Trailer Brake Help Needed!

[rah6965]

I just bought an older deck-over trailer to haul my tractor and other heavy stuff. The trailer was made by Hudson in 1978, but it seems well built and actually heavier built than what I致e seen new at the dealers. I removed the old wood deck and figured now is the time to rewire the lights and brakes. It has brake hubs on the front axel only and I would like to add brakes to both, if it痴 not going to be too much trouble or expensive. The trailer has mobile home style axels and wheels, which I don稚 like but probably won稚 spend the money to convert all four to standard style wheels. My question is what do I need to get working brakes on both axels? The one with a brake hub may be repairable, but it looks like it痴 been disconnected for some time. The rear axel has a flange that the front axel doesn稚 have, but it doesn稚 look like a normal four-hole flange you see on most axels. Can brakes be installed on both axels and what would it take. I've attached some pictures that hopefully will help to see what I'm working with. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[radioman]

send a pm to diamondpilot, he most likely can offer some advice.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks Radio Man. I stumbled on this one. Looks like a nice old trailer and man, that thing is built like a _________ brick house. Good find. As for the axles it looks like they welded the backing plates on the front axle and the rear axle still has some kind of odd ball flange. I would bite the bullet and put new axles with regular wheels and tires. But money can be a problem so If you want to use what is there I would first jack up the axle with the brakes on it. Apply 12 volts to the brakes, wires do not matter which is positive or negative, and see if they even work. If so, take apart, clean and inspect, then put them back together and use it with one brake axle. It will probably cost too much to convert the other axle to brake so when its time to upgrade tires, bearings/races, or something else bite the bullet at that time and change it over to modern axles.

Chris

 

[rah6965]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any suggestions for changing out the entire axel with new hubs. Is there a particular brand or type that I would need to use and how much would it cost. I assume I would need to get the axels locally due to the price for shipping such a heavy item. I guess I would also need to buy new tires and wheels for the new axels also. I only paid $800for this trailer, so don't know how much I should put into it. But, I guess since I haven't spent much yet I could make a nice trailer out of it.

 

[aczlan]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any suggestions for changing out the entire axel with new hubs. Is there a particular brand or type that I would need to use and how much would it cost.

Dexter is a good brand, the model would depend on how much weight the trailer rated for.

Aaron Z

 

[wushaw]

Two 5200lb axles with e-z lube hubs, both with brakes will run @ 326.00ea.
3500lb axles 256.00ea.

 

[rah6965]

The trailer is rated 12,000 lbs.according to the nameplate on the tongue and it is also on the title. I guess I would need to get two 6000 lb. axels. The trailer is built heavy enough to haul well over that. I guess I could put 7000 lb. axels under it, but the title and tag would still list 12000 lbs., so that wouldn't make much since.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The trailer is rated 12,000 lbs.according to the nameplate on the tongue and it is also on the title. I guess I would need to get two 6000 lb. axels. The trailer is built heavy enough to haul well over that. I guess I could put 7000 lb. axels under it, but the title and tag would still list 12000 lbs., so that wouldn't make much since.

Watch EBAY. I have seen 6K axles with brakes sell for as little as $145 each. Where are you located at? New axles are cheap around my parts due to the volume of trailers built here but I can put you in contact with some good companies. Shipping is not as bad as you may think. As for the $800 price, that is a steal. You get decent axles, new tires, a paint job, and a good deck and you have a trailer that would cost $4000 new. That give you plenty of room to put some money in it. What kills me is when I see a guy give $2500 or more then put $1000 in it and its still a old trailer. You did good on your purchase. And like I said before, you could just paint it, deck it, re wire it, and use it as is with the tires and axles you have but it will be a lot nicer and safer if you do it right.



Chris

 

[rah6965]

I am located in central NC. They make Hudson, Kraftsman & Kaufman trailers all within 2 hrs. of my house. I guess I could check with one of those trailer manufacturers to see if they would sell me some complete axels, wheels, tires etc. at a decent price. If anyone knows of a good trailer parts supplier with good prices, let me know. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Checking with them is your best option. As I said before shipping is not bad but if you could buy direct they should give you a good price. The manufactures buy them by the truck load.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

remember to spin the wheel when you power the electromagnets .. might just be cheaper to get the existing single axle brakes working and see how well it pulls.

soundguy

 

[Egon]

The trailer has mobile home style axles and wheels,

In some places these axles may not be legal anymore .

 

[wingbone]

Were there any axles/tires that looked like mobile home style axles? It doesn't seem to me like Hudson would have used those axles on one of their trailer, even an old one. I guess they could have been changed out by someone after being sold.

 

[aczlan]

Mobil home STYLE axles/tires are ok, however Mobil home axles/tires (which are marked as such) are generally not legal to use on a trailer.

Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

Mobil home STYLE axles/tires are ok, however Mobil home axles/tires (which are marked as such) are generally not legal to use on a trailer.

Aaron Z

MH axles are not allowed in Indiana but everyone does it and gets away with it. I am sure it will only be a problem if there is a incident.

Chris

 

[tlbuser]

Were there any axles/tires that looked like mobile home style axles? It doesn't seem to me like Hudson would have used those axles on one of their trailer, even an old one. I guess they could have been changed out by someone after being sold.

Yes, UTG (utility trailer grade) were very popular and tires are available up to 12 ply and load range G. They require a tad more maintenance (more frequent torquing) just like rim clamp style wheels on heavy equipment.

 

[tlbuser]

My question is what do I need to get working brakes on both axels? The rear axel has a flange that the front axel doesn稚 have, but it doesn稚 look like a normal four-hole flange you see on most axels. Can brakes be installed on both axels and what would it take. I've attached some pictures that hopefully will help to see what I'm working with. Thanks in advance for any help.

Get the casting info off of the front drums and look for info on the axle tubes themselves. Depending on who made them (Dexter, etc.) there are complete rebuild kits and upgrade kits available.

 

[JFS2295]

Getting to this thread late.

You've got the big brother to my 1982 Hudson Trailer. They are built very, very well. Mine is the same situation with the axles. Front one braked with welded on brake backing plates. These axles are Dexters but I could not get the exact same shoe that is used on these MH axles.

Hudson Trailer is still in business and located in Indian Hill, NC, so yours is not far from home. You might be able to get upgraded axles direct from them.

http://www.hudsontrailers.com

Over the years I've repainted mine twice, new lights, new wiring and two decks. This trailer will not rust away like some of the new ones.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Getting to this thread late.

You've got the big brother to my 1982 Hudson Trailer. They are built very, very well. My is the same situation with the axles. Front one braked with welded on brake backing plates. These axles are Dexters but I could not get the exact same shoe that is used on the MH axles.

Hudson Trailer is still in business and located in Indian Hill, NC, so it's not far from home. You might be able to get upgraded axles direct from them.

Equipment trailers, flat bed trailers, deckover trailers, skid steer trailers, utility trailers, tilt trailers, auto hauler trailer, Hudson Bros Trailer Mfg

Over the years I've repainted mine twice, new lights, new wiring and two decks. This trailer will not rust away like some of the new ones.

You have done a nice Job redoing the trailer. It looks like a new one or better. You should be proud of it.


Chris

 

[JFS2295]

Thanks Chris.

Picture is a partial of the trailer but the only one I have since I was trying to show someone over at TheDieselStop how I have my backup lights set up for both the truck and trailer.

Most people are quite surprised when they find out what year it is. But now it does need another repaint as the paint has a hard time holding to the primer in spots.