6 lug vs 5 lug

[bongo]

Hello Airstream Tribe
I'm restoring a 61 Overlander Land Yacht and am at the point where I'm going to order axles. I currently have 6 lug wheels and the axles and assembly all seem to be original. So my question for you guys is can I just order 3500 lb axles and go with 5 lug wheels or do I have to go back with the 5500 lb and 6 lug wheels. It just seems like two 5500's are way overkill.
Thoughts?


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[JimGolden]

Bongo,

Make sure the lighter axles have the larger brakes. What most folks generally recommend is getting the heavier axles, but have them "derated" (the factory will put in shorter rubber rods so they have the same spring rate as a lighter axle). That way you get the big brakes, heavier tubes, but the proper spring rate.

Best of luck,

[batman]

I think Dexter will custom build almost any thing you want. 4500 lb, Electric drum or disc brakes, 2"lift, etc.

[wkerfoot]

You must be ordering Dexter axles. It is my understanding that Dexter will not make a 3500 lb axle with 12" brakes, but you can order 10" brakes with 6 lug wheels. This would eliminate you having to purchase new wheels.

Axis will make 3500 lb axles with 12" brakes. I ordered two sets last year.

Bill

Originally Posted by bongo

Hello Airstream Tribe
I'm restoring a 61 Overlander Land Yacht and am at the point where I'm going to order axles. I currently have 6 lug wheels and the axles and assembly all seem to be original. So my question for you guys is can I just order 3500 lb axles and go with 5 lug wheels or do I have to go back with the 5500 lb and 6 lug wheels. It just seems like two 5500's are way overkill.
Thoughts?


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[Action]

Also look at the load rating on the wheels. Are 5 lug wheels rated for less load or under 2600 pounds?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Hummer]

When I talked to the engineer at Dexter he recommended 5200 lb that comes standard with 12" brakes. I already had the new six lug wheels thusly I was stuck with ordering six lug axles.

Had I known the 3500 factory axles were shot when I got the new tires/rims I would have completely changed out to 8 lug 16" wheels and they would have been interchangeable with GMC2500 HD wheels.

At any rate this is what I wound up with and could not be more please with the ride and control I am getting.

[TG Twinkie]

IMHO 5,200# axles are way too heavy for your rig. What is the GVWR of the coach? Can't imagine it being more than 7,000#. Don't forget, the TV carries some of the trailer weight. Also the axles don't carry their own weight, just the tires and rims. So that is at least 350# that the axle doesn't carry add the tongue weight of 750# (estimate) and you are 1,000# below the capacity of 2 3500# axles.
I think it will ride really hard with 10.4K axles.


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[r carl]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

IMHO 5,200# axles are way too heavy for your rig. What is the GVWR of the coach? Can't imagine it being more than 7,000#. Don't forget, the TV carries some of the trailer weight. Also the axles don't carry their own weight, just the tires and rims. So that is at least 350# that the axle doesn't carry add the tongue weight of 750# (estimate) and you are 1,000# below the capacity of 2 3500# axles.
I think it will ride really hard with 10.4K axles.


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You will have to put in springs to match the load.

[Del Gurney]

Hi Bongo:
5,500? Really? My '65 had two ea. @ 2,750Lb., miss-matched tires and "suicide wheels" when I got it.
After much deliberation and advice from local axel shop I ordered (and just installed)
two ea 3,300Lb axels with 15' breaks and 5 lugs. (I have to get new tires and wheels any way).
I'll get steel wheels and D rated tires based on their advice next as soon as I install the Eddie Bauer well trim over new exterior shell sides and alum. wheel wells.
My new interior is going to be very light compared to the original so weight is no concern.

[woodfox45]

If you ever go to 16" wheels you will need 6 lug hubs you can get 6 lug 10" brakes from Dexter , My steel wheels that I took off were only rated for 55lbs.PSI alloy wheels are rated much higher .

[Hummer]

guys please read

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f437...ke-133219.html

Look at the stuff on the tables that did not fall off on the trip to town and back and the roads around here have pot holes, dips etc.

I leave for Nashville and 800 mile trip next Wednesday. The ride has never been this smooth as it is now.

With the rough ride warnings I have a trailer I have been pulling since 1978, original axles were from mobile home, wore them out. Replaced the double mobile home axes with a SINGLE 8000 lb torsion bar axle about 1996 and it runs 10 ply Transport 110s on two piece rims. Trailer now is about 1100 pounds. I just hauled a 800 lb generator from Ft. Bragg about 300 miles 800 lb load on 8000 lb axle. I use it all the time with two TVs, don't break anything.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...-133041-2.html

[Hummer]

Here is the rig with 8000 lb axle. The 2 piece rims were made in 75, the tires made circa 1985. I kept the two piece rims when I changed out to single wheels about 1984 when it got to the point it was hard to find a tire dealer than wanted to mess with them. Last two I bought I had to take to truck stop to get them mounted and I said that was it, I was going one piece wheels.