Dump trailer

BILL_K · Apr 4, 2003

I am starting my newest big project. It will be a 7 by 12 foot dump with a 8 by 5 foot platform on front. I have not deceided if I will make it a fifthwheel or not.
The frame will be 4 by 4 inch box with 3 moble home axles.
The dump is from my 70 chev one ton. Any ideas or feedback would be welcome.
BillK

Hoeman00 · Apr 5, 2003

Other than use good axles instead of the house trailer ones.
I have built w/ both and won't use them anymore (well maybe a yard cart).

Bird · Apr 5, 2003

Bill, are you getting the same tires and wheels that were used under a mobile home with those axles? I know two or three fellows who have built their own trailers (not dump trailers) using those, and if you do, check the tire pressure rating on the tires because they're usually made for high pressure and if you run them lower, the tires tend to come apart. They work OK if you keep them properly inflated.

CTyler · Apr 5, 2003

What troubles do you run into with trailer house axles?

Anonymous Poster · Apr 5, 2003

Old trailer house stuff works ok. Newer stuff is built for a 1-time use, and is very light & cheap.

If you need your trailer inspected to go on the road, or get stopped by the DOT on an interstate, you could have problems - trailer house stuff does not pass inspection for general use.

Most especially, the tires themselves are a big no-no for general use. They are stamped on the side, for mobile homes only, etc.

I live in a state where farm-use trailers do not need licence. You see a lot of trailer house axles & wheels. But you can't ever get the stuff up to code to get it licenced... Might be different in your state.

--->Paul

Hoeman00 · Apr 7, 2003

U can get 14.5" lowboy tires but I had trouble w/ the 5 bolts and clamps that hold wheels on.
It is a pain to get centered so they run smooth and on one of the triaxle trailers if u made a sharp turn it would pull one of the wheels off the axle.
Even new clamps didn't help, it would still roll the rim off the axle.
Some are rated at 5k and 7k, if u don't load to capacity it might not be as bad.
U will have to cut the axles down to correct width and should put a sleeve inside or outside for reinforcement and maintain the correct arch.
I order the correct 7k 8 hole axles and new rims are $35 each then put on used E rating 16" tires that i have off of previous p/u trucks.
I also don't have to carry a spare (use one on truck).

Darren · Apr 7, 2003

As mentioned the clamp on wheels are trouble. Go with axles setup for Budd type wheels rather than the clamp on spokes (Daytons). If you're stuck with clamp on wheels put tubes in the tires. The tires on house trailers are crap.

House trailer axles are usually too wide which means to be road legal in many places they'll need to be cut down. A good axle will have a camber in it to carry the load. Cutting a chunk out of the center of the axles can affect the camber. You might have to sleeve the axle to maintain integrity.

Northern sells a manual on building trailers. If you plan on using the trailer frequently, ditch the idea of house trailer axles. A trailer built with Dexter axles or other name brands will still be useable far in the future. Wouldn't surprise me to see the house trailer axled setup parked in the weeds after a short period of frustration.