One easy way to do it is to just swap out the hubs. Find out what bearings you have on your trailer, 1 and 1/16" x 1 and 3/8" are pretty common. If
that is what you have then just get 5 lug replacement hubs and install them. To be clear just match the new hubs to the hubs you have but get 5 lug
instead of the 4 lug you have now. Much easier that replacing the whole axle.
Larrydtbushpilot - 10-21-2014 at 10:15 AM
X2 what Larry said. If you take one of your hubs to FE or another trailer place they can probably fix you up. You'll probably want to replace bearings
as well so bring the bearing race from the spindle with you in case they need it for sizing.bajabuddha - 10-21-2014 at 10:56 AM
Just a suggestion, before you swap lugs low-crawl and find the GVW of the axle pipe that's on it, and weigh your boat. If your axle is sufficient,
swap hubs. I found out the hard way on my 5th wheel that they build things substandardly these days (NO!) and put the least amount of bang for the
buck underneath; my unit weighed almost 9k, and had two-3500 lb. axles. Cost me two sets of tires, as there's no warranty on trailer tires. Good
hint to all RV owners out there too.cj5orion - 10-21-2014 at 01:58 PM
Soooo...?
Jus a nut n a big hammer to get the hub offKaceyJ - 10-21-2014 at 03:00 PM
Try Aros Trailer / John Deere on Marshal right off the 8 in El Cajon.
Good service , fair prices and very knowledgeable.
They can build /swap just about anything and usually have an extensive set of parts ( hubs/ bearings/ spindles/ brakes/ etc/) ready to go
Talk to Scott or Emilio
kclarryC - 10-22-2014 at 08:34 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by cj5orion
Soooo...?
Jus a nut n a big hammer to get the hub off
If your old hubs aren't rusted on then you shouldn't need a hammer. Just remove the dust cover/bearing buddy then remove the cotter key, then the nut
and the whole thing should slide off with the bearings and seal in the hub.
YMWV
Larrycj5orion - 10-22-2014 at 08:37 AM
yep...thats what I thought.
probably rusted on though,soooo BFH ! larryC - 10-22-2014 at 08:46 AM
Well you gotta do what ya gotta do. BFH it is.
Larry
Replace 4 lug with 5 lug
jaymtb - 10-25-2014 at 10:20 PM
The advice about checking axle weight capacity is good.
Also, if you need to replace the spindle and/or axle, I would consider an EZ Lube spindle, which is drilled to pass grease from the outer zerk
(under a rubber dust cover) to the back side of the INNER bearing. This allows fresh grease to be pumped thru both bearings with just a grease
gun.
With a 5 lug, you can use 14", or better yet, 15" wheels/ tires- if there is plenty of tire clearance. I have had poor luck with ST trailer
tires, and have switched to using LT rated truck/RV tires on trailers for rough roads, which are available in at least one 14" size and many 15"
sizes.
Another dimension to check is the amount of dish on replacement wheels, to make sure tires run in the same place and do not run outside or too far
inside of fenders.
Trailer brakes are a whole other matter that come up with heavier trailers.
A trailer specialty shop is a good place to get this all done.
