You probably don't think too much about the axles on your car. Your axles keep your wheels in place while allowing them to spin, but these seemingly simple components take center stage on a trailer. When purchasing a utility trailer, the axles will tell you about its capabilities and whether it can meet your needs reliably and efficiently.

Learning the Basics of Trailer Axles

When you're buying a pre-built trailer from the lot, you'll need to consider three things about its axle or axles:

• Suspension
• Axle Weight Capacity
• Brakes

Your trailer's suspension will determine its overall axle design. Leaf spring trailers are still more common. These trailers use a simple straight axle with underslung leaf springs to absorb bumps and imperfections as you drive down the road. Torsion suspensions are another alternative that provides a smoother ride and fewer long-term maintenance requirements.

Unsurprisingly, the weight capacity tells you how much weight the trailer can hold, but the situation can be a little more complex than it appears at first. In reality, you need to also look at a trailer's suspension and tires when considering its overall carrying capacity. If your springs or tires have a lower capacity than your axle, this lower number will limit your overall carrying capacity.

Finally, not all trailers come with brakes installed on their axles. Light-duty trailers may not include this safety item, and you might not need them if you're only hauling light loads. You'll want to check your local laws to determine the maximum trailer weight that can operate without brakes and the maximum amount you're comfortable hauling in a trailer that doesn't have brakes on its axles.

Choosing the Right Axle For Your Needs

Understanding your towing needs will help you understand how to pick a trailer with an appropriate axle. Always start by looking at your most likely hauling scenarios. How much weight will you carry on a typical day? Are you planning any upgrades in the future that might increase your hauling needs, such as buying a new tractor or getting a bigger boat?

You should always give yourself a little headroom with your axle choice when looking at trailers. As long as your tow vehicle can handle it, the extra weight capacity will provide you with more flexibility in the future. You'll also need to consider where you haul since leaf springs typically provide better performance on rough roads, while torsion axles work best for lighter loads on flat, smooth surfaces.

Your trailer's axle is one of its most critical components. When you're browsing your local trailer dealer's lot, make sure you consider trailers with axles that can fit your needs now and in the future.

To learn more about trailers and trailer axles, talk to a trailer dealer near you for more information.