Trailer axle capacity/sizing

jonny rotten

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
345
Shoreline trailers are no longer in business right? I have a single axle trailer with a 2x3 axle. Trying to figure out weight capacity. A google search shows multiple weight rating for that size axle from 3500 to 5200? How do I find out what it will hold. It's built like a brick shithouse. Also I'm going from a 19 foot to a 21 foot. I can slide the winch forward on the tongue but won't know the tongue weight till after it's on. How do I know if the trailer will even fit the boat correctly EDIT: Going from a 2500# boat to a #3500 1998 210 sundeck. The eye hook on the new boat is 27 in down from the bow. The old boat is 37 in. The new boat from Stern to eye is 2 feet longer. 15 minute ride to the ramp at 40 MPH20240610_085540.jpg20240610_085558.jpg
 
Last edited:

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,570
5-lug hubs?
6-lug hubs?
8-lug hubs?
 

cyclops222

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
1,307
Lots of pictures of the boat, trailer and tow vehicle will be a huge help to guide you. What type of brakes does the trailer have now ? Do you know if they work well ? Picture of the front of the trailer. Make and model of the new 21' boat ? Tire size and weight rating on both tires ? Do you always keep the tires at FULL rated air pressure? Any old age small weather cracks starting on the sides of the tires ? Can you find Load Rating on the tire side wall ?
Sounds like a lot of questions. But we have some great trailer people.
Do you do 65 to 80 mph if conditions & traffic are doing high speeds ?
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,570
5-LUG IS 2500# - 3500# most likely the axles are 3500# axles.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,081
A google search shows multiple weight rating for that size axle from 3500 to 5200? How do I find out what it will hold.
Single axle trailer........#3500 to #5200 involves a tire change.
Existing load rating = tire rating

Going from a 2500# boat to a #3500 1998 210 sundeck.
According to literature the dry weight of your new boat is #3,500.
Add fuel, coolers, toys and misc and your probably closer to #4,000.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,674
The 2x3 axles usually come with #42 spindles. They can be made in 5200, 6000, and 7,000 capacities. Same axle & spindle & same size inner bearing for all 3. What changes is the outer bearing is larger when you go from 5200–>6000
–>7000 and the & hub (drum or disc) is made to take a larger outer bearing. Both the 5200 & 6000 axles use a 6 lug hub but the 7000 goes up to an 8 lug hub.
Learned this when I had a 2x3 6000 lb axle made for my old single axle trailer. Overkill but I like it & it also allows you to use 12” brakes.
Looks like you have a 3500 axle (5 lug hubs).
 
Last edited:

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,674
If you’re going with a 21’ boat I think a 3500 likely will be overloaded. You could buy a 5200 already made (Trailer parts depot sells them) or have one made by a place like Champion Trailers. That’s what the did. Took about a month and they did a great job!
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,674
that's why I say it's prob a 3500.
this if you need it fast but has to fit the hub width and spring center dimension if a spring axle
If you can wait, Champion Trailers can make it to your specs
they made me a 2x3, 1/4" wall thickness, galvanized, drop axle with the saddle center section for just a bit more than the cheaper ones in that link. Fit perfect.
Here's mine
now I don't worry when I trailer lol. 6000 lbs gives me a big safety margin
next thing is Load Range E tires
currently I have Load Range D on it
not overloaded though....
you can see my old 3500 lb axle on the side of my driveway
Champion made that one too back in 2004
sold it to a guy for $30 less than I paid, in 2004!Load Rite upgrade 6000 drop axle.jpg
 
Last edited:

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,851
A trailer for a 3500# boat will need to have a larger capacity, as the trailer itself weighs 600-700#. When I looked at trailers 4 or so years ago, a trailer for a 3500# boat was usually dual axle, with a capacity of about 4400#. You might want to double check the weight capacity of your trailer, as I thought single axle 4400# trailers were rare....
 

Scott06

Admiral
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Messages
6,440
A trailer for a 3500# boat will need to have a larger capacity, as the trailer itself weighs 600-700#. When I looked at trailers 4 or so years ago, a trailer for a 3500# boat was usually dual axle, with a capacity of about 4400#. You might want to double check the weight capacity of your trailer, as I thought single axle 4400# trailers were rare....
Agreed my 3500 listed dry weight boat is on a 5200 lb dual axle aluminum trailer. I would not want to go any smaller.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Go to the stickies at the top of this page. Bearing sizes can point to weight capacity of an axel. Although the chart covers up to 3500#, the bearing size on your trailer will tell you if the axle is rated 3500 or 5200. Option two is to measure the spindle diameter where the inner and outer bearings ride.
 
Top