This article answers the popular question, how long do trailer axles last?
Similar to any piece of machinery, longevity, and life expectancy will depend on the level of care and maintenance over time. As trailer axles are exposed to outside elements, such as snow, ice, and debris on the roadways, they can begin to rust which can lead to corrosion over time. Even with the most rigorous maintenance and care schedule, your axles will eventually need to be replaced just from normal wear and tear from daily use.
In this article, we discuss a few important considerations that may impact your trailer axle’s longevity over time.
Trailer Type
The life expectancy of your axles can also vary based on the type of trailer you use. Open trailers such as flatbed trailers tend to have a shorter life span than enclosed trailers. This is because the hauling capacity and tow low weight are generally heavier with an open trailer. Flatbed trailers are used to haul large equipment, machinery, or large materials that often weigh a lot.
Hauling Terrain
Hauling across dirt roads, through sand, gravel roads, corn fields, or on cracked and broken pavement puts more wear on your trailer axles than driving on smooth roads, highways, and interstates. If you are planning to haul through aggressive terrain, it’s wise to factor this into your budget for repairs and axle replacements.
Haul Frequency
How frequently you are hauling can directly impact the longevity of your trailer axles. Daily trailer use will lead to faster wear and tear and in turn, replacements are needed more often.
Hauling Distance
Taking your trailer across long distances will impact how much life you get out of it. Traveling hundreds of miles regularly can shed years off your trailer’s life.
Age of Trailer
The age of the trailer is not necessarily a direct indication of the axle quality. A used trailer could have well-maintained axles that are replaced every 3 years, whereas a newer 2020 trailer could have daily hauls through rough terrain and bad weather elements, causing the axles to wear down more quickly. If deciding to purchase a used trailer, ask lots of questions about the trailer’s haul history, maintenance, and replacement parts.
Weather
Cold Regions
Certain regions in the country have harsher weather elements. The Midwest region is prone to harsh winters, with brutally cold temperatures, snow, and ice-covered roadways. The Midwest weather elements cause more wear and tear on your trailer than in other regions, which can cause rust and corrosion. Once moisture causes rust on the axles, they may begin to corrode.
The best thing you can do if you’re hauling in the Midwest is to keep your axles dry and clean. Any sort of moisture or ice buildup will immediately trigger rust buildup. If you have the option to park your trailer in a garage or shop, that helps to melt the ice and snow off your axles. A heated shop would be ideal!
Warm Regions
While the heat in other regions of the country seems ideal, the extreme dry heat these areas face can cause spring trailer axles to develop cracks and even dry out the flexible rubber seal if not properly greased and maintained.
Many hot climates also come with high humidity levels which can cause moisture build up on your trailer axles. If moisture accumulates on your axles and then dirt and other debris also stick to your axles, this will cause rust. In hot and humid environments, keep your axles clean of debris and dirt!
BlueSwift Has You Covered
BlueSwift Axles is here to help you choose the best replacement trailer axle for your hauling needs. You’ll find that torsion axles can wear better than spring axles because they require less maintenance. However, when torsion axles fail, they can be costly to replace. Spring trailer axles have more parts to maintain, but they have durable wear and less expensive components to repair.
While there are no guarantees when it comes to the life expectancy of any trailer part, we recommend changing your trailer axles every 3-5 years based on your axle usage and other factors mentioned above in this article. Annual axle inspections will help you get the most life out of your axles.
The quality of your axles is directly related to the life expectancy of your axles. If you want superior spring or torsion trailer axles, look no further than BlueSwift Axles.