Converting MH to Commercial Drums

MillWeld · Mar 15, 2011

tlbuser said:
Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - Hub Kits 5.2K-6K

I can get a drum from the above site for $190 or I can pay about $78 at etrailer.com for what looks like the same drum including bearings. That is a whopping difference - what am I missing here? What is the difference in the drums?

BruceWard · Mar 15, 2011

beeforty said:
"If I am going down the road on a weekend with my super find on a trailer and I lose 2 tires, WHERE are you going to find one

I spent $50 on two extra (like new) tires and wheels that are bolted to the front of the trailer. Seems like cheap insurance and much easier than going to a tire shop for repair. So far I have not had a single failure on the 10 ply 14.5" tires. I had a slow leak in one that would drop it from 80 psi down to around 50. I spent $25 to replace that one.

BruceWard · Mar 15, 2011

Back to the topic.

Not sure which Etrailer package you would be getting for $78. I think this hub and drum would work Trailer Hub & Drum - 5,200 and 6,000 lbs Axles - 6 on 5-1/2 Dexter Trailer Hubs and Drums 42656 .

MillWeld · Mar 15, 2011

BruceWard said:
Back to the topic.

Not sure which Etrailer package you would be getting for $78. I think this hub and drum would work Trailer Hub & Drum - 5,200 and 6,000 lbs Axles - 6 on 5-1/2 Dexter Trailer Hubs and Drums 42656 .

It doesn't have the exact bearings but this one does for about $78:
Trailer Hubs and Drums > Hub with Integrated Drum > EZ Lube > For 5200 lbs Axles > 6 on 5-1/2 Inch > 12 x 2 Inch Drum > 25580 > LM67048 > Dexter

But my question is that just because the bearing are the same does that mean the spindles are too? Couldn't spindles vary in length but still use the same bearings? (Some of my questions may have obvious answers but I am new to this stuff so I have to ask). Thanks for all the responses.

sandman2234 · Mar 15, 2011

I have a triple axle trailer (search for my ugly trailer post) that uses the mobile home tires and hubs, but the axles definitely aren't mobile home axles because they are drop axles. Go figure...
Tires are available from tire suppliers, and aren't that weird. Years ago, finding a "heavy duty truck rim meant you were going to find one with no center.
I have considered replacing one or more of the axles just to get better brakes, but for now it does fine as it is.
David from jax

BruceWard · Mar 15, 2011

Here is a link to that product Complete E-Z Lube Hub & Drum Assembly, 5,200 lbs Axles - 6 on 5-1/2 Dexter Trailer Hubs and Drums 8-201-5UC3-EZ

I do not know if it would fit. Perhaps order one or two (for free shipping) and see if it fits. If it does you have found a relatively inexpensive upgrade path for the rest of us.

Personally I would have trouble deciding to swiitch to more expensive or inferior tires. I like the 10 ply tires and have three suplliers within 5 miles of my home. I would swap that drum for another and keep going.

tlbuser · Mar 16, 2011

MillWeld said:
I can get a drum from the above site for $190 or I can pay about $78 at etrailer.com for what looks like the same drum including bearings. That is a whopping difference - what am I missing here? What is the difference in the drums?

Probably, next to nothing. On the spindle thing, the bearing placement (diameter and distance from backing plate) are what would you would need to measure plus overall length. You can get the bearing placement off of the old drum and measure how much the spindle "sticks out" from the drum face.

MillWeld · Mar 17, 2011

tlbuser said:
Shouldn't matter. The inside bearing race rides on the spindle, the drum rides on the outer race........It should all fit nicely

I talked to etrailer today and was told that "Trailer Hubs and Drums > Hub with Integrated Drum > For 5200 lbs Axles > 6 on 5-1/2 Inch > 12 x 2 Inch Drum > 25580 > LM67048 > Dexter" would fit my spindles. "If the bearings are the same then the spindles are the same" I was told. The price is about $72. I already have new DOT approved 8 x 14.5 tires so now I need rims (or wheels) to fit the tires and have 6 on 5.5" mounting holes. etrailer doesn't have this. Will this be hard to find? I know getting tires first was probably a mistake but i did so before the crack appeared in the drum.