Frequently Asked Questions
Additional information to create clarity.
View Categories
General
The E-Z Lube option was designed specifically for the marine application where the axles are constantly being immersed in water. This feature provides a convenient method for purging the water from the hub cavity without having to pull the hub every time. The hubs should be removed every 12 months or 12,000 miles to inspect the bearings and it is imperative to replace the seal at this time to assure that the grease does not leak out the back onto the brake linings rendering the brakes non-functional.
No, the E-Z Lube option requires a specially controlled machining operation to drill the holes in the spindles to provide the grease path from the end of the spindle to the inner bearing.
Aluminum wheels are thicker through the mounting bolt area and may not leave enough stud length for proper nut engagement. Consult the wheel manufacturer for stud length and mounting face requirements and wheel nut torque.
The hitch weight for conventional, bumper type hitches should be 10-14% of the gross weight of the vehicle. The remaining 86-90% of the load will be carried on the running gear. The hitch weight for 5th wheel and goose-neck type trailers should be 15-20% of the gross weight of the vehicle, with the remaining 80-85% of the load being carried on the running gear.
No, the two bearings were moved closer together and combined into a single sealed cartridge with only one spindle journal size. This required different spindle and hub-drum designs to accommodate the Nev-R-Lube cartridge. In order to upgrade to this option it will require purchasing new axles, hubs-drums, and possibly new wheels. The Nev-R-Lube option can only be used with certain wheel offsets.
Dexter offers an over/under conversion kit for leaf spring axles. The two different kits available are K71-384-00 for axles with 2-3/8" diameter tube and K71-385-00 for axles with 3" diameter tube. Please note that these conversion kits CANNOT be used with reinforced spring seats. Additionally, changing the spring mounting from under-slung to over-slung (or vice versa) will change the trailer frame height and change the center of gravity of the trailer. This may affect the towing characteristics of the trailer.
The hitch weight for conventional, bumper type hitches should be 10% to 14% of the gross weight of the vehicle. The remaining 86% to 90% of the load will be carried on the running gear. The hitch weight for 5th wheel and goose-neck type trailers should be 15% to 20% of the gross weight of the vehicle. The remaining 80% to 85% of the load will be carried on the running gear.
The Dexter Nev-R-Lube bearings are a sealed bearing cartridge that never requires repacking with grease. However, they still need to be inspected every 12 months or 12,000 miles and can be done during your normal brake maintenance inspection process.
Dexter recommends that you do not jack up the trailer on the suspension components because there is always the potential for damage. Bent hangers, leaf springs, or axle tubes can cause bad axle alignment with bad tire wear resulting. Also, many trailer builders do not use Dexter hangers and we have no idea how strong these hangers may or may not be. Therefore, we take the conservative approach and recommend jacking up only on the trailer frame.
Hub-piloted wheels have a center hole machined to a close tolerance and are intended to mate with a hub having a properly sized pilot diameter. The bolt holes will be bored or stamped straight through the center disc which is designed to be fastened with either flanged nuts or a clamp ring using cone nuts.
Stud-piloted wheels have a center hole which provides clearance to the hub nose. The bolt holes feature a tapered seat designed for clamping with properly matched cone nuts. The cone angle of the nut must match the cone angle around the bolt hole of the center disc. Failure to properly match these components will result in catastrophic wheel loss.
Stud-piloted wheels have a center hole which provides clearance to the hub nose. The bolt holes feature a tapered seat designed for clamping with properly matched cone nuts. The cone angle of the nut must match the cone angle around the bolt hole of the center disc. Failure to properly match these components will result in catastrophic wheel loss.
Wheels and tires must be matched. The wheel will have a label stating its rim diameter, width and contour. The tire selected must be approved by the Tire and Rim Association for use on that particular size wheel. The tire capacity selected should not exceed the capacity rating of the wheel. The tire inflation pressure must not exceed the pressure rating of the wheel. WARNING - The use of tires that are not approved for use on a wheel could result in explosive separation of the tire and wheel and could cause a serious accident.
Dexter Axle genuine replacement parts are available through an international network of authorized distributors. Use our online Distributor Locator to locate a Dexter Distributor near you.
Dexter parts can also be ordered factory-direct from our facility in Albion, Indiana. To order direct, contact the Order Entry department at (260) 636-5311.
Trailer wheels carry substantially more weight than tow vehicle wheels of the same size and see more disc flexing due to side loading stresses. It is necessary to re-torque them several times until the wheel nut torque stabilizes. This is especially true for new wheels that need to have the paint worn away at the hub mounting face and under the wheel nuts.
WARNING: Be very careful to use only the recommended wheel fastening torque amount as specified for that wheel and fastener. It is possible to permanently damage a wheel that has been over torqued and may cause the loss of that wheel from the trailer.
WARNING: Be very careful to use only the recommended wheel fastening torque amount as specified for that wheel and fastener. It is possible to permanently damage a wheel that has been over torqued and may cause the loss of that wheel from the trailer.