated it because there is a weak link somewhere else. Usually it a 2" ball coupler or non full wrap around tongue.
Chris
HHR
Platinum Member
Most 6000 pound axles that I see have 8 lugs. I have one with 6 lugs and one with 8. The trailer with 6 lug axles is only rated at 10K because of the 15 inch load range D tires. Trailer with 8 lug axles is rated at 12K with 16 inch load range E tires.
George2615
Super Member
My dump trailer also has 8 lugs. axles are rated for 6K with 16" E tires as shown on my tag in the previous post.
Diamondpilot
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- Jinma 254/284 Ford 861 Powermaster at work
Must be a regional thing. I maintain at least 50 trailer with 6K axles or 5.2K axles and all have 6 lugs. 2 of my 3 personal trailers have 6K axles, one a 12K and the other an 18K, and all have 6 lug and for that matter use the same hub, bearings, and seal as the 5.2K unit's. Only difference is axle tube wall thickness.
My 12K has 15" wheels with 10 ply tires and my 18K has 16" wheels with 10 ply tires
Chris
HHR
Platinum Member
The nice thing about the 8 lug is the ability to throw on a wheel from an 8 lug gm or dodge truck in a pinch. We even rotated the LT rated trailer tires to the duramax 3/4 ton for 12K miles to wear some rubber off them before they had a chance to rot out. (Applies to 2010 and older GM trucks, 2015 and older Ram trucks and 1997 and older Ford 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with the 8x6.5 bolt pattern)
