Questions Regarding Trailer Axles

[Ductape]

I've got a 7000lb 6 X 10 Bri-Mar dump trailer i use mostly for my own firewood. I'm contemplating putting heavier axles under it...... i easily max it out with a load of green firewood. I've contacted Bri-Mar, and there are no structural differences between my trailer and the same trailer with a 10,000lb rating...... the difference is in the axles.

Can a couple of you recommend a couple places to purchase a set of 5000 (or maybe even 6000)lb axles?

Has anyone else done this? Were you happy with the results?

I'm farmiliar with Dexter, but are there any other brands i should consider, or stay away from?

 

[RobS]

I've had good luck with TrailerPartsSuperstore, though I suspect the shipping would be costly. Compare to whatever you can find locally just to be sure.

 

[Bird]

I'm sure there are other brands, but like you, Dexter is the only one I've dealt with and have always been happy with them.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Here's the problem
Your GVW plate on the trailer won't change.

So, legally, it will still be a 7000lb trailer.

Sell that one, buy another one the proper size, it will cost way less to do that than to change axles and send it back to the factory to be re-certified.

 

[Ductape]

I'm sure there are other brands, but like you, Dexter is the only one I've dealt with and have always been happy with them.

I know dexter has always had a reputation for quality....... but my concern is, are they STILL a quality made in USA product (or at least a quality made in somewhere else)?

Here's the problem
Your GVW plate on the trailer won't change.

So, legally, it will still be a 7000lb trailer.

Sell that one, buy another one the proper size, it will cost way less to do that than to change axles and send it back to the factory to be re-certified.

I've thought about this...... and still thinking about this.

My trailer is not used commercially, just my own personal use. Its in nice condition....... i've never even hauled dirt in it, just firewood and leaves/yard debris. Since there is no difference in build, adding the heavier axles is not making it inherantly unsafe. I do believe in the state of NH I could just register it for the heavier weight(which I will look into). Granted.... in the case of an accident loaded between 7 and 10 thousand pounds, there could be a percieved legal liability issue. But..... thats splitting hairs IMO, and at that point I'd already have larger problems.

I have seen decent prices on used heavier dumps in this economy..... but that also means it will be more difficult to get more than a"fire sale" price on mine. This is why I thought I'd at least look at the cost of putting new axles under it...... I can always sell my axles/wheels to recoup a small portion of my investment.

 

[shvl73]

Does NH allow a homemade trailer to be registered for 10K? If so, you could remove the dataplate to re-register.

 

[Ductape]

I'm unaware of a weight limit for a home-built, but its certainly possible. I imagine a couple phone calls would answer that.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I've got a 7000lb 6 X 10 Bri-Mar dump trailer i use mostly for my own firewood. I'm contemplating putting heavier axles under it...... i easily max it out with a load of green firewood. I've contacted Bri-Mar, and there are no structural differences between my trailer and the same trailer with a 10,000lb rating...... the difference is in the axles.

Can a couple of you recommend a couple places to purchase a set of 5000 (or maybe even 6000)lb axles?

Has anyone else done this? Were you happy with the results?

I'm farmiliar with Dexter, but are there any other brands i should consider, or stay away from?

Northern tool has axles from 2000lb. to 7000lb. and the prices are from $249.99 to $749.99

All there axles around 5000lb. and up all have brakes included in the price, sometimes they do offer free shipping.

 

[RobS]

I know dexter has always had a reputation for quality....... but my concern is, are they STILL a quality made in USA product (or at least a quality made in somewhere else)?

Dexter is located in the town next to mine and AFAIK they are still alive and kicking over there. Like all the RV industry, they have had cutbacks and closures.

What has impressed me most about Dexter is the amount of technical information they provide on their website. They seem very open and honest about their products. I like that.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm sure there are other brands, but like you, Dexter is the only one I've dealt with and have always been happy with them.

Ditto that.. I like dexter axles.. parts widely available too.

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

I sell trailers and what the other say, go Dexter. This is going to cost you nearly $2000 to do though. You are going from 5 lug wheels to 6 or 8 lug wheels so you will need 5 new wheels at $75 each. You then will need 5 new 8 ply tires minimum that will run you $100 each. Your old brakes will not fit the new axles so it will need all new brakes, about $200 per axle. Now the axles are about the same price for 5,200# and 6,000# so just get the new 6,000# axles at around $200 each. You will also need to replace some of the hardware like U bolts due to the larger axle diameter and bottom plates plus probably springs since it will be cheaper to just get all new spring kits than source the parts.

So anyway you will be into $400 for axles, $400 for brakes, $500 for tires, $375 for wheels, and then the springs and hardware will run you another $200-$400 dollars depending on what you have. You are already at $1800+ and I am sure there are some other odds and ends.

As you can see it adds up. Just sell it and call it a learning experience and buy a bigger heavier trailer. This is why we tell people to buy a bigger trailer than what they think they need. 9 times out of 10 the wish they had the bigger one a year later. I know I wish I had a 20' car hauler instead of my 18' one.

Chris

 

[tlbuser]

Yes, I have...these guys have been really helpful for me. I use the Pa. location. Can't hurt to call and check the prices.

Redneck Trailer Supplies - Branch 18 - Round Lake, NY

 

[LoneCowboy]

I sell trailers ....

As you can see it adds up. Just sell it and call it a learning experience and buy a bigger heavier trailer. This is why we tell people to buy a bigger trailer than what they think they need. 9 times out of 10 the wish they had the bigger one a year later. I know I wish I had a 20' car hauler instead of my 18' one.

Chris

THIS
I tell everyone that asks me for advice (I dont' sell trailers), buy slightly bigger and they don't and they all regret it a year later.
No one ever wished for LESS weight capacity.

it will be much cheaper to sell it and start over and the resale on the different trailer will be higher. If you go to sell the one you changed out, it's not going to be worth much, who's going to believe it or pay for it?

 

[AKwelder]

I learn after a long and painful couple of projects that buying is cheaper. What no one has gotten into is the fenders and the clearance.

You have either fenders or a deck over trailer. If your dump trailer is like the ones around here, the fenders are welded to the body, witch makes it complicated to switch. If you have a deck over trailer, you might need special hardware, axles, or tires to fit under the deck.

You might look closely at what you have, some trailers have mixed combinations of axle parts. As an example you could have all dexter parts, with a 6000# axle, with smaller hub, and tires to match, with 3500# springs.

All kinds of things are possible, i just recommend doing an inventory before you start.

If you like to build things and have the tools, Good luck, have fun, and post us pictures.

if you are trying to save money, look into a trade-in.

If you need a larger trailer twice a year, rent it