Lippert 3500 lb Axle Beam - 3.5K Drop - 96" Hub Face - 3" Tube - EZ Lube - Loose Perches
Heavy-duty 3,500 lb trailer axle bare beam with 96" hub face, 3" axle tube, EZ Lube spindles, and loose spring perches for final spring-center placement before installation.
Overview
This Lippert 3.5K drop trailer axle beam is built for common utility, camper, and equipment trailer applications where the axle rating, hub face, spindle setup, brake flange spacing, and spring center requirements match the trailer. This -KIT includes loose spring perches so the final spring-center location can be set to the trailer before welding.
R&P Service Insight
Axle replacement is measurement-driven. The hub face, spring center, brake flange spacing, spindle style, and tube size all need to line up with the trailer’s running gear before the axle goes into service.
- Loose Perches: The included spring perches are not welded by default and must be welded before road use.
- EZ Lube Setup: EZ Lube spindles help simplify hub service when paired with the correct hub, bearings, seals, and grease maintenance.
- 3" Tube: The heavy-duty 3" tube gives this 3.5K axle a stronger beam profile than lighter 2-3/8" tube applications.
R&P Knowledge Hub
Compatibility: Match by axle capacity, hub face, brake flange spacing, spindle type, bearing set, seal requirement, tube diameter, and spring center.
Trailer Fit: Commonly used on trailer applications requiring a 3,500 lb drop axle beam with 96" hub face and 3" axle tube.
Installation Notes: Spring perches ship loose by default and must be measured, positioned, squared, and welded before the axle is installed or towed.
Performance Insight: Correct axle geometry protects tire wear, brake alignment, suspension tracking, and hub fitment.
Brand & Fitment Note
Selling Brand: Lippert axle beam sold by R&P Carriages.
Application Reference: Trailer and running gear references in this listing describe fitment targets only where the customer’s measurements and configuration match.
What This Means: This listing is for a 3.5K drop trailer axle beam kit with loose spring perches, not a complete hub, brake, wheel, or suspension assembly.
Before Ordering: Verify hub face, brake flange spacing, spindle dimensions, bearing and seal requirements, spring center, drop configuration, and included components before installation.
R&P Repair Insight
The most common axle-ordering mistakes come from matching only the weight rating or deck width. A correct axle replacement needs the full measurement set, especially when the perches are supplied loose.
- Check Hub Face: Confirm the 96" hub face measurement matches your trailer’s original axle requirement.
- Check Spring Center: Measure center-to-center from spring to spring or perch to perch before welding the loose perches.
- Check Hub Parts: This axle uses L44649 and L68149 bearings with 10-19 grease seals when matched to compatible hubs; bearings, seals, brakes, and hubs are not included.
Features
3.5K Drop Axle Beam
Built for 3,500 lb trailer axle applications requiring a drop-style beam configuration.
96" Hub Face
Designed for trailer setups requiring a 96" hub face measurement.
Heavy-Duty 3" Tube
Uses a 3" axle tube for a stronger heavy-duty beam profile.
Loose Spring Perches Included
Includes loose 3" spring perches so final spring-center placement can be matched to the trailer before welding.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 3500-96-3-D-KIT |
| Brand | Lippert |
| Product Type | Trailer axle bare beam kit with loose spring perches |
| Capacity | 3,500 lb / 3.5K |
| Hub Face | 96" |
| Tube Size | 3" axle tube |
| Configuration | Drop axle beam with EZ Lube spindles |
| Brake Flange to Flange | 89.66" |
| Bearing Shoulder to Shoulder | 92.19" |
| Spindle End to End | 100.38" |
| Common Bearing / Seal Reference | L44649 and L68149 bearings with 10-19 grease seals when matched to compatible hubs; bearings and seals are not included. |
Fitment / Application
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle / System | Utility, camper, and equipment trailer running gear applications |
| Primary Fit | Trailers requiring a 3,500 lb drop axle beam with 96" hub face and 3" tube |
| Spring Perch Setup | Loose perches included for final spring-center placement before welding |
| Notes | Verify hub face, spring center, brake flange spacing, spindle dimensions, hub compatibility, bearing/seal match, and drop orientation before ordering or installing. |
Included Components
| Quantity | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lippert 3.5K drop trailer axle bare beam – 96" hub face – 3" tube – EZ Lube |
| 2 | Loose spring perches for 3" axle tube |
| Not Included | Hubs, drums, brakes, bearings, seals, U-bolts, plates, wheels, tires, and installation hardware unless separately stated |
What Comes in the -KIT: Spring Perches Are Included Loose
This -KIT includes the axle beam and loose spring perches / spring seats. The spring perches are included as separate pieces. Included does not mean welded.
Spring perches ship loose by default. They are not welded to the axle tube before shipment unless the customer specifically requests perch welding in the order notes, provides the correct Spring Center measurement, and R&P confirms the weld-on request before the axle ships.
Repetition matters: If the listing says “spring perches included,” that means loose spring perches are included with the kit. It does not mean the spring perches are already installed, welded, or ready for towing.
When Will R&P Weld the Spring Perches?
R&P may weld the spring perches before shipment only when the order clearly gives us the information needed to do it correctly.
- The customer must request welded spring perches in the order notes.
- The customer must provide the Spring Center measurement.
- R&P must confirm the weld-on request before shipment.
How to Find Your Spring Center Measurement
Spring Center is the distance from the center of one leaf spring to the center of the opposite leaf spring. This is the measurement used to locate where the spring perches need to be welded on the axle tube.
- Best method with old axle: Measure from the center of one existing spring perch / spring seat to the center of the opposite spring perch / spring seat.
- Best method from the trailer: Measure from the centerline of the left leaf spring pack to the centerline of the right leaf spring pack where the axle sits.
- Leaf spring center bolt method: Measure from the center of the center bolt / locating pin on one spring pack to the center of the center bolt / locating pin on the other spring pack.
- Do not measure outside-to-outside. Spring Center is a center-to-center measurement.
- Do not guess from deck width. Deck width can be helpful context, but it is not a substitute for the actual Spring Center measurement.
Axle Measurement Diagram
Use the axle measurement diagram below as a visual reference while confirming axle dimensions and installation details. Spring Center must still be measured center-to-center at the trailer’s leaf springs or existing spring perches.
Why Welding the Perches Matters
This image shows a real-world installation problem where loose spring perches were not welded before use and brake wiring was torn out. This is exactly why the axle must not be installed, towed, or placed into service while the spring perches are still loose.
Loose perches can allow the axle to move or rotate out of its intended installed position. That can damage brake wiring, brake components, suspension parts, tires, and the trailer. The perches must be properly welded before road use.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are spring perches included in the -KIT? | Yes. The spring perches / spring seats are included as loose parts. |
| Are the spring perches welded on by default? | No. They ship loose by default. |
| Can R&P weld the perches before shipping? | Only if the customer requests it in the order notes, provides the correct Spring Center measurement, and R&P confirms the request before shipment. |
| What measurement is needed for welding? | Spring Center: center of one leaf spring / spring perch to the center of the opposite leaf spring / spring perch. |
| Can the axle be used with loose perches? | No. Do not install, tow, or place the axle in service until the perches are properly welded. |
| What can happen if perches are not welded? | Loose perches can allow the axle to move or rotate, which can damage brake wiring, brake parts, suspension components, tires, and the trailer. |
| Which way does camber face? | If the axle is cambered, the arch goes up in the middle when installed. |
Order Note Wording Customers Can Use
Customers who want R&P to weld the spring perches should put clear instructions in the order notes before checkout.
