Expert Reply: It is highly likely that you can carry 5,000 pounds on two 3,500 pound axles. The carrying capacity of two 3,500 pound axles is 7,000 pounds. The axles support not only the cargo's weight but also the weight of the trailer's frame and body.
A 3,500 lb Capacity Drop Trailer Axle Beam is most commonly used on Enclosed trailers, Cargo Trailers, and Stock Trailers that are running 5 Lug Brake Drums or Idler Hubs, and need to have a lower deck for loading and unloading.
Expert Reply: The percent of the rating you can use for your 5,200 lb axle is 100%. The axles on your tandem axle trailer are designed to hold 5,200 lbs each or 10,400 lbs total. As long as you are not exceeding this amount there is no reason to increase axle capacity with the # 7461121.
What is the maximum weight capacity for a single axle trailer? Most trailer axles (individually) can carry between 1,000 and 10,000 pounds. You can reasonably estimate the axle's average load capacity by measuring the axle or axles' diameter.
You Sticker Stamp or Plate Can Tell You the Weight Rating
The word capacity with some number in thousands. Axles with 5,000lb capacity might read “Capacity 5,000”. The abbreviation GAWR, which means Gross Axle Weight Rating. There will be a number in the thousands next to this one, too.
Expert Reply: Axles that are 3,500 lbs are all 2-3/8 inches in diameter, and that is the diameter of the 3,500 lb Dexter Trailer Axle with Idler Hubs - 5 on 4-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 89" Long - 3,500 lbs # 35545I-ST-89.
Standard Spring Dexter® Trailer Axle. Trailer Axle: 2 3/8" diameter x 3/16" nominal wall round tubing. Hub/Drum: Idler hubs and hub/drums available in a 5-4.5", 5-4.75", 5-5", 5-5.5", or 6-5.5"bolt circle.
Expert Reply: In almost all cases 3,500 lb axles will all use the same bearings. If your trailer has a Lippert or Dexter 3,500 lb axle then yeah they would be the same. But to be safe it won't hurt to pull them off and get the numbers.
The proper torque for 3500-8000 lb capacity axles is 65 ft-lbs (u-bolt diameter of ½” and 9/16”). The torque for smaller 2000 lb axles using a 3/8” u-bolt should be set at 35 ft-lbs. The torque should be checked with the coach weight sitting on the tires.
The average allowable maximum gross weight in 111 different jurisdictions in the USA and Canada is 82,503 lbs. These limits are applicable to the standard 5 axle semi truck depicted below. These are the gross weight limits, or the total amount that the truck combination can weigh, including itself and its load.
Most boxed/flatbed trailers equipped with a six-lug axle and a 15-inch wheel/tire combo are rated at between 3,500 and 6,000 pounds per axle, so that is 7,000 to 12,000 total pounds of load hauling ability, including the weight of the trailer.
A vehicle's payload capacity is the amount of weight it can carry, whereas the towing capacity is the amount of weight it can pull. Car manufacturers frequently use the term "hauling" to describe the process of moving weight in a truck's bed instead of towing or moving weight in a trailer.
Technically, a trailer rated for 10,000 lbs can have 5 lug hubs. They are most common on 3,500 lb axles but can be used on the rare 4,000 lb axles as well. You could have a gooseneck or 5th wheel trailer with the 10,000 lb capacity and tandem axle 5 lug axles because the tongue weight can carry the rest.
Subtract the empty weight of your trailer from the GVWR listed. The resulting number will be the maximum available cargo capacity of the trailer. Do not exceed this number. In addition to knowing your trailer's towing limit, you need to know how to determine the correct load limit for your tow vehicle.
This requires drivers to know what the maximum pressure is allowed on the axle before it is overloaded. For example 61 psi may equal 34,000 pounds for a trailer axle. If the pressure gauge is ever over 61 psi then the axle is over loaded and the load should be adjusted to get the pressure below this max limit.
Expert Reply: You are exactly right when you mentioned the tongue weight of a trailer being accounted for when determining its overall capacity. It is not uncommon for trailer manufacturers to list a trailer's GVWR to be a bit higher than the combined capacity of its axles.
Gross Axle Weight (GAW) - The total weight supported by each axle (front or rear). To compute this weight for your vehicle and trailer combined, take the loaded vehicle and trailer to a scale. With the trailer attached, place the front wheels of the vehicle on the scale to obtain the front GAW.
[2] Mobile home rims [ commonly refered to as Doughnut Rims] are attached to the hub by a bolt & clip device called a Rim Clamp. [3] Standard mobile home application uses axles rated at 6000# or 7000# with 14.5 x 6 doughnut rims rated at 3000# each & 14.5 x 7 rims rated at 3500# each.
If you go over the payload capacity, you run the risk of breaking your truck's suspension and even voiding your warranty. Thankfully, there is a way to calculate exactly how much weight your truck can handle, known as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
I.e., for highways, the standard axle load is 115 kN. The primary road pavement should be designed just for such a load. But here, two critical points should be considered.