Lippert 3500 lb Trailer Axle Beam Kit – 85" Hub Face – 4" Drop – 3" HD Tube
Lippert 3,500 lb trailer axle beam kit with an 85" hub face, 4" drop configuration, heavy-duty 3" axle tube, EZ Lube spindles, brake flanges, and loose spring perches.
Overview
This Lippert 3,500 lb drop axle beam kit is built for trailer applications that require an 85" hub face, 4" drop, and heavy-duty 3" tube configuration. The drop design helps lower trailer ride height while the axle still provides a 3,500 lb rated beam platform for compatible suspension, hub, and brake setups.
R&P Service Insight
The letter D in this axle SKU is important: it identifies this as a drop axle, not a straight axle. Match the drop, hub face, brake flange spacing, tube size, and spring center needs before ordering.
- Drop Configuration: This axle has a 4" drop design for lower ride height applications.
- Loose Perches: The included spring perches are loose by default and must be positioned and welded before road use.
- Brake / Hub Match: Verify your hub, drum, brake, bearing, and wheel requirements before installation.
R&P Knowledge Hub
Compatibility: Intended for trailer applications requiring a 3,500 lb Lippert axle beam with 85" hub face, 4" drop, 3" tube, and matching brake flange / suspension setup.
Trailer / System Fit: Use where the trailer requires an 85" hub face drop axle beam and compatible leaf spring suspension geometry.
Installation Notes: Verify hub face, brake flange-to-flange, spindle end-to-end, spring center, camber orientation, brake flange style, and drop direction before installation.
Performance Insight: Drop axles lower trailer ride height compared with a straight axle of similar rating. The 3" heavy-duty tube provides a stronger tube platform than smaller-tube 3,500 lb axle configurations.
Brand & Fitment Note
Selling Brand: Lippert axle beam kit sold by R&P Carriages.
Application Reference: This listing uses trailer axle dimensions and configuration details as the fitment reference. Compatibility depends on the trailer’s required axle rating, hub face, brake flange spacing, spring center, drop configuration, spindle style, and installed brake / hub components.
What This Means: This listing is for a Lippert 3,500 lb drop axle beam kit, not a complete hub-and-brake axle assembly unless additional components are specifically shown or listed.
Before Ordering: Verify all measurements, mounting style, spring center, hub / brake compatibility, and included components before installation.
R&P Repair Insight
Drop axle replacement needs more attention than a basic straight beam swap because the drop orientation affects ride height, clearance, brake wiring path, and suspension geometry.
- Confirm the “D” SKU: This SKU includes a drop axle configuration. Do not substitute for a straight axle unless the trailer is being intentionally reconfigured.
- Check the Measurements: Hub face is 85", brake flange-to-flange is 78.66", and spindle end-to-end is 89.38".
- Weld Perches Correctly: The loose spring perches must be measured, squared, and welded at the correct spring center before the axle is used.
Features
3,500 lb Rated Axle Beam
Built for compatible 3,500 lb trailer applications where the axle rating, hub face, brake flange spacing, and suspension geometry match.
85" Hub Face Width
Designed around an 85" hub face measurement. Always match this measurement to the trailer’s required axle width.
4" Drop Configuration
The drop design lowers trailer ride height compared with a straight axle, making the “D” in the SKU a critical fitment detail.
3" Heavy-Duty Tube
Heavy-duty 3" axle tube configuration with EZ Lube spindles, brake mounting flanges, and loose spring perches included.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 3500-85-3-D-KIT |
| Brand | Lippert |
| Product Type | Trailer axle beam kit |
| Axle Capacity | 3,500 lb |
| Hub Face | 85 inches |
| Brake Flange to Flange | 78.66 inches |
| Spindle End to End | 89.38 inches |
| Tube Size | 3 inch heavy-duty axle tube |
| Axle Style | 4 inch drop axle |
| Spindle Style | EZ Lube |
Fitment / Application
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Trailer System | Leaf spring trailer axle suspension |
| Primary Fit | Trailers requiring a 3,500 lb drop axle with 85" hub face and 3" tube |
| Drop Axle Note | The “D” in 3500-85-3-D-KIT indicates a drop axle configuration. |
| Verification Required | Confirm hub face, brake flange-to-flange, spindle end-to-end, spring center, brake flange pattern, hub / drum compatibility, and drop orientation before installation. |
Included Components
| Quantity | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lippert 3,500 lb axle beam, 85" hub face, 4" drop, 3" tube |
| Included | EZ Lube spindles |
| Included | Brake mounting flanges |
| 2 | Loose spring perches for 3" axle tube |
| Not Included | Hubs, drums, brakes, bearings, seals, U-bolts, plates, leaf springs, wheels, tires, and installation hardware unless separately shown or 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. |
| What does the D in this SKU mean? | The D identifies this axle as a drop axle configuration. |
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.
