Trailer Brakes Help

[cedarkun]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and I'm hoping I might get some advice.

I recently purchased a 12' custom utility trailer which perfectly fits my John Deere 855 and bucket (approximately 2500 pounds). The axles are not labeled but seem heavy duty. The tires are rated for 2800 x4 (dual axle). There are no brakes installed. Though I might consider a short country haul without them, I would definitely feel more confident with brakes. I am new to this venture and could really use some wisdom. The research I've done concludes that an axle must have a mounting flange to support the brake drum assembly. I've removed the wheels and really can't determine if my axles are properly equipped (photos attached). Bottom line I don't really know what I'm looking at. Can brakes be installed on these axles? Also, am I looking at the spindle or must I remove more components?

Thanks so much for any advice.

Cedar Nicks
Middle-a-nowhere-AZ

 

[Peter 315]

They look like mobile home AND home made axles...

 

[RalphVa]

Pretty ancient trailer equipment. If you want a trailer with brakes, I think you need a new trailer or at least new axles.

We rented trailers in doing our Grapes of Wrath moves back and forth between OK and CA. I remember the big one behind the newer Olds would take forever to stop, as we had no brakes on it. Good thing we never had to do an emergency stop. Sorta like riding in the back of a pickup. You're taking your chances.

Actually one was taking ones life in your hands with that Olds even without the trailer. Thing did a 180 when slamming on the brakes with me and another time with my father. Awful thing, US cars were before disc brakes.

Ralph

 

[pokey1416]

Get ahold of etrailer. They should be able to help you.

etrailer.com

 

[ultrarunner]

When I faced similar sometime ago I found ordering new axles with brakes put me ahead of the game... at that time it was $400 and change... no idea what it would cost in the era of Covid... and I was able to buy local so no big freight bills.

I still have similar trailers we call ranch trailers or utility... to run a load to the dumps.

Guess the first question is for intended use are brakes required?

Then it would be at what price makes it doable or would you be better selling and upgrading?

A buddy found a cheap setup on a destroyed horse trailer... he was able to salvage what he needed... but required additional labor.

 

[4570Man]

Those look like mobile home axels. Mobile home axels often have welded on brakes vs axels with serviceability in mind. That appears like they were welded and someone has cut them off.

 

[KennyG]

Hate to jump on the negative bandwagon but besides the questionable axles that trailer looks too small for your tractor. I would want at least a 16 foot trailer to be able to adjust the weight distribution.

 

[Xfaxman]

You posted two pictures of the same axle. Front or rear?

What does the other axle look like?

 

[s219]

Those are definitely hacked mobile home axles. Don't know what state you're in, but you may be illegal without brakes depending on the total load weight. Usually brakes are required over 3000#. Good luck!

 

[fried1765]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and I'm hoping I might get some advice.

I recently purchased a 12' custom utility trailer which perfectly fits my John Deere 855 and bucket (approximately 2500 pounds). The axles are not labeled but seem heavy duty. The tires are rated for 2800 x4 (dual axle). There are no brakes installed. Though I might consider a short country haul without them, I would definitely feel more confident with brakes. I am new to this venture and could really use some wisdom. The research I've done concludes that an axle must have a mounting flange to support the brake drum assembly. I've removed the wheels and really can't determine if my axles are properly equipped (photos attached). Bottom line I don't really know what I'm looking at. Can brakes be installed on these axles? Also, am I looking at the spindle or must I remove more components?

Thanks so much for any advice.

Cedar Nicks
Middle-a-nowhere-AZ

The bottom line!
Sell that trailer, and buy a proper trailer to SAFELY move your tractor!