I currently have 5200lb axles and need 6000lb axles. The vin says 6000lb but they are marked 5200lb. Other than springs I'm told that the brakes are probably the same, what may be different is the 6 bolt hubs and bearings and possibly the spindle size. I'm also told that many manufacturers use a 6000lb axle and just de-rate it to 5200lbs by using lighter springs for a softer ride. The easiest way would be for me to just replace the complete axle assembly but would cost $1045 for the axles and springs. The factory is not admitting any responsibility and just issued new vin stickers with the lower GVWR and GAWR, this does not help me as I will be over my new GVWR and GAWR. Any help or advice would be appreciated. The trailer is at the dealer having some repairs done to damage caused in shipping so I don't know the axle manufacturer but the frame was made by Lippert.

 

The difference between the 2 are probably the tires. I would just get a heavier rated tire and be done with it..

 

this differance will be in the outer bearing most 5200-7000# axles use the same brakes spindles and inter bearing they put in a bigger outer bearing to get the rating and on the 7k pounders step up to 8 lug wheels. The other differance will be in the spings and tires

 

The tires are ST235/80R16 load range E 34XX lbs at 80 Psi so the tires can handle the load and I would assume the rims can also as they came factory. I can get the trailer back today so I'll pull a hub and measure the brakes and bearings and look for part numbers to see what I actually have. How would I tell the difference between 5200lb and 6000lb springs?

 

Have a look around here....http://www.dexteraxle.com/parts_store_ This will give you an idea of what parts are universal.....

Unless you have Torflex or drop axles, you should be able to get 6K axle beams with the spring pads shipped loose for around $150ea plus shipping. Just weld those bad boys on like the originals. Everything else will swap over.

 

Thanks for the link VERY useful, it gives a lot of helpful information and I can easily determine what spring packs are on there.

 

I got the trailer back and checked a few things out. Tires are ST 235/80R16 load range E 3520lbs at 80PSI. Lippert axles with springs rated at 6000LB going by the stack size. The hubs are 6 on 5.5 and seem to have the same front and rear bearing sizes as the 6000lb ones. 12 inch brakes with white wires. To me they should be rated at 6000lbs. I will have to pull a hub to confirm exactly what I have for bearings.

 

It turned out the hubs were 5200lb ones and needed machining to fit he larger outer bearing. Because I couldn't confirm the axle tube thickness was the same for 5200 and 6000lb Lippert axles I had new ones made by a local manufacturer and will reuse the original springs.

Has anyone replaced an axle without springs by using the trailer ramp method on both wheels of the same axle?