When a wheel bearing fails or an axle is damaged, ordering by trailer brand alone may not get you the right part. Record the measurements and specifications below before shopping.
Safety first: Never tow a trailer with a missing wheel, failed bearing, damaged spindle or suspect axle. Secure the trailer against rolling and use properly rated supports. Have damage inspected before returning it to service.
1. Identify your axle type
Torsion axle: Rubber suspension elements inside the axle tube and a trailing arm at each wheel. Leaf-spring axle: Springs and hangers support the axle. These mount differently and are not automatically interchangeable.
2. Look for the axle identification tag
Check the axle tube, near the center or ends, and around mounting brackets for a stamped plate or sticker. Record the manufacturer, serial number, capacity and any part number. Old tags may be missing or unreadable.
3. Record these dimensions
Hub-face to hub-face: Distance between the wheel-mounting faces of the hubs, not the tire outside edges.
Spring center: For leaf-spring axles, center-to-center of spring seats.
Torsion bracket spacing: Record bracket center-to-center across the trailer, plus each bracket's fore-aft bolt spacing and hole pattern.
Axle tube: Note tube shape and size, but do not infer load capacity from tube size alone.
Hub and brakes: Lug count and bolt circle, brake type and size, bearing/seal part numbers where available.
Torsion orientation: Mounting orientation, start angle, arm length and ride height as specified by the manufacturer.
4. Confirm the rated capacity
Find the trailer's certification label and axle ratings. A six-lug hub does not prove an axle's capacity. Verify GAWR, axle rating, tire/wheel capacity and brake compatibility.
5. Verify before ordering
Send the axle manufacturer or supplier photos of the old assembly, mounting brackets, trailer label and your measurement sheet. Ask them to confirm compatibility in writing, especially on multi-axle trailers where ride height and load sharing matter.
Important: Backing-plate-to-backing-plate is not the same as hub-face width. Likewise, the distance across the outside of the trailer is not a substitute for the mounting dimensions. Don't order from a single measurement.