As the spine of your trailer builds, selecting the right axle is a fundamental element in achieving the load capacity you are after.  The two most common axle types, Solid Beam and Hollow Tube Axles are both great options when made by a reputable manufacturer. 

Why Choose Hollow Tube Axles?

The key advantage of hollow tube axles is their ability to offer significant weight savings without sacrificing strength or load capacity. This reduced weight can make a world of difference when you’re looking to increase payload—whether it's fitting an extra digger bucket on a hire trailer, a larger water tank on a camper, or adding more supplies to a caravan

While Solid Beam axles are undeniably strong when comparing similar profiles, they come with added bulk. Hollow tube axles offer a smarter alternative by delivering comparable performance in most cases but at a fraction of the weight.

Hollow Tube vs Solid Beam Axles: The Benefits

Advantages of Hollow Tube Axles:

  1. Lightweight: Reduced axle weight allows for increased load to be carried within the ATM.
  2. Easy Customisation: Lengths, droppers, overlays, and brake configurations are all possible without long delays.
  3. Quick Lead Times: Manufactured to order using stubs and box sections, ensuring fast turnaround.
Advantages of Solid Beam Axles:
  1. Strength: Solid beam axles are stronger when comparing the same diameters.
  2. Stock Availability: Common sizes are often stocked by importers, meaning shorter lead times for standard axle sizes.
Disadvantages of Hollow Axles:
  • Not as strong as solid beam axles of the same profile.
Disadvantages of Solid Beam Axles:
  • Heavy: Using 2 x 50sq axles can add up to 80kg of unnecessary weight.
  • Harder to Fit: With their weight, they can be more difficult to handle during installation.
  • Customisation Delays: Lengthier lead times for custom lengths and dropper and overlay axles.
  • Steel Quality Concerns: It can be difficult to verify the quality of imported steel.

Why Hollow Tube is Becoming the Industry Standard

Hollow tube axles are now one of the most widely used axles in the industry, compliant with the Australian Design Rules (ADR), including heavy towing classes up to an ATM of 4.5T.  They are lighter, easier to customise and offer ample strength for most applications, making them a preferred choice.

Dispelling Misconceptions

Like with all industries, some manufacturers are pushing the limit using very thin-walled box section axles, lacking strength, which has led to concerns about hollow axles being flimsy.  

The axles we manufacture are made with 100% Australian-made Steel, ensuring they meet the highest standards for deflection, yield and strength. 

Why Trust Trailparts?

With over 100,000 Trailparts axles on the road, we’ve earned a reputation for reliability. Our axles are engineered for Australian conditions, and we manufacture a range of profile sizes to suit different ATM requirements.

Whether it's heavy-duty hauling or general towing, you can trust our hollow axles to do the business. 

Useful Resources

Australian Government Department of Infrastructure Road Vehicle Standards: VSB 1 – Trailers with an Aggregate Trailer Mass of 4.5 Tonnes or less.

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/vehicles/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/files/vsb1-rev-6-20210222.pdf