AXLE Capacity for Stacker Trailer

[Gordon Dewald]

I am in the process of spec'ing out a stacker trailer. I am going to limit the GVW weight of the trailer to 15,000 lb. There will be a 3 axle spread.

The question is what capacity axles should I select?

[palehorse89]

Hi Gordon, what are your options? I am having a custom enclosed trailer built, 10,000/gvwr and it has 5200# torsion axles under it.

[Skip426]

What are the capacities of the options?

JMHO: I've never done this but, I would think you would want to spec the axles & tires , so that two axels and tires would support the trailer in the case of a blowout. No sense having to replace 3 tires on the side of the blowout, because two were overloaded when 1 failed. Same for the axles, if you loose a tire and bend the other axles from the overload , it's a very expensive flat.
So , if it was me and a 15,000 gvw trailer 7,500 pounds for each of the three axles.

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by Skip426

What are the capacities of the options?

JMHO: I've never done this but, I would think you would want to spec the axles & tires , so that two axels and tires would support the trailer in the case of a blowout. No sense having to replace 3 tires on the side of the blowout, because two were overloaded when 1 failed. Same for the axles, if you loose a tire and bend the other axles from the overload , it's a very expensive flat.
So , if it was me and a 15,000 gvw trailer 7,500 pounds for each of the three axles.

I don't believe your method is how axle capacity's are spec'ed out Skip, The trailer would not stay on the road, even loaded, and would ride terrible to say the least. Any axle will take the support of a blow out from the other axle till you get off the road to change it, maybe if you don't notice it in time.......the other tires may over heat.......A 5200# axle has quite a safety factor built in to it.
I am going to say 3 5200# torsion axles would do the job nicely for you, Do you plan on loading it to the max? 15,000#
As with any tire, if maintained properly and the age is watched, blow outs are few and far in between....

[Gordon Dewald]

Thanks for the information in spite of the lack of information.

The trailer has a spread tri-axle. Options are 6,000, 7,000 and 8,000 Dexter torsion axles.

I plan to load to about 14,100. Some of that is known and a bit is estimated. I plan to carry a SUV (4700), Gold Wing trike (1100), Gold Wing (900) Yamaha V-Star (600) and stuff (1000 +/-).

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

Thanks for the information in spite of the lack of information.

The trailer has a spread tri-axle. Options are 6,000, 7,000 and 8,000 Dexter torsion axles.

I plan to load to about 14,100. Some of that is known and a bit is estimated. I plan to carry a SUV (4700), Gold Wing trike (1100), Gold Wing (900) Yamaha V-Star (600) and stuff (1000 +/-).

What other information are you looking for Gordon? What are you lacking?
You are planning to haul under 15,000#, the trailer will have a 15,000# GVWR, tires and wheels to match the axle rating, with the 6,000# axles, you are well over the GVWR of the trailer.........

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

What other information are you looking for Gordon? What are you lacking?
You are planning to haul under 15,000#, the trailer will have a 15,000# GVWR, tires and wheels to match the axle rating, with the 6,000# axles, you are well over the GVWR of the trailer.........

I think I have received the answer I was looking for.

The doubt I had was loading the axles to near capacity. I am not familiar with the torsion axles so am wondering if one should have a "cushion" in case an axle was overloaded while going over a curb, etc.

Thanks everyone for providing sound advice.

[Skip426]

Apologies gentlemen; should have edited out my post as soon as I saw, palehorse's first reference to torsion axles.
I do know that installing over rated torsion axels is a no-no , DW's cousin's 5er left the factory with the wrong ones and they broke everything.