3 axle flatbed from mh?

[Soundguy]

good point too....

 

[Mikeeemo]

If memory serves; the brakes on MH axles are not designed to be serviced. When you wear them out, you change the axle.

My brother had a trailer with a MH axle, needed brake work, he could not get parts.

Food for thought.

 

[Soundguy]

hmm.. i've had the same shoes on my 16' tandem for near 12ys.. they are just about ready to be changes and have no more real adjustment left. when they get weak again.. i gott repalce them. and that trailer say MANY MANY miles of use. if the mh brakes are only gonna get used 1 per year.. hm.. they might just outlast me..

 

[MillWeld]

If memory serves; the brakes on MH axles are not designed to be serviced. When you wear them out, you change the axle.

What makes a MH axle an MH axle? If it comes off of a mobile home is it an MH axle? I've seen axles from MHs with welded on backing plates and axles from MHs with completely replaceable parts. The latter is indistinguishable (to my eye)from commercial axles of the same size. So, Soundguy, are your backing plates welded on? If not, you may have a fine axle but you will still have the inconvenience of pinch wheels.

 

[Soundguy]

used to those on some of the tractors I own. frogs and all..

soundguy

 

[bcp]

I don't understand the problem with a welded-on backing plate. I've been repairing my brakes for over 50 years and never had to replace one yet.

The problem I see with mobile home axles and frame converted to flat bed is the frame is usually very tall, thin, and flexible.

Bruce

 

[Soundguy]

that's my primary concern.. how well it will carry the weight...

not so much the brakes, that for me, would likely never be used enough to wear out.. or the tires.. which apparrently.. are very cheap used.. even if you replaced them every couple years... heck.. could pull them off after each use and store inside to help them last...

soundguy

 

[JimRB]

I paid $267 for four new 8x14.5 tires mounted on new rims last month. My trailer has one mobile home axle with brakes and an "open" backing plate. The other axle I bent in an exciting slow speed spinout on the innerstate years ago. I replaced it with brand new Dexter axle with a "closed" backing plate. So now the trailer has enough braking power to stop itself. The front brake shoes have been relined once. You just go to your favorite brake relining company to have new material placed on your old shoes. When I was gettin new tires I was debating about replacing stuff to go to a standard 15" wheel but as little as I use the trailer the expense was not worth it. What I have has enough braking power with all four wheels braked that that is not an issue. I did also buy new grade 8 bolts for the old axle as the old bolts were bent, stretched and rusty. The trailer itself is from a local trailer builder and is plenty stout, not a mobile house frame.

 

[slowzuki]

I've got a commercial built 27 ft trailer with the mh style axles but they are not mh axles. Lots of construction float trailers used 14.5 tires to keep the capacity high with the deck height low. The backing plates are bolted, they used the same bearings as 7000 lb axles etc. I've not put a lot of miles on the trailer but the axles have been fine so far.

My only complaint is those stiff tires are a mother to get seated. I've had one with a rachet strap on it all summer trying to get it shaped to seat. No luck yet.

Oh yeah, careful buying tires in 14.5, not all are DOT rated, some are mobile home tires, single use sort of deals. Not really any price difference but MH ones will get you a ticket in some states.

 

[Soundguy]

so far, the revenue enforcers have not decided to check tire ratings on non commercial vehicles.. yet anyway..


soundguy