Upgrade Dexter leaf spring axles

[corn18]

I replaced the 4 leaf spring packs with 6 leaf to raise the 5er a couple inches. That worked and to be honest, the 4 leaf were flat as pancakes and seemed undersized to me anyway.

When I consulted everyone on here when doing that, I vaguely remember someone mentioning I should upgrade the hubs/bearings as well. Well, now I want to do that.

I looked at the Dexter parts catalogue and it appears the hub/rotor assembly is different between the 5200 lbs and 6000 lbs axles. Also the 6000 lbs axles have 15123 outer bearings but the same inner bearings.

My question: do I need new hub/rotors or just the new 15123 bearing?

And to be clear, I am 900 lbs under on axle ratings with a fully loaded trailer. I do not want to increase the axle ratings. I just want margin. If the bearings are working as hard as the 4 leaf packs, that doesn't sit well with me.

 

[Odyknuck]

Dexter uses the same axle for 5200, 6000 and 7000# applications. The inner bearing is the same for all 3. The outer bearing OD increases to handle the additional weight however the ID remains the same. The leaf springs increase in weight capacity to accommodate the upgrade along with tires and rims.
I am in the process of converting my 6000# 6 lug drum brakes to 8 lug 7000# Disc brakes and everything bolted up just fine.

BTW I have my 6K parts including 6 lug rims with hi pressure metal valve stems if your interested. I would make you a great deal on them.

 

[corn18]

Dexter uses the same axle for 5200, 6000 and 7000# applications. The inner bearing is the same for all 3. The outer bearing OD increases to handle the additional weight however the ID remains the same. The leaf springs increase in weight capacity to accommodate the upgrade along with tires and rims.
I am in the process of converting my 6000# 6 lug drum brakes to 8 lug 7000# Disc brakes and everything bolted up just fine.

Thanks! So can I just replace the outer bearing and cup with the 15123 in my current hub? Or do I need a new hub as well? Seems like the hubs are the same and it's a lot cheaper to just replace the outer bearing.

 

[Odyknuck]

Ok, first off I take it you want to upgrade to 6000 setup. If so the brake drum/hub on the 5200 are 5 lug 10" drum and the 6000 is a 6 lug 12" drum, so no on replacing the bearing only.

 

[corn18]

Ok, first off I take it you want to upgrade to 6000 setup. If so the brake drum/hub on the 5200 are 5 lug 10" drum and the 6000 is a 6 lug 12" drum, so no on replacing the bearing only.

I’m standing here looking at my wheels right now and they are 6 lug.

 

[Mr. Dan]

Ok, first off I take it you want to upgrade to 6000 setup. If so the brake drum/hub on the 5200 are 5 lug 10" drum and the 6000 is a 6 lug 12" drum, so no on replacing the bearing only.

My 5200 lb. axles are 6 lug with 12”x2” drums.

 

[corn18]

My 5200 lb. axles are 6 lug with 12”x2” drums.

What's weird is the sticker on my trailer says the GAWR is 5100 lbs each. The Castle Rock tires that came with the trailer are rated 3,527 each (7,052 per axle). The Dexter axles are rated 5200 lbs each. Wonder where they got the 5100 lbs GAWR? Maybe they were different in 2019 when the trailer was built.


Like I said earlier, I am not looking to increase the GAWR of the axles. I'm fine with what is on the sticker and can easily stay within that. Just don't want 5,000 lbs on a 5100 lbs axle. I would much rather have 5000 lbs on a 6000 lbs axle.

 

[D W]

Dexter 5200 and 6000 axles have 12x2 brakes, and are 6 lug hubs with the exception of the odd 6000 axle which has a 5 lug demountable hub.

 

[corn18]

Dexter 5200 and 6000 axles have 12x2 brakes, and are 6 lug hubs with the exception of the odd 6000 axle which has a 5 lug demountable hub.

My desire would be to simply get a bearing kit for all four axles and put in 15123 outer bearings and cups. Heck, maybe they already have 15123 outer bearings on them.

 

[Odyknuck]

Its possible that the 5100 GAWR is based on the leaf springs supplied on the trailer.

 

[corn18]

Its possible that the 5100 GAWR is based on the leaf springs supplied on the trailer.

Could be, although neither Dexter nor Lippert make 2550 lbs 4 leaf springs. They are all 2600 lbs 4 leaf for double eye.

 

[corn18]

Could be, although neither Dexter nor Lippert make 2550 lbs 4 leaf springs. They are all 2600 lbs 4 leaf for double eye.

Found a pic of my axle sticker. Seems the Dexter D52 that FR used in 2019 is a 5100 lbs axle. Even though all other D52 axles are 5200 lbs (hence the 52 in D52). Weird.

 

[corn18]

I have a set of Timken 15123 and 25580 with races on the way from Rock Auto. Will see if they fit later this week.

 

[corn18]

Confirmed I have LM67408 outer bearings and 15123 outer bearings will not fit. The 15245 race is a larger diameter. So I am just going to replace all the races and bearings with Timken and be happy.


BTW, RockAuto has the best prices on Timken bearings.

 

[corn18]

UPDATE from OP


I just replaced my hubs with 6000 lbs hubs. So now I have 6000 lbs spring and 6000 lbs hubs. Lots of margin. I'm happy.