I have a 16' flatbed dovetail car hauler. It has 5 lug hubs on it. I was wondering if anyone knows if I could do a conversion to an 8 lug. I want to put my factory truck wheels with 245's on for additional weight stability. Thanks guys!

I have seen it done on 5200lb axle but not 3500lb. It is not possible that I am aware of. (the 5200lb and 6000lb have same splindle and bearings and much better brakes too) A friend of mine just got a 7 x 18 enclosed and had to order it to get the stronger 5200lb axles on it. Besides, it would probly lead to more problems if you could because 3500 axle are not strong (I have seen a lot bent from over load) and the larger tire would apply more leverage to the spindle in turns when loaded and could lead to earlier axle failure. You could try a higher ply rated 15 trailer tire but axle is still the weak link here.

I know they make them, but not sure where to get them. Check out http://www.trailer-parts-forless.com/trailerparts_forless/tire_wheel_assembly.htm to get an idea of what is available. You should be able to get axle assemblies at a good RV center, but I doubt you would be able to get them easily off the Internet.


Good Luck,
Dennis

I just did a quick check and Dexter "http://www.dexteraxle.com" does not list a 8 bolt wheel as a option though they do list 6 bolt hubs for 3500lb axles (probaly to keep people from trying to carry 5000lb load on 3500lb axles) They do offer it as a option for 5500lbs axles and bigger (a 5500 is a 5200 with a different hub and tire) Here is another link I found that you can get a price quote via email for bigger axles. "http://abctrailerparts.com/axles.html" If you are having stabilty problems now, you are probaly at or above rated capacity of your axle anyway. Some trailer dealers sell trailers with the cheapest axles possible under big trailers for maximum profit. Myself, I would not own a car hauler trailer with only 3500 axles. Several years ago I had a friend that used to drag race and haul his car all over to do it. He bought a new custom enclosed trailer with only 3500 axle and was always having tires and bearing problems with it and eventually bent a axle. Problem is is that there are no regulations limiting minumum axle size under a trailer and I have seen 28 foot enclosed trailers with 3500 axles! If you are have problem I would get strong axles or a newer trailer with stronger axles to begin with. A big contruction company near here bought about 20 trailers a while ago. They went to a trailer dealer and told them what they planned to use them for and carry in them and he "fixed" them up with enclosed trailers with 3500 dual axles. After a year of tire and axle problems they weighed the trailer and found they averaged 9000lb loaded. Neddless to say to did not do anymore bussiness with that trailer vendor when they bought new replacement trailers again with the correct axles to begin with. It is far better to have more axle than you need than less and try to "strech" themEdited by: snoman

snoman,


You are absolutely right, go with the biggest axle you can get. I have a 32' Wells Cargo Autowagon. It has 8-lugs on 6000 lb Dexters, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.


I'll do a search later, I know I saw someone that sold axles online. Takes a while to jog the memory, you know, but the information is in there somewhere. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Dennis

Go to


http://www.dexteraxle.com/


They have quite a bit of information on all their products (Hmm, I guess I shouldn't wonder why).


Dennis

The 5200 is a good base axle for a car hauler (as I have been told by a trailer vendor that the 5200 and 6000 are basically the same axle) and build from there depending on what you plan to haul. A good trailer manufacture will also beef up frame with axle size increase as well though some shady ones do not on cheap trailers. Edited by: snoman

snoman,


What do you think of Wells Cargo. When I bought mine, I heard nothing but good things about it, and I have been pretty happy with it. It seems like a very high quality product, but it is also the first trailer I've owned. I'd be interested to hear your opinions on them, seems like you've dealt with a few before.


Thanks,
Dennis

Thanks for all of the input guys. i haven't had any problems with the axles or pulling the trailer. It jus seems that I can't find a heavy duty enough 15" tire. If I could find a good enough tire. i would be fine. I can pull my Honda and my wife's Tahoe without problems other than the tires looking almost flat with the Tahoe on board. I just thought it would be cool to put my factory truck wheels to good use. I you guys know where I could find Axle upgrades with 8 lug hub at a really good price, I'm all ears. Thanks again!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Thanks for all of the input guys. i haven't had any problems with the axles or pulling the trailer. It jus seems that I can't find a heavy duty enough 15" tire. If I could find a good enough tire. i would be fine. I can pull my Honda and my wife's Tahoe without problems other than the tires looking almost flat with the Tahoe on board. I just thought it would be cool to put my factory truck wheels to good use. I you guys know where I could find Axle upgrades with 8 lug hub at a really good price, I'm all ears. Thanks again!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

They look flat because the trailer is really mostlikely overloaded for it axles. You might load it up and put it on a scale and it might surprize you as to what the problem really is.

It's hard for me to believe that my 3200 lb honda accord is too much weight. I see people hauling heavy equiptment on this same treailer all of the time. I just can't seem to find a 15" tire that can handle the weight of the trailer and the car both.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

It's hard for me to believe that my 3200 lb honda accord is too much weight. I see people hauling heavy equiptment on this same treailer all of the time. I just can't seem to find a 15" tire that can handle the weight of the trailer and the car both.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

A 15 inch tire can handle up to 2000 pounds or so. The 235's on my burb are rated at 1985 at 50 PSI cold and I have little doubt that I have had them loaded to that and a bit more on trips in the rear and I have no stabilty problems or bulging. Weigh trailer with heaviest car on trailer and see what you are dealing with and then go from there. 3500lbs axles on a beavertail car hauler are marginal at best. Edited by: snoman

DMAX POWER007


Titan makes a load range "E" tire for 15" wheels, I have them on my travel trailer and have been happy with them. Titan is the only manufacturer I could find that makes a load range "E" ST225-75R15 tire. They are rated at 2830 pounds. http://www.titanstore.com/store/trailer.html


BobEdited by: Tinbender

DMAX POWER007


Titan makes a load range "E" tire for 15" wheels, I have them on my travel trailer and have been happy with them. Titan is the only manufacturer I could find that makes a load range "E" ST225-75R15 tire. They are rated at 2830 pounds. http://www.titanstore.com/store/trailer.html


Bob

Good deal, make sure your wheels are rated at that pressure too!

DMAX, you might also want to measure the distance center-center and make sure the tallers tires will fit. I have to agree with the others though on ratings. Although I like the idea of the trailer tires matching!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

I'm here to learn, so please explain:

How do I determine the weight rating of the axles on my tandem axle car hauler flatbed trailer? I'm not concerned if I use it for hauling one of my cars, but occasionally I want to haul my JD 5210 which weighs considerably more. I was told the trailer was rated for 7500 lbs.


Thanks for the help.