RV Axle Upgrade: Is It Worth It?

The TrailerSmith swaps these 3500 lb RV axles for 6K axles. Does it change the GVWR for the RV? Watch the video to find out.
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[@poundsonwood]

If you ever get a chance to do a fifth wheel lift job, for example so an older fifth wheel can match up to a new truck, please be sure to do a video. Interested in the options such as fabricating a lift sub-frame, or lift blocks, axle flip, etc. But mostly I would like to see the sub-frame fab and install.

[@rockbottomracingmarcandlinda]

I have a 24' enclosed car hauler. I ordered it with 5200 lb. axles. I changed the tires to E rated tires. That helped me a lot.

[@vinniedellasperanza8230]

Are there any alignment issues that must be addressed during install or is it just assumed that the axles are properly aligned once everything is bolted up ?

[@bernardstevens3613]

I like the axle upgrade, but I was surprised that you didn't reinforce the spring mounts! (Are you concerned with the terrible design of the spring mounts? - just 1 of my many things I check on my RV!) Thanks for an Informative Video!

[@swayme67]

These are fantastic videos, thank you SO much for creating this content!

[@daryn_Canada_1066]

We have a small enclosed trailer, 2,000lbs. I bought a 3,500lbs axle with brakes. We never overload it but wanted brakes on the trailer. We put Goodyear Endurance tires on it last year. I pull it with a Tundra Crew Max. I don't really feel the trailer but we have a 5 hour trip. I watch almost every video. I learned how to burnish my new trailer brakes with your video. I always tighten the lug nuts and verify max air pressure every trip. I will check the adjustment on the brakes before I drive home. It doesn't take long to check the air pressure, lug nuts, all the spring bolts etc. Family is worth all the time. Failure to prepare means your prepared to fail. Great job on all your videos, Never had any videos I could not hear.

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Great point! Safety is everything. Thanks for watching!

[@RussLittlejohn]

Thanks for the video. Where is your business? I will probably need this service in the next year.

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Hi! We are in north Texas.

[@meseahunt]

good video EXCEPT for the poor decision to not use new wet bolts/cop bushings all around?????????? makes NO sense??? 🤠

[@BrianFox]

New axles $1,200.00. new tires $800.00. Rewire brakes $50.00. A professional how knows what he is doing....PRICELESS... Note: the prices in this comment are fictional. I have no Idea what this costs nor do I care. The fact that it was done right is the point......

[@kevincameron8437]

Good explanation for the suspension upgrade. I am curious though as to why the customer didn't upgrade the wet bolt shackle system..like the CRE3000. I think that would have been money well spent. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@TraconWizard]

Even if they didn't want to spend $ buying the kit, just buy wet bolts.

[@BlackGoldAcademy]

Thanks for explaining the GVWR question. What do you think of Sumo Springs between the axle and frame? I installed these on my toy hauler and blown away with the performance, on a relatively cheap upgrade, thus a huge fan. However, I’ve seen some folks say it can lead to frame flexing where they make contact. Your thoughts? Do you have a video talking about the different products to deal with chucking?

[@jaybrooks2502]

We just finished doing this to a food trailer. They were way overloaded.

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

I noticed you didn't upgrade the equalizer. Do you feel that they make a difference?

[@keithpayne8943]

Great info. Thanks again. Interesting to see how the axle is changed.

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Thanks for watching!

[@haymaker3046]

@the trailersmith do you sell those retrofit plates? I’m planning to upgrade my utility trailer to a 3” axle beam. According to Lippert - I can purchase just the axle beam and reuse my current hubs as they are the same

[@mattkaminski6618]

Do you have a business contact information? We have a travel trailer and want to look at possibly having some suspension work done.

[@olds4423]

Problem is there a good way to get my double axel with the passenger front tire off home

[@smplyizzy]

Love the half ass trailer wiring, lol. Trash

[@paulrosa6762]

Thanks for the time spent learning me!

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Glad I could help! Thanks for watching!

[@ricklong3218]

I have 3500# axles on mine and 3 of the 4 springs are FLAT and all need replaced. The 2 on driver side have been rubbing the frame above the tires at some point here and there. I plan to try 2000# springs, instead of the 1750#, first to see if they hold up better. These things are built to the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM they can get away with! Not looking to increase GVWR just make parts last longer and hold up better 🙄

[@professionalinspectionserv9468]

Upgrading your axles then will reduce your payload...

[@charlesb4267]

I assume you are referring to the increased physical weight of the 6000 lb axle ?. Going across a scale will certainly show the increased weight, however the axles and wheels/tires are not physically adding weight/stress to the trailers weight carrying structure ( the frame ) as they are seen as unsprung weight. So the reality comes down to the law weighing the trailer and claiming its over weight for example but physically the trailer is no more stressed with the new axles vs the old ones ( as long as the new springs are not too stiff ... as that will stress the trailer structure more when hitting bumps ). Sadly there is no winning when it comes to most RV trailers as so many of them are bordering on being a pile of poor quality junk the moment they roll off the assembly line !.

[@jsigmon57]

Another great video. I have a similar setup where I would like to have the extra piece of mind. How expensive is this modification? Thanks.

[@johndias6614]

Could you talk about mobile home axles. I have 6 left over from when my manufactured home was installed. I have a buddy that wants to build a car hauler with 2 of these.

[@nealcoppola9963]

Are you a Fan of upgrages to the Equalizer ? And I assume you balance all tires. Great Video !!

[@haymaker3046]

I want to upgrade the axle on my utility trailer. From a 3500 to 4400 or higher.

[@charlesb4267]

I am only assuming since it wasn't as if I had a close look at the new axles, are they manufactured with the slight bend in the center of the axle to counteract the load stress so that in theory the tire ends up riding along the ground flat vs having a positive or negative camber. Having said that, upgraded axles won't flex like the original units and could result in a little more positive camber then desired and tend to wear the outer tread surface. What has your experience been in this regard as an upgraded axle swap accumulated some miles to see how the tires were wearing ?

[@TheBuddy1939]

Good heads up on the trailer height. Several inches could make a difference in preventing in buying a new garage door

[@poundsonwood]

Real shame the customer did not do an equalizer upgrade and a wet bolt kit. There will never be a better time to do it.

[@918scott4]

So much education in 18 minutes

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Thanks for watching!

[@markcadwallender3483]

are sorry 46 videos with no sound

[@ProleDaddy]

All those numbers 😮

[@brandonkelsey4676]

Great video and information

[@mikeadler434]

👍👍

[@markcadwallender3483]

first 26 videos no sound. what a waste

[@TheTrailerSmith]

There’s sound. It’s just one sided. We had an issue with our mics we didn’t know we were having. We thought we had it figured it out each time we did a new video. That’s just part of being new and learning the ropes. You should be able to hear it out of the left side if you are listening through headphones or ear buds. You can hear it through the speaker if you listen without the headphones. Not a waste. A learning curve for us and it’s still valuable info for those who want to listen.

[@MJCART-be9nb]

Now you know what it's like to be deaf. A picture is worth a thousand words, a video with no sound is priceless. Watch and learn.