Lippert 3500 lb Trailer Axle Kit - 87" Hub Face - 2.4" Tube - Straight - Loose Perches
Lippert 3,500 lb trailer axle kit with 87" hub face, 2.4" tube construction, EZ Lube spindles, brake flanges, and loose spring perches to be measured and welded before installation.
Overview
This Lippert 3500-87-24-KIT trailer axle kit is a straight-style cambered replacement axle package for trailers using a 3,500 lb axle configuration with an 87" hub face measurement. The kit includes the axle beam and loose spring perches / spring seats. The perches are not welded by default and must be properly measured, positioned, squared, and welded before the axle is placed into service.
R&P Service Insight
Axle replacement should begin with measurements, not guessing from trailer size. Hub face width, spindle type, brake flange position, spring center, and loose-perch welding all matter before installation.
- Hub Face First: Match the 87" hub face measurement to the old axle before assuming fitment.
- Spring Center Required: Loose spring perches must be welded to the correct spring center measurement before road use.
- Camber Direction: If the axle is cambered, the arch faces upward when installed.
R&P Knowledge Hub
Compatibility: Designed for compatible trailer applications requiring a 3,500 lb axle beam with 87" hub face, 2.4" tube, EZ Lube spindles, matching brake flange configuration, and weld-on spring perch setup.
Vehicle / System Fit: Commonly used in cargo, utility, and light-duty trailer running gear systems where axle capacity, measurements, and mounting configuration match the existing setup.
Installation Notes: Verify hub face, brake flange spacing, spindle setup, spring center, straight-vs-drop configuration, and existing hub/brake compatibility before ordering or installing.
Performance Insight: Straight cambered axle beams help maintain standard ride height while supporting proper loaded axle geometry when installed in the correct orientation with welded spring perches.
Brand & Fitment Note
Selling Brand: Lippert / R&P Carriages assembled kit listing
Application Reference: Trailer, axle, hub, brake, suspension, and running gear references in this listing describe compatibility targets only where measurements, rating, spindle configuration, spring center, and brake setup match.
What This Means: This listing is for one axle kit that includes the axle beam and loose spring perches. It is not a complete hub/drum/brake kit unless additional components are specifically listed as included.
Before Ordering: Verify measurements, axle capacity, spindle style, hub face width, brake flange spacing, spring center, spring mounting requirements, and included components before installation.
R&P Repair Insight
The most common axle-ordering mistakes come from measuring overall length instead of hub face, assuming all 3,500 lb axles interchange, overlooking spindle and brake compatibility, or assuming loose perches are already welded.
- Measure Correctly: Hub face is measured from the mounting face of one hub to the mounting face of the opposite hub, not from spindle tip to spindle tip.
- Match the System: Confirm the axle works with the existing hub, drum, brake, wheel bolt pattern, and suspension setup.
- Weld Before Use: Loose perches must not be used as loose locating parts. They must be welded before the axle is installed, towed, or placed into service.
Features
3,500 lb Axle Capacity
Configured for compatible trailer running gear systems using a 3,500 lb axle beam rating.
87" Hub Face Width
Designed for applications requiring an 87" hub face measurement to maintain proper wheel spacing and trailer track width.
EZ Lube Spindle Configuration
EZ Lube spindle setup supports serviceable hub maintenance when paired with compatible hub and bearing components.
Loose Spring Perches Included
Spring perches / spring seats are included loose and must be welded to the correct spring center measurement before use.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| SKU / Kit Number | 3500-87-24-KIT |
| Axle Beam Part Number | 3500-87-24 |
| Brand | Lippert / R&P Carriages assembled kit listing |
| Product Type | Trailer axle kit with loose spring perches |
| Axle Capacity | 3,500 lb |
| Hub Face | 87" |
| Tube Size | 2.4" |
| Configuration | Straight-style cambered axle beam |
| Spindle Type | EZ Lube |
| Brake Flange to Flange | 80.66" |
| Spindle End to End | 91.38" |
| Spring Perches | Included loose; not welded by default |
| Material / Finish | Steel axle beam / finish not specified |
Fitment / Application
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle / System | Cargo, utility, and light-duty trailer axle replacement applications |
| Primary Fit | Trailers requiring a 3,500 lb axle kit with 87" hub face and compatible 2.4" tube configuration |
| Brake Compatibility | Brake flanges are present; verify brake size, flange pattern, hub/drum setup, and rating before installation |
| Spring Center | Must be measured from the trailer or old axle before loose perches are welded |
| Notes | Match hub face, spindle setup, brake flange spacing, spring center, straight-vs-drop configuration, axle rating, and existing suspension geometry before ordering. |
Included Components
| Quantity | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lippert 3500-87-24 trailer axle beam - 3,500 lb, 87" hub face, 2.4" tube, straight EZ Lube configuration |
| 2 | Loose spring perches / spring seats to be measured, positioned, squared, and welded before use |
| Not Included | Hubs, drums, brake assemblies, bearings, seals, wheels, tires, U-bolts, leaf springs, mounting hardware, and other running gear components 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.
