How can you tell which way a trailer axle goes?

[rockis hopperis]

I am building my trailer and without pulling the drums, how do you know which was is suppose to point to the front? I know that brakes only work one way on trailers so I need to know.

[brimy311]

Unless you have "back free" brakes, then it would not matter. But if you think you have back free brakes, you will have to open the drums and see.

[rockis hopperis]

Unless you have "back free" brakes, then it would not matter. But if you think you have back free brakes, you will have to open the drums and see.

So when I pull the drum and look it should be the short pad forward - correct?

[brimy311]

if they are just standard electic brakes, they will be exactly the same on both sides.

[Benny]

There IS a left and right on standard axles. They should be marked L and R on the backing plate. The wire (going into the backing plate) will also be behind the tube, not in front.

[brimy311]

both of the sets of axles I have used to build trailers have not been marked. And when you take them apart, they are exactly semtrical(sp?) side to side.

[BlueAngel]

I have dexter axles, and when building my trailer I asked the trailer shop where I bought my axles and they said they go either way. I put them so that the electric brake wires come out behind the axles.

[rockis hopperis]

Here is a link http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1080235/f/Identifying_Brakes.pdf showing that trailer brakes are directional assuming dexter axles knows there axles. :D

[brimy311]

that is weird. The axles under my trailer are complete semetrical. Same parts on both sides. They are not dexter axles.

looks like you need to open them up and find out.

[BlueAngel]

Here is a link http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1080235/f/Identifying_Brakes.pdf showing that trailer brakes are directional assuming dexter axles knows there axles. :D

Yikes... Glad I put mine on the right way :shaking:

[Trailer Guy]

It does matter what way you have the axles, this will face the brakes in the correct direction. It doesn't matter if you have electric brakes or hydro. brakes, there are specific sides that they are made for. On electric brakes the easiest thing to look at are the actuating arms. Those are the arms the magnets are attached to. The arm should curve forward towards the front of the trailer. Hydro. brakes are a little tougher to tell, but the smaller shoe should be towards the front of the trailer. The axle itself has to be faced in the correct direction. If your tube has a camber in it, make sure the bend points up. I know that sounds basic, but I get asked that question by people every day at my shop. Also, if the axle has wires running through it for the electric brakes, face the holes the wires are running through towards the rear of the trailer. This will help to prevent so much water getting in them and rusting them out fast. Also take the time to put some silicone right there to help seal the holes. I build a lot of trailers and do a ton of service work in my shop, so I don't know everything about trailers, but I know a few basics. Hope this helps, if you need more specific help, PM me and I'll do what ever I can.

[rockis hopperis]

Pulled mine apart and I have A1-KO axles and they are also directional. Had to rotate them - that sucked.

[yager]

kinda funny story, i bought new brakes to add brakes to the second axle on my trailer the farm store had the pile of loaded backing plates and seeing only 1 pile figured these must be it... wrong... got home pulled my first brake axle apart to inspect and noticed there ARE labled L / R (i never wiped the gunk off before to check) so i went to northen and got the box kit with one of each... I wasn't to upset as now ive got some spare parts...

FWIW: the only real part i noticed other than the stamping (L/R) on the back plate was the orientation of the parts AND the lever the magnet hangs on was different (it was also labled).

So I tossed all the extras in my trailer box and in a pinch I can simply reuse whats needed... I almost think its cheeper to buy the kit this way for parts... An individual prices of the parts seemed a bit high.. that, and it seems the shoes and magnets seem to wear out at alternating times..

so is that the only thing that makes it back free ?

[Scott@Rockstomper]

Last time I bought a new trailer axle beam, I asked about this--they said "brake wires in back" and I followed that advice. Dunno if it matters as long as the brakes are on the right way, but I've heard that trailer axles are toed, and I know they're cambered, to make the tires wear right.

[4x4not]

When I ordered a new axle from etrailerpart.com the backing plates were labeled with L and R. The wires are on the BACK.

But it looks like we knew that already :D