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Old 06-11-2012, 11:54 AM   #1
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Upgrading axles?

Has anyone upgraded their axles on their camper? We have a 2006 zinger with 3500 lb axles. We just found out that we have a bent axle. I'm wanting to upgrade to a heavier axle to prevent this. Camper has never been over weight. We have a weight distribution hitch with everything set up correctly. I believe dry weight is 6700 lbs and gross weight is 8200.
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Old 06-11-2012, 11:56 AM   #2
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Have you actually weighed the rig to know if you're overweight or not? Without that info you really don't know.
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Old 06-11-2012, 10:10 PM   #3
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http://www.al-kousa.com/pdf/T52_T60_...200-7000lb.pdf axles are available in many different weight ratings. Same for Dexter Axleshttp://www.dexteraxle.com/resource_library_. Both companies have fitment charts.
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Old 06-12-2012, 07:17 AM   #4
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Your 3,500 pound axles probably have 2 3/8ths" tubing for the axle housing. The 5,000-pound axles have 3" round wall tubing, so that would definitely be a stronger axle assembly.

Upgrading the axles from 3,500 pounds capacity to 5,000 or 5,200 pound capacity is a simple mechanical R&R, but you probably cannot simply replace just the axle housing (tubing). You'll need to replace the entire axle assembly, including hubs and brakes. And with the new hubs, the old wheels probably won't fit, so you'll need new wheels too - and that might mean new tires.

If your trailer has Al-ko axles, then a good source for new ones is
5,200 lb. Standard Spring Trailer Axle
About $350 per axle with brakes.

If your trailer has Dexter axles, they cost more - about $466 each with brakes. Here is an example of a straight axle with a 84" hub face.
5.2K ASSY 84-70 655 ELEC EZ OV

To order new axles, you must know the length of the axle, called the hub face measurement, or the distance between the hub faces (base of lugbolts) of the axle. The example of the Dexter axle above with 84" hub face is typical for normal-width TTs. But you must measure to be sure.
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Old 06-12-2012, 03:26 PM   #5
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I have lippert axles right now. I'm still waiting on them to get back with me.
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Old 06-12-2012, 05:50 PM   #6
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You might also consult the 4wd shops. Last I heard, in addition to axle shafts with additional splines (that won't help with bending) - there was a process of hardening axle shafts (cryo) that might be lower cost than replacing the entire axle assembly...
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Old 06-12-2012, 07:04 PM   #7
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First thing is to get the weight on the axles when loaded for travel. You may be heavier than you think. Like Smokey noted, you need to replave the whole axle assembly and probably the wheels as well.

Ken
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