3500 pound versus 5200 pound axles on a LE2

[rich.dev]

15 minutes ago, John Dorrer said:

They have #1290, late 2022 or more likely a 2023 trailer. Our #1045 is a 2022. He needs to look at the label more closely, as it should say 052 capacity, rated 3500 (Due to 4-leaf springs).

Yup, I  just saw a previous post by @John and Debbie stating he saw the 3500lbs on the label and assumed that was for the axle. 

[jd1923]

If label is missing or hard to read, look at the backside of the wheels. If the drum brakes backing plate shows it is bolted on in a 4-bolt square pattern, you have 3500# axles and 10” brakes. If you see 5 bolts in a pentagon pattern, you have 5200# axles with 12” brakes. Good to check, just to be sure, in case of mis-labeling! 

Edited March 8 by jd1923

[John and Debbie]

8 hours ago, Trailblazers said:

i'm curious, approximately how much does the 5200 swap-out run?

Lew wrote back that it's 916.83 for each axle.

John

[Trailblazers]

15 minutes ago, John and Debbie said:

Lew wrote back that it's 916.83 for each axle.

John

Great, thank you! 

[jd1923]

57 minutes ago, John and Debbie said:

Lew wrote back that it's 916.83 for each axle.

John

If that’s left to right, new 12” brakes, bearings everything… that’s decent.

If that includes their installation labor that’s a very good price! 😂

[jdmmtx]

On 3/8/2025 at 7:59 PM, jd1923 said:

If that’s left to right, new 12” brakes, bearings everything… that’s decent.

If that includes their installation labor that’s a very good price! 😂

We are having them upgrade our axles to the 5200s when we are there for springs. Just for the record, the price has increased to $946.83 each and that does not include labor.

[routlaw]

This is the first I have heard of being able to use never lube bearings. I do have the 5200 lb axles just by luck as Oliver was out of the 3500 lb axles when building mine but did have some 5200 lb units. Is it possible to simply replace bearings on my setup with the never lubes or are their more complicated mods one has to do? Also while on this subject what is the advantage of adding more springs for a trailer that will never be carrying the max load? Seems to me this would make for a much stiffer ride for the trailer vs the 4 leaf springs. But what do I know:)

Thanks

[rideandfly]

2 hours ago, routlaw said:

This is the first I have heard of being able to use never lube bearings. I do have the 5200 lb axles just by luck as Oliver was out of the 3500 lb axles when building mine but did have some 5200 lb units. Is it possible to simply replace bearings on my setup with the never lubes or are their more complicated mods one has to do? Also while on this subject what is the advantage of adding more springs for a trailer that will never be carrying the max load? Seems to me this would make for a much stiffer ride for the trailer vs the 4 leaf springs. But what do I know:)

Thanks

We have 5200lb axles with 5 leaf spring packs on our LE-2 #75,  probably like your Ollie. Some folks here have had one leaf of the Dexter 4 leaf spring pack (3500lb) to break, covered in another thread. Not aware of any of the Dexter 5 leaf spring packs having issues, yet.

Here's the 12" brake drum on our 5200 pound axle with "Me-Pack" 🙃 axle bearings, I will continue packing my bearings so I can inspect brakes, drums and bearings during service. A few here have upgraded to disc brakes, very nice modification!

Here's the original 5 leaf Dexter spring pack on our #75 Ollie 5200lb axle and spare Dexter 5 leaf pack before installing bronze bushings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 7 by rideandfly

[jd1923]

6 hours ago, jdmmtx said:

We are having them upgrade our axles to the 5200s when we are there for springs. Just for the record, the price has increased to $946.83 each and that does not include labor.

Thanks for this info, now up $30 in just two months. I did not think labor was included, but it read that way and no reply was offered. Is that everything left-to-right? (axle, brake assemblies with drums) Must be 12" brakes with Nev-R-Lube bearings?

You should be very happy with your upgrade. Just going from 10" to 12" brakes alone is a great improvement along with everything else. Best wishes and let us know re your experience afterwards.

[Geronimo John]

On 3/8/2025 at 7:59 PM, jd1923 said:

Lew wrote back that it's 916.83 for each axle.

John

What springs are they using on the axle upgrades?  I hope it is not the Dexter 1750 rated ones.

GJ

PS:  Had a great time at the Rally!  Good to meet many of our forum users and a few new owners.  

[topgun2]

32 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

PS:  Had a great time at the Rally!  Good to meet many of our forum users and a few new owners.  

I'm so sorry to have missed this year's Rally and missed meeting you.  Hopefully we'll have a chance out there on the road someday and/or at a future Rally.

Bill

[Patriot]

54 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

What springs are they using on the axle upgrades?  I hope it is not the Dexter 1750 rated ones.

GJ

PS:  Had a great time at the Rally!  Good to meet many of our forum users and a few new owners.  

GJ, great meeting you at the rally. I wish we could have spent more time talking Oliver TT! Glad you made the rally. 
 

Patriot 🇺🇸