used 3-axle trailer on a HD1500
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radman1
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Price seems reasonable. Triple axles are not the best for all around use, but for limited use, I would not have any issues. I still have one trailer with 6000 lb, MH axles and tires. About 14 years old and never had much issues. The tires do seem to wear faster. However, I can buy like new MH tires from a local guy for about $30-35 each, mounted on rim and ready to use. He has them because he moves MH and takes them off after moving. Changing out the axles is not going to be cost effective. The old axles won't be worth much and new axles will push the price of the trailer too high for resale.
Gale Hawkins
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- 1948 Allis Chambers Model B 1976 265 MF / 1983 JD 310B Backhoe / 1966 Ford 3000 Diesel / 1980 3600 Diesel
How did it look like in person today?
Like radman1 states if the trailer works for you as is (axle wise) it could be a good deal but leave it alone if you would be inclined to rework it in a major way and get you the trailer that is more perfect for your needs.
Like radman1 states if the trailer works for you as is (axle wise) it could be a good deal but leave it alone if you would be inclined to rework it in a major way and get you the trailer that is more perfect for your needs.
the pictures aren't detailed enough to see, but my first thought would be that it's a commercially built trailer, and not a homemade trailer. when people build homemade trailers they often utilize used mobile home axles and end up with trailers of varying degrees of safety and capability. when a commercially made trailer is constructed, the manufacturer doesn't steal the axles out from under billy joe jim bob's house, he uses a commercially built and rated axle. in past years there were many trailers built with the same wheel/hub style that is used under mobile homes. just because they look the same doesn't mean they should be called mobile home axles. would you call the nimitz a boat? if that is in fact a commercially built trailer, then it has trailer axles underneath it, and not mobile home axles.
i have a pair of 9-14.5lt heavy duty low boy load range f tires here that are capable of carrying 3250lb each at 100psi. they look just like mobile home tires and wheels, and they will even bolt on to my homemade trailer that has mobile home axles and wheels. these tires are likely the same ones that are on that triple axle. i find trailers with that style axle to be a great setup for the occasional tower. if you are gong to use a light duty trailer 300 days a year, then i'd probably consider a conventional style for convenience. anyone that would consider converting a used trailer with that style of hub to a standard trailer wheel/hub should have their head examined. you could buy the used trailer you are trying to make for less than the cost of buying new axles, hubs, wheels, and tires.
as far as buying and using that trailer goes... it's probably a suitable trailer - if you were puling it with a ton truck. it really seems a bit much for a half ton. even with the tractor and implements you have now. i'd be amazed is the trailer wasn't heavier than everything you plan on towing. good deals are hard to turn down, but i think it's a little too much trailer.
i have a pair of 9-14.5lt heavy duty low boy load range f tires here that are capable of carrying 3250lb each at 100psi. they look just like mobile home tires and wheels, and they will even bolt on to my homemade trailer that has mobile home axles and wheels. these tires are likely the same ones that are on that triple axle. i find trailers with that style axle to be a great setup for the occasional tower. if you are gong to use a light duty trailer 300 days a year, then i'd probably consider a conventional style for convenience. anyone that would consider converting a used trailer with that style of hub to a standard trailer wheel/hub should have their head examined. you could buy the used trailer you are trying to make for less than the cost of buying new axles, hubs, wheels, and tires.
as far as buying and using that trailer goes... it's probably a suitable trailer - if you were puling it with a ton truck. it really seems a bit much for a half ton. even with the tractor and implements you have now. i'd be amazed is the trailer wasn't heavier than everything you plan on towing. good deals are hard to turn down, but i think it's a little too much trailer.
I appreciate all the input on this one. I chose against pursuing the trailer, did not even go look at it today as I had planned. Kindly let the owners know I felt it was just too much for what I needed at this point and would just have to pass. There were definitely some points taken from all the posts and I enjoy learning from others mistakes and successes.
One of the reasons that kept me from going is the height of the trailer. It does look like it has long ramps but I already have clearance issues when loading the tractor with backhoe on my current trailer.
FYI- The reason I stated that the axles were likely mobile home axles is that is what the owners thought they were when I spoke to them on the phone.
One of the reasons that kept me from going is the height of the trailer. It does look like it has long ramps but I already have clearance issues when loading the tractor with backhoe on my current trailer.
FYI- The reason I stated that the axles were likely mobile home axles is that is what the owners thought they were when I spoke to them on the phone.
Oliver1655
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I have several trailers I have built over the years. At this time I have 3 tandem axle trailers (2 - 20' and 1 - 18') and 4 single axle trailers all with mobile home axles. This is 20 tires on the ground. I haven't had any problems with them. The main thing to do as with all wheels which are not in an oil/gear lube bath or sealed bearings, be it a car, truck, or trailer is to repack the bearings on a regular interval. I like as other posters have said, I can pick up spare tires for only $30-40 per tire in load range E or F (10/12 ply ratings) and only have to be concerned with carrying around one style of spare tires. I also have a triple axle 24' goose neck trailer with "Factory" axles and due to the dragging of the wheels on the rear axle on turns, had to replace the main axle tube as the top of the wheels were angled in > 5 degrees. Yes I used a tube from a mobile home axles and had no problems with it.
That is a lot of trailer to be pulling with a 1/2 ton. Heavy or not. What size engine do you have? A working braking axle on the trailer would be a MUST!!!
As for price, it would be on the high side if it does have mobile home axles. This is simply related to the stigma a lot of people have about them, it does affect resale value. If you can get the price down closer to the $2,000 - 2,200 range I would not hesitate to get and run it with the mobile home axles. 1 - Repack the bearings, 2 - Check and be sure the wheel wedges are evenly tightened on each wheel.
That is a lot of trailer to be pulling with a 1/2 ton. Heavy or not. What size engine do you have? A working braking axle on the trailer would be a MUST!!!
As for price, it would be on the high side if it does have mobile home axles. This is simply related to the stigma a lot of people have about them, it does affect resale value. If you can get the price down closer to the $2,000 - 2,200 range I would not hesitate to get and run it with the mobile home axles. 1 - Repack the bearings, 2 - Check and be sure the wheel wedges are evenly tightened on each wheel.
crazyal
Super Member
I would love to know how people can look at that small picture and say that they are MH axles. My tri-axle has the same style wheels as MH axles but it's commercially made and not MH axles. Secondly if you have a 1/2 ton I wouldn't buy it. My tri-axle pintle hook trailer weighs about 5000 lbs. That's a lot of weight to to move when empty. It's rated to for 22,000 lbs. It also doesn't leave a lot of extra weight for equipment before you reach the limit of your truck.
I think most are going off my first post where I stated they were likely MH axles. I was told that by the owner, who I would tend to believe. Why would they tell me something that might potentially negatively impact the perception of quality of the trailer?
Gale Hawkins
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- 1948 Allis Chambers Model B 1976 265 MF / 1983 JD 310B Backhoe / 1966 Ford 3000 Diesel / 1980 3600 Diesel
myyas33 I have to have found most private sellers are quite honest and will have the buyer at heart too because they do not want anyone unhappy.
Keep looking and the right trailer will appear.
crazyal
Super Member
Most people see that style of wheel and assume they must be MH axles. To correctly identify the axles you need to either see the brakes, bearings, or if you can find it a tag or a stamp to identify the axles. A lot of times deals can be found because the current owner doesn't know what he has, that was my point. If you had said you were told it was home built then that would be a different story.
