Trailer deck construction

[CraigM]

I have found a source of trailer frames. They are two I-beams on axles that were used to haul modular houses. I'm looking at using one to build a goose neck trailer to haul a 10,000# tractor. Most of the ones I see have 2x6 decking fastened to cross beams that sit on the main frame. Does anyone know how heavy the cross members underneath are, and at what spacing?

 

[Case485Guy]

I always had 5" side rails with 4" crossmembers on 16" centers. Over the length of the tandems I would have 12" centers, but you will have to cut some just the width of the I-beams..do not put them over the tires.Loaded heavy you will have clearance issues. I did the 12" for heavy loads with a small foot print. Used stake pockets on 24" center with a pipe spool(1" or so dia. pipe) 12" between stake pockets and 3" x 3/8" flatbar for the rub rail.

 

[600rider]

Better check with your DMV, here in PA it is illegal to use house trailer axles for that type of trailer.

 

[Johnp33]

Better check with your DMV, here in PA it is illegal to use house trailer axles for that type of trailer.

Our area as well!

 

[Case485Guy]

Would not be hard to electric brakes if the axles do not have them. Thats the only reason I could see for not being legal... No brakes

 

[washita]

Indiana and Michigan are the same way no mobile home axles allowed for equipment hauling I had to retire my homebuilt trailer for this reason , I was told the reason is the type of rims used tend to bend and twist allowing them to loosen up then come off the axle during transport

 

[jenkinsph]

I have found a source of trailer frames. They are two I-beams on axles that were used to haul modular houses. I'm looking at using one to build a goose neck trailer to haul a 10,000# tractor. Most of the ones I see have 2x6 decking fastened to cross beams that sit on the main frame. Does anyone know how heavy the cross members underneath are, and at what spacing?

To haul a 10k tractor I would want to use a junior I beam frame with 4" channel cross members (5.4lbs/ft) spaced about 16 to 20 inches apart. I have built gooseneck equipment trailers in the past with house trailer axles but wouldn't do this now. With all the work going into this build I would buy something else more suitable. Make sure you check the laws out on this build size as some states limit the trailer weight capacity for home or shop built.

 

[Johnp33]

Most of the axles used for mobile homes are a single use unit, the bearings have no numbers the stubs are of inferior materials.
Most areas have a place nearby that builds axles for custom fitting, they would have all the answers.
That is the kind of thing that will get you in deep trouble if you were to use them.

 

[BHD]

my old 24 foot trailer had 3" channel irons, about ever 3 foot, when we rebuilt it we added a channel iron inbetween, each that were factory,

my thought was if the deck breaks and a tire fall in between the channels what a mess to get what ever it is off the trailler, and if it happened when loading or unloading it would really be a mess,

my son in time found some plate and covered it in steel, (he used it for scrap iron) and the steel deck was a big help even tho it is heavy,

he also moves a large 4X4 fork lift on it.

 

[Egon]

By the time you install new axles, cross members, perhaps beef up the main channels, put on lights, fenders and deck why not just buy an engineered trailer that will meet codes??:thumbsup:

Oh, forgot the ramps and jacks.

 

[brokenot]

In addition to the other caveats mentioned, how do you plan on registering/licensing it? If it's a bare channel frame with axles, it probably has no VIN. Without a VIN, it can't be registered....nor insured.

If you fix it up and want to register it, it will have to have everything the DOT requires, because it's going to need to pass an inspection to be issued a VIN.

Just so you know, one common stumbling block with MH axles is the width. In most states, the maximum trailer width dimension is 102". Yes, you can cut the axles and splice them back together, but that also means your spring perches aren't going to line up with the trailer frame any more....so they'll have to be moved.

If MH components were high quality, AND you had a lot of free time....it might be a worthwhile endeavor. MH stuff is not high quality stuff though. You'll surely be told otherwise, but there's plenty of evidence straight from the manufacturers that says otherwise.

Simply stated, the same manufacturers that build MH axles also build *real* trailer axles that are suited for daily use. There would be no reason whatsoever to separate their product lines into two categories.....if the MH stuff was up to the task.