For your purpose, you DO NOT want 3500 lb axles!

FWIW, my trailer is very similar to yours. Works great for moving, and I've used it for that purpose several times. Mine's an 8.5x24' trailer with 5200 lb axles. Loaded up wall to wall almost to the ceiling, I scaled mine at 9,400 lbs. Had I had 3,500 lb axles, it would have been severely overloaded.

Here's a pic with my last truck:



DON'T settle for less on a purchase like this. I paid $4795 for mine brand new, but I traveled to GA to get it. I believe Diamond is manufactured in Ocilla, GA...

 

20 foot is a decent sized trailer. I'd match that with larger axles to match the potential of what you could physically load into the trailer. Especially if you're going to use this as a utility trailer. I'm not sure what Diamond does, but usually heavier axles are also coupled with a stronger frame and better load distribution into the frame.

 

I will second the recommendation. You do not want 3500 lb axles.

I tow a 28 foot Classic Dominator with my truck. (Pics in my album). I went with 5200 lb axles for a few reasons.

First, the trailer itself weighs 3500 pounds. If I had 3500 lb axles, that would leave me with 3500 lb. carrying capacity, which is not enough.

Second, advice from this forum steered me away from the 3500 pound axles because of the tires. When you see a trailer disabled on the freeway, tires are the #1 cause. (lack of bearing maintenance is #2). 5200 lb axles come with E rated tires. They handle the load better and give you that extra safety margin. Since you have just a general idea of what you are going to be hauling, it is better to be safe than sorry.

A word of warning; Household goods weigh a lot more than you probably think. I moved all of our stuff from So. Indiana to No. Wisconsin in 6 trips (including 2 heavy classic cars). I was shocked at how much the loads with boxes and furniture weighed.

I know a few people who have Diamond trailers. They are happy with them, although no one has that particular model.

If you can get it, a V nose is better. My next trailer will have one. Just remember you have to increase the length with a V nose to get the same car carrying capacity. I went with a 28 foot trailer because the cars I load are over 18 feet in length. That gives me some room to move the car back and forth to get the load balanced properly.

 

Here is a picture of mine.



Also, forgot to mention, a real easy way to tell if the trailer you are looking at really has the 5200 pound axles is to count the lug nuts. 3500 lb. axles have 5 lug wheels, 5200 lb. axles have 6 lug wheels.

 

I can say... I have been party to many trailer purchases. From 16ft open flat beds to 40 foot enclosed. Here is what I know...

There are only so many trailer mfg out there, Look into the name, and see what brand it really is. Perhaps a thor, or Forest River, Keystone... to name a few.

The back door... Get the serial number ,or vin, and call the MFG. make sure it is a heavy duty one. The regular ones, I have seen collapse.

Axles??? Get the 5000 lbs one. Make sure they both have brakes. Make sure they are a good name like "Dexter", Henschen's are a pain to get parts for...

Your truck, will tow it fine... I have towed up to 12500 in My "Haulin" trailer. Your tires will play a little bit, but I think you will be fine well up to 10grand.

The price??? you have to research that trailer and options. I got a deal on mine... HD back door, Wide side door, heavy dexter axles. A/C setup, interior lights, diamond plate front, roof vent. both axles with brakes. Brakeaway system. I gave $5200 new, with e-rated new tires, and stylish rims.

 

Are you sure? I have a flat bed 16' with 6 lugs and I was told by the dealer that it had 3,500 pound axles. Is that wrong?

 

Different axles manufacturers could do it different, but this is the information that was explained to me by more than one trailer service technician.

5 lug = 3500 pound axle
6 lug = 5200 pound axle
8 lug = 7000 pound axle.

What is the GVRW of your trailer? If it is over 7000 pounds then you know you do not have 3500 lb. axles.

 

Yes, absolutely. The 5K axle is important because of the tire upgrade! A 20 footer is too big for 3500 pound axles. It's too big for the little 14" tires that come on it too.

My trailers are Pace. Highly recommend them to you. Whatever you do, confirm 3/4" plywood flooring, treadplate is nice on top of that. Sidewalls should be 1/4" plywood. For what I do I add 1/2" OSB to the walls and I also install E track at 2' and 5' on the walls.

 

looking back I should have looked for 5k axles.. I am right near the limit loaded.

I put Load Range E tires on for this last trip anyhow.

Sam

 

The hitch and axles go to 7k but they marked it as 5k so they could sell it with no brakes.

 

Redofrd, and crazy, have good lookin rigs...

 

Thanks, but yours is one fine rig also.

 

Well then, that blows what I have been told right out of the water.

Thanks for the correction. I don't like to pass out bad info.

 

Well, you may be right about the brand you have.
I was told that by a dealer that was saying i was over loading mine and needed to buy a new one. I am not sure they were honest with me.
I will call the builder tomorrow, then post back.

 

Wow, thanks for all the great replies. I found a dealership in Georgia that sells Diamond trailers and are selling BRAND NEW (2010) 8.5X20 V-nose trailers with the 5200# axles for $4295. That beats the heck out of a 2008 flat nose 8.5X20 with 3500# axles for $5500. So I think I made my decision on this trailer. Thank you all for your help!