goducks10
Keizer OR
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Just got off the phone with the parts guy at Lippert. I was trying to find out what #'s I needed for the bearings and seals for the 4400lb axles I have. Couldn't find any part #'s for 4400lb axles on the Lippert site so I called them. The Axles are rated at 4400lbs, with 10" hubs and have 3500lb axle bearings on them. Same bearing #'s (L68149, L44649) you would use if your buying bearings for any 3500lb axle. Seems weird to me, but just wondering if it's normal to have bearings that fit 3500lb axles on 4400lb axles. I'm not an engineer, so I don't know if the bearings are capable of carrying more if the axle is built to higher standards or what. Any engineers out there?
FWIW my TT has a dry sticker weight of 6189lbs, loaded around 7200lbs and GVW of 8400lbs. I'm hoping this isn't just cheap engineering and is just normal.
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midwest
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Edited. I misread what you said. I take back what I posted !
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Huntindog
phoenix arizona USA
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goducks10 wrote:Just got off the phone with the parts guy at Lippert. I was trying to find out what #'s I needed for the bearings and seals for the 4400lb axles I have. Couldn't find any part #'s for 4400lb axles on the Lippert site so I called them. The Axles are rated at 4400lbs, with 10" hubs and have 3500lb axle bearings on them. Same bearing #'s (L68149, L44649) you would use if your buying bearings for any 3500lb axle. Seems weird to me, but just wondering if it's normal to have bearings that fit 3500lb axles on 4400lb axles. I'm not an engineer, so I don't know if the bearings are capable of carrying more if the axle is built to higher standards or what. Any engineers out there?
FWIW my TT has a dry sticker weight of 6189lbs, loaded around 7200lbs and GVW of 8400lbs. I'm hoping this isn't just cheap engineering and is just normal.
Yes it is normal for some parts to interchange between differently rated components. It is often cheaper than having totally different parts.
In your case basically the bearings are good for at least 4400#. So the 3500# axles have heavier than needed bearings.
Perusing the part numbers can be enlightening.
My TT axles are rated for 5200#. Looking at the part numbers for the 5200# axles and the 6000# axles reveals that the only difference is the spring pack. The 6000# axles have an additional leaf. This type of info can be useful if one wants to to upgrade economically.
Huntindog
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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Huntindog
"In your case basically the bearings are good for at least 4400#. So the 3500# axles have heavier than needed bearings."
My axles are 4400lbs and the bearings are from 3500lb axles. Just wondering if the bearings are a weak link in the system.
"
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mosseater
Dillsburg, PA
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Huntindog wrote:goducks10 wrote:Just got off the phone with the parts guy at Lippert. I was trying to find out what #'s I needed for the bearings and seals for the 4400lb axles I have. Couldn't find any part #'s for 4400lb axles on the Lippert site so I called them. The Axles are rated at 4400lbs, with 10" hubs and have 3500lb axle bearings on them. Same bearing #'s (L68149, L44649) you would use if your buying bearings for any 3500lb axle. Seems weird to me, but just wondering if it's normal to have bearings that fit 3500lb axles on 4400lb axles. I'm not an engineer, so I don't know if the bearings are capable of carrying more if the axle is built to higher standards or what. Any engineers out there?
FWIW my TT has a dry sticker weight of 6189lbs, loaded around 7200lbs and GVW of 8400lbs. I'm hoping this isn't just cheap engineering and is just normal.
Yes it is normal for some parts to interchange between differently rated components. It is often cheaper than having totally different parts.
In your case basically the bearings are good for at least 4400#. So the 3500# axles have heavier than needed bearings.
Perusing the part numbers can be enlightening.
My TT axles are rated for 5200#. Looking at the part numbers for the 5200# axles and the 6000# axles reveals that the only difference is the spring pack. The 6000# axles have an additional leaf. This type of info can be useful if one wants to to upgrade economically.
+1.
An example is the F-150 hitch receivers are all the same part, only the label is changed to reflect the different truck configurations and ratings that each one is mounted on. I suspect it's the same for other mfg's receivers also. It's an economy-of-scale-type-thing. Cheaper to make just one which will cover several applications. Axles and other widgets get the same treatment when it makes sense.
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Huntindog
phoenix arizona USA
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goducks10 wrote:Huntindog
"In your case basically the bearings are good for at least 4400#. So the 3500# axles have heavier than needed bearings."
My axles are 4400lbs and the bearings are from 3500lb axles. Just wondering if the bearings are a weak link in the system.
"
I wouldn't say that. Your axles have well matched components.
NO weak links, but nothing over built either.
Nothing to worry about.
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phillyg
Front Royal, VA
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Not a problem. I'm guessing your axles are actually made by Al-Ko, not Lippert. I think I have a similar set-up where 4400lb axles were "downgraded" by the trailer mfgr., in my case Keystone, to 3500lbs. I have no idea why Keystone felt it necessary to do so unless it was to allow them to put cheaper wheels/tires on the rig. Bottom line is my Al-Ko axles are really 4400lb, and if I wanted to, I could upgrade to 16" wheels/tires because the axle can handle them. If you're having trouble identifying parts, try e-trailer.com. They have very knowledgeable people and helped me identify replacement Dexter parts for my Al-Ko axles. Al-Ko's website was of no help.
2002 Keystone Cougar 286, 8,400lbs loaded, pulled with a 2004 F150 Supercrew, 5.4, 3.73 gears. Retired and enjoying life
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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Well I guess I'll run the wheels off it. Thanks for the responses. I guess the good thing is that the bearings are really common and easy to find.
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Paceslave
USA
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I have the same 4400 lb axle with 3500 lb wheel bearings.
We were just hauled in on a flatbed because the bearing
Failed. No forest river dealer could get it in so we had it taken to
A axle shop. Repaired at our expense because it was not taken to
A forest river dealer. I gues we should have camped out in there
Parking lot enstead of going on vacation.
I was floored when the formen told me that those bearings were for
A 3500 lb axle. Not only that but two months ago he had a guy with
The same trailer as mine come in and have both axles replaced after
Catching fire twice. Of course at his expence. We bought our campers
Within weeks of each other but he has put alot more miles on his.
1999 Chevy suburban 2500
2012 Primetime lacrosse
About 1500 mile on it so far.
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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Paceslave wrote:I have the same 4400 lb axle with 3500 lb wheel bearings.
We were just hauled in on a flatbed because the bearing
Failed. No forest river dealer could get it in so we had it taken to
A axle shop. Repaired at our expense because it was not taken to
A forest river dealer. I gues we should have camped out in there
Parking lot enstead of going on vacation.
I was floored when the formen told me that those bearings were for
A 3500 lb axle. Not only that but two months ago he had a guy with
The same trailer as mine come in and have both axles replaced after
Catching fire twice. Of course at his expence. We bought our campers
Within weeks of each other but he has put alot more miles on his.
1999 Chevy suburban 2500
2012 Primetime lacrosse
About 1500 mile on it so far.
Wow, sorry to hear about that. Now I'm thinking it's a cost cutting move by Lippert. Out of curiosity what weight are you towing? I'm at 7200lbs, so I guess I'm borderline. Dang doesn't do much for my confidence. I think I will be giving Heartland a call. FWIW I have about 4000 miles on mine.
* This post was
edited 06/07/12 11:46pm by goducks10 *
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