3 axle trailer heavy duty ----Question

[jdtranch]

I have this trailer see pics.
It has mobile home hubs and tires on it.
So of course i want to switch the hubs so I can use chevy rims on it.
The trailer is13'x8 in size on the bed portion, but it is it 20' long overall.
It kinda sucks because i had plans to rotate the axles and flip the springs to be mounted under the axle to lower the trailer down.
But the 8' width ruins my plans to haul my truck. My old chevy is 6 1/2' wide so if i lowered the bed portion of the trailer between the tires, i would lose about it 1 1/2' on each side.
So my question is it worth converting the hubs and replacing the two sets of rear brakes and six low boy tires?
This trailer sits rather high in its current configuration and would just be a utility trailer, to haul hay, scrap, etc on.
Your thoughts are appreciated

 

[oldtractors]

Sell it to someone else and buy the trailer you need. You will be better off and have spent less money that way.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Sell it to someone else and buy the trailer you need. You will be better off and have spent less money that way.

I agree, its a can of worms. I deal in trailers, have for about 20 years, and I now refuse to work on that style. Just too much of a pain and parts can be hard to come by.

Sell it on Craigs List to some sucker for $2000. Be patient and someone will bite and talk you down to maybe $1750 thinking its a great deal because its so heavy duty. Then take that money and get a new $2200 18' car hauler.

Chris

 

[jdtranch]

I like your thinking Chris

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Use it as is or sell it. New tires and rims are not bad from local mobile home set up people.

 

[tulenutn2o]

that's a $500 trailer in these parts. I have a similar trailer with a 20'deck but fenders and lower(not a deck-over). I use it for alot of rougher work, the car trailer for cars, dump trailer for scrap, .Point is, I always need one more than I have, it seems. Seems something doen't always get unloaded right away(farm imps) before I need to chase something else. 1 more flatbed would be good for me. 32' gooseneck to be exact.

 

[Johnp33]

In our area it is illegal to use old house trailer axles for a "U" built trailer, the axles are junk the hubs are junk, the bearings are junk most do not even have a name or number on them.
Personally I would scrap the axles and take the loss rather than sell it to an idiot that might hurt someone.

 

[tulenutn2o]

In our area it is illegal to use old house trailer axles for a "U" built trailer, the axles are junk the hubs are junk, the bearings are junk most do not even have a name or number on them.
Personally I would scrap the axles and take the loss rather than sell it to an idiot that might hurt someone.

I do not know where you live, but the trailer I speak of was built in Illinois and DOT inspected and titled with these axles. So maybe just not legal to build one now, with those axles. I dunno.

 

[Johnp33]

Those axles are from a mobile home and are made for one time use.
Like I said you can remove the cover and the outside bearing and look most every one I have ever seen have no numbers.
I live in Rock Creek B.C. Boundary Kootenay country.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Those axles are from a mobile home and are made for one time use.
Like I said you can remove the cover and the outside bearing and look most every one I have ever seen have no numbers.
I live in Rock Creek B.C. Boundary Kootenay country.

Johnp33 why would you post something this false with the intent to confuse good people. You need to talk with MH movers that pull new and old ones far and wide.

We have two that have been used for many years. The last one came from a logger who moved his skidder with it for 12 years and it was used when he got it. He stated he never touched the hubs during that time. After about 20 miles coming home with it we stopped and checked all six hub temps and again when we got home from the 50 mile trip. They were still cool and yes the trailer was empty.

 

[tulenutn2o]

Johnp33 why would you post something this false with the intent to confuse good people. You need to talk with MH movers that pull new and old ones far and wide.

We have two that have been used for many years. The last one came from a logger who moved his skidder with it for 12 years and it was used when he got it. He stated he never touched the hubs during that time. After about 20 miles coming home with it we stopped and checked all six hub temps and again when we got home from the 50 mile trip. They were still cool and yes the trailer was empty.

Yeh, I can't count how many times the movers around here use these axles. One time use could mean what? drive for 20k miles in one trip? 1 mile trip? Granted, they may not be as precise as top shelf axles, but I would argue, every bit as good as some china built trailers sold at major importers stores. For the record, my trailer was built in '94, and I have yet to have a bearing failure,etc. Go figure.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Those axles are from a mobile home and are made for one time use.

I was always told that the company shipped the axles back and used them again. Not true?

 

[Johnp33]

The reason I would post that is because I have been a licenced mechanic, since 1973, and a licenced inspector for 25plus years. In all those years I have never found one trailer with those axles that was legal.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The reason I would post that is because I have been a licenced mechanic, since 1973, and a licenced inspector for 25plus years. In all those years I have never found one trailer with those axles that was legal.

OK my bad. I was talking about in the USA and not foreign countries. Perhaps what you are saying is true in your country and I will read up your laws when you post some valid links.

 

[Johnp33]

You have the same vehicle safety rules as we do, they may not be enforced but if you have a problem with a tailor made from used mobile home axles I am willing to bet your insurance company will not cover you. If you Google using those axles there is a lot of write ups about it it gives you the replacement bearing numbers and everything.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

You have the same vehicle safety rules as we do, they may not be enforced but if you have a problem with a tailor made from used mobile home axles I am willing to bet your insurance company will not cover you. If you Google using those axles there is a lot of write ups about it it gives you the replacement bearing numbers and everything.

Johnp33 the more you post the more you reveal your info is false. Clearly you do not know the insurance industry and laws.

 

[Johnp33]

Google any other axle and see if you can find one that says it is a one time use set-up and tell us the link.
I worked at a dealership and was involved with a lot of insurance companies, everyone of them was more than willing to leave you out in the cold if there was any reason.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Johnp33 since you do not have evidence of one time use I think we all get the picture.

Actually to toss you a bone MH axle usage in the USA is illegal for 102" wide legal trailers because they are 120" wide as shipped so they have to be chop legalized. :thumbsup:

 

[Johnp33]

Google "using mobile home axles for a trailer". then you can do what ever you want.
Knowledge is important in this world.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Sorry you did not find evidence to support your myth. You and both know MH axles are work horses and can work for a long long time. Was that your twin that posted about the same kind of stuff a couple years ago?