Trailer axel size needed?

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Bmore

Bmore

Burning Hunk
Jun 14, 2014
148
Baltimore MD
Hey All,
I picked up a used single axel trailer on craigslist. I was suprised how well it was made. Very heavy duty with solid steel sides. My primary use for it is to haul firewood. My concern is that the trailer has a 2000lb axel and 13" tires rated at 1300lb. Is this sufficient? Trailer was so cheap I thought I could change the axel and tires if needed. I found they make 3500 and 5000lb axel assemblies in my size. Is this overkill? What do you guys use?
 

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Bmore said:
Hey All,
I picked up a used single axel trailer on craigslist. I was suprised how well it was made. Very heavy duty with solid steel sides. My primary use for it is to haul firewood. My concern is that the trailer has a 2000lb axel and 13" tires rated at 1300lb. Is this sufficient? Trailer was so cheap I thought I could change the axel and tires if needed. I found they make 3500 and 5000lb axel assemblies in my size. Is this overkill? What do you guys use?
Click to expand...
Bmore said:
Hey All,
I picked up a used single axel trailer on craigslist. I was suprised how well it was made. Very heavy duty with solid steel sides. My primary use for it is to haul firewood. My concern is that the trailer has a 2000lb axel and 13" tires rated at 1300lb. Is this sufficient? Trailer was so cheap I thought I could change the axel and tires if needed. I found they make 3500 and 5000lb axel assemblies in my size. Is this overkill? What do you guys use?
Click to expand...
This is a photo of trailer. Thanks
 

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In my opinion, you cant have too much axle. I would rather know i have enough axle for what ever i want to do. I would go with the 5200lb. It maybe a little overkill, but your not gonna have any problems running down the highway loaded. You can also run a little bigger tire too.
 
[QUOTE My concern is that the trailer has a 2000lb axel and 13" tires rated at 1300lb. Is this sufficient? [/QUOTE]

That's 1300# EACH tire. that would be 2600# for the tires. I agree that you can't go too heavy on the axle.
 
When considering a heavier duty axle , typically trailers over 3000# capacity are required to have breaks. Will the tongue and trailer frame handle the larger load?
 
triptester said:
typically trailers over 3000# capacity are required to have breaks.
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I think this is location based. In IL my 3500# trailer is not required to have breaks. As a matter of fact, my old tandem axle trailer (sold) didn't have breaks either.

Anyhoo - that appears to be a 5 X 8 trailer. Piled oak rounds could bring weights upwards (maybe in excess of) 3500# pretty quickly.

Be aware - its more than just bolting up a larger capacity axle. Springs, connection points, framing, tongue all have to be taken into consideration.
 
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My tongue doesn't look like it would hold 5k. I plan on doing the 3500lb axel upgrade with new springs, tires and wheels. Should be a nice 5x10 wood wagon when it's done. My last load blew a shock on my Ram 1500. Looking forward to the trailer. For now I just won't load the thing too full and hope it makes it home. Thanks!
 
Bmore said:
Hey All,
I picked up a used single axel trailer on craigslist. I was suprised how well it was made. Very heavy duty with solid steel sides. My primary use for it is to haul firewood. My concern is that the trailer has a 2000lb axel and 13" tires rated at 1300lb. Is this sufficient? Trailer was so cheap I thought I could change the axel and tires if needed. I found they make 3500 and 5000lb axel assemblies in my size. Is this overkill? What do you guys use?
Click to expand...

There's no such thing as overkill when it comes to hauling wood.


But.... what are you using to tow it? No point in a huge axle if you are towing it with a Prius.
 
BlueRidgeMark said:
There's no such thing as overkill when it comes to hauling wood.


But.... what are you using to tow it? No point in a huge axle if you are towing it with a Prius.
Click to expand...
I have a 1500 Ram. Blew out a rear shock and flattened the coil on my last haul. That's when I decided to find a trailer.
 
Jags said:
I think this is location based. In IL my 3500# trailer is not required to have breaks. As a matter of fact, my old tandem axle trailer (sold) didn't have breaks either.

Anyhoo - that appears to be a 5 X 8 trailer. Piled oak rounds could bring weights upwards (maybe in excess of) 3500# pretty quickly.

Be aware - its more than just bolting up a larger capacity axle. Springs, connection points, framing, tongue all have to be taken into consideration.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying that a heavier axle is all you need to increase GVW, all it will do is reduce the chances of a bent axle. In all reality 3500# is not heavy enough for a wood hauler. a 6000# trailer really is not enough.
 
greg13 said:
In all reality 3500# is not heavy enough for a wood hauler
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Dunno about that. By the time I cut and load, get it home and then get it unloaded 3500# seems plenty big enough to me.;)
 
Jags said:
Dunno about that. By the time I cut and load, get it home and then get it unloaded 3500# seems plenty big enough to me.;)
Click to expand...
You are doing it wrong, that's what kids are for!!!;lol
 
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