What's the difference between 5200 & 6000 lb axles?

   / What's the difference between 5200 & 6000 lb axles? #1  

TSO

Elite Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2012
Messages
4,440
Location
SouthEast Michigan
Tractor
Massey 1652 HST Cab
I have a 20ft Equip hauler with 5200 axles. What's the difference with these & the 6000 lb axles? Is it just a leaf pack? It looks like they're both 6-lug wheels. Maybe it's leafs & stepping up to E rated tires? Maybe bigger brakes too?

Asking in case, down the road, I need more capacity... When I looked at the trailers, nothing looked different (construction wise) between the 10000 & 12000 lb trailers besides the rated numbers. Could I get away with (not officially) swapping in 6000 lb axles? Would they be a direct fit?

The tongue & receiver state (in stamped writing) that they're rated for 12,500 lbs.

Thanks in advance.
 
   / What's the difference between 5200 & 6000 lb axles? #2  
The tube wall is thicker on 6 axles. Springs, spindles, bearings, hubs, ect are all the same. 5.2K run 15" wheels and LRD tires while 6K run 16" and LRE tires.

Each component has a rating. While you may find 15" wheels with 3000# capacity they are rare. Most all 16" have 3000# plus capacity.

Chris
 
Last edited:
   / What's the difference between 5200 & 6000 lb axles? #3  
I like to look at this website and see the trailer parts and specifics. Trailer Parts from trailerpart.com

For whatever reason they don't show any 6000lb axles but maybe you can poke around on there and get some useful info.
 
   / What's the difference between 5200 & 6000 lb axles? #4  
Of hand I'd say about 800 pounds.

the components may be larger and the tires/brakes may be a different rating.
 
   / What's the difference between 5200 & 6000 lb axles? #5  
I have a 20ft Equip hauler with 5200 axles. What's the difference with these & the 6000 lb axles? Is it just a leaf pack? It looks like they're both 6-lug wheels. Maybe it's leafs & stepping up to E rated tires? Maybe bigger brakes too?

Asking in case, down the road, I need more capacity... When I looked at the trailers, nothing looked different (construction wise) between the 10000 & 12000 lb trailers besides the rated numbers. Could I get away with (not officially) swapping in 6000 lb axles? Would they be a direct fit?

The tongue & receiver state (in stamped writing) that they're rated for 12,500 lbs.

Thanks in advance.

I know all trailers are different, but my 12,000# trailer has 8 lug axles/wheels. Mine is a couple years old, but the specs haven't changed (at least not much).

20ft Flat Deck Trailer 12000# GVW HH-F12000A20 | Heavy Hauler Trailers & Truck Accessories
 
   / What's the difference between 5200 & 6000 lb axles? #6  
Of hand I'd say about 800 pounds.

the components may be larger and the tires/brakes may be a different rating.

Beat me to it.:laughing:
 
   / What's the difference between 5200 & 6000 lb axles? #8  
Axles, brakes, tires are not the only thing that determines a trailers capacity. The structural members get thicker and deeper and the welds larger and longer. The structural members may even change shape to better accommodate the increased rating.

Just changes these assemblies may be like only changing the posts under your backyard deck so that it can hold a hot tub.

BWSwede
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2020 CHEVROLET Z71 TEXAS EDITION TRUCK (A51406)
2020 CHEVROLET Z71...
Ford 4x4 Pickup Truck Bed (A49461)
Ford 4x4 Pickup...
2016 Big Tex 24ft. T/A Flatbed Trailer (A50322)
2016 Big Tex 24ft...
2016 Toro Groundsmaster 3505D 72in Rotary Mower (A48082)
2016 Toro...
2019 KENWORTH T680 SLEEPER (A51222)
2019 KENWORTH T680...
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV (A49461)
2015 Chevrolet...
 
Top