New "old" trailer- tri axle

[tlbuser]

This weekend, I went and picked up an older equipment trailer that I won on auction.

Nice find. What does it need besides a coat of paint and some heavier safety chains? Are there drain holes in the chain tray?

 

[brokenot]

brokenot "assuming" you are correct why do we not see a performance difference reported by end users between a 6K and a 6K axle from these two different sources?

You're kidding.....right?

What type of "performance difference" is going to be reported by someone that uses MH axles? Does that same individual have two trailers that are otherwise identical to compare side-by-side for reliability/longevity?

I really don't know why you're in such denial over this issue. It's almost as if the proverbial cat gets let out of the bag, then the trailer(s) you have, or build to sell to others will suddenly be *worth* less or something. If MH axles work fine for your application, by all means....have at it. But your insistence that they're somehow "equal" is a bit befuddling, and people that want accurate information about the issue just might make a mistake they'll regret later on if they base what they do on the information you've provided.

This comparison seems appropriate given that this is a tractor forum.

John Deere makes this tractor, and you can buy it with a 48" deck. Think of this one as representing a standard 6K rated trailer axle:

John Deere also makes this tractor, and you can buy it with a 48" deck. This model represents the MH axle:

Are they suitable or rated for the same type of service? If so, why did Deere go to the trouble of building the heavier-duty model?

 

[aczlan]

This comparison seems appropriate given that this is a tractor forum.

John Deere makes this tractor, and you can buy it with a 48" deck. Think of this one as representing a standard 6K rated trailer axle:

John Deere also makes this tractor, and you can buy it with a 48" deck. This model represents the MH axle:

Are they suitable or rated for the same type of service? If so, why did Deere go to the trouble of building the heavier-duty model?

That has to be one of the best illustrations of the difference I have seen :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Aaron Z

 

[Kaliburz]

Nice find. What does it need besides a coat of paint and some heavier safety chains? Are there drain holes in the chain tray?

The chains on it are a joke. It needs a battery, breakaway switch, & a crank stand (tongue jack) for sure. Might need a bearings in two hubs.... got "warm" on the drive back. Oh, and some tubes for those dang 14.5's!! At least if it gets low on me while parked, I have a chance to air it up if it gets loose on the bead. Yes, there is a drain hole, back corners are not solid, but the front's are.


brokenot-
Ah, that mower comparison is a wonderful example. One is meant to be used daily for extended periods of time (mowing commercially- 5 days a week for 5-8 hours). The other is used occasionally for a limited time (home- 2 days for maybe 2 hours-3 hours). Same goes for push mowers- friend told me about the commercial line of Honda mowers vs the homeowner line.

I suppose if someone is building a "garbage" trailer, single axle, gets very limited use, yes the mobile home axle works. Word I hear, if the state sees MH axles on a 'new' home built axle, some won't even inspect since they're not allowed- at least that's the word I hear for my state.

I've seen "mobile home" type trailers on a LOT of home built trailers. Usually a tell tail sign is they have a gusset in the center where they have been cut and narrowed. Until researching my trailer, I knew nothing of the UTG 5 spoke hubs- only knew them as mobile home since that's what they were most common on. Very few equipment trailers I saw that had them.



That trailer I just got, it got was classified by the licensing dept as "commercial" on the registration because it's empty weight is 4050lbs! Heck, how many classifications are out there? And it's all based on weight?

 

[Gale Hawkins]

brokenot not sure if you are interested in what Dexter states or not. Common sense would indicate a 6K rated axle is just that.

Official Mobile Home Axle Info [Archive] - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

"You are correct that your axle is NOT the "one time use" axle that everyone thinks it is. The axles with the bolt on brake are the utility version which was very similar to the true mobile home axle with the weld on brake."

 

[Kaliburz]

brokenot not sure if you are interested in what Dexter states or not. Common sense would indicate a 6K rated axle is just that.

Official Mobile Home Axle Info [Archive] - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

"You are correct that your axle is NOT the "one time use" axle that everyone thinks it is. The axles with the bolt on brake are the utility version which was very similar to the true mobile home axle with the weld on brake."

First thing I did was peak under it and looked at the axle. The brake plates are NOT welded, they are bolted up to the flange. Not sure who made the axles, but they are not mobile home. I suppose that is where the confusion lies with people. They see the Dayton type wheel in 14.5 inch and automatically assume it is a mobile home axle (since most people see those type of hubs on MH axles.

I did research before actually bidding. I found a nice website that I can get lots of info and parts. I think my local dealer is a little high on trailer parts prices.....

Side question- this is my first trailer (other then semi trucks) that fit behind a pickup. Does the tonnage go with the trailer renewal or does it go with the tow vehicle???

 

[schmism]

Side question- this is my first trailer (other then semi trucks) that fit behind a pickup. Does the tonnage go with the trailer renewal or does it go with the tow vehicle???

I just got back from the IL DMV getting plates for my new 10K trailer. the license guy had a sheet with trailer capacities on it and kept reading down it till i said yes. "is it less than 3500lbs, is it between 3500-5000 is it between 5000-8000 lbs etc"

I mattered how it was tagged. No mention was ever made of what i tow it behind other than when he gave me the registration he said to put it in whatever vehicle was towing it at the time.

 

[brokenot]

brokenot not sure if you are interested in what Dexter states or not. Common sense would indicate a 6K rated axle is just that.

Common sense? Puh-leeeze.

They may be rated for 6K, but it's LIMITED USE. Why the "limited use" designation? If you want the straight scoop on Dexter's line of axles, you can go directly to THEIR site. There's no need to go searching for a reply on another message board that aligns with your thinking.

direct from Dexter's site:

AXLES - Can mobile home axles be reused?
The Dexter MH (mobile home) type axle is designed for limited usage in the delivery of manufactured homes and has a one-time limit use. The axle has steel forged spindles that are not precision ground. The brake assembly is welded onto the beam and not intended to be field replaced. Additionally, the bearing package is smaller than the more expensive service type axle. Most MH axles are also equipped with a single leaf spring suspension for very heavy loads. We do not have components that would convert MH axles to serviceable assemblies.

Here's a link:

Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - FAQ'S

 

[Toyboy]

Can't be much clearer than that..

 

[Kaliburz]

Yup, found that Dexter site too. I would hate to even try to guess how many trailers out there were built with mobile home axles.

If the MH axles are one time use only, I'm quite sure that there are more then one outfit that reuses them to move MH. Especially private movers. Usually everything comes down to cost in the end....

Heck, I bought a custom made tandem converter dolly a few yeas back. It was the sliding assembly off of a refrigerated trailer!!! It was actually made quite well- looks like who ever did it tracked down commercial pivots for the V toung and it's also adjustable length.