3 axle flatbed from mh?

[Soundguy]

Her's the deal.

about 1x per year I need to move my NH 7610s ( ~ 95hp ) and my jd 1715 batwing together.

I have a gooseneck trailer, but it is too short for both of them together. I did not want to get one long enough to load them, as I'd be stuk ALWAYS pulling the extra 8' of trailer for something getting 1x use per year, whereas the gn at it's current length gets frequent use, and is maneuverable enough so I don't curb check all the time.. etc.

usually I pay to have it hauled.. cost me a couple hundred.

I just noticed a long flatbed that looks to be a MH job.. and it's by the roadside for cheap.. like so cheap it would pay for itself in 2 moves.

any opinions? avoid it? or?

I could simply leave it parked at the back of my farm till needed.. etc. I have plenty of tow vehicle to handle the 1x per year trip I would need it for.

soundguy

 

[radioman]

you know the saying.. if the budget fit the use, regardless of possible issues?

 

[Soundguy]

just checking those possible issues. I've never delt with MH axle trailers.. or trailer frames made from MH's.

I gather some of their strength would be based ont he verticle structure it was built with

soundguy

 

[Bigfoot62]

I just noticed a long flatbed that looks to be a MH job..

By "MH" do you mean mobile home?

If so, I don't really care for the mobile home axles, hubs, tires, and brakes. They are not built the same as a 7500# Dexter, etc.
Nearly 30 years ago, I built a trailer using mobile home axles. I hauled a full-sized tractor/loader/backhoe on it. Several blown tires, broken lugs, ruined wheel bearings, etc. later, I bought a 20k gooseneck. I don't ever want to go back to trailer house axles again.
Just my :2cents:

 

[KRB]

I got a homemade trailer with mh axles. It is 30ft with a dove tail. Used it for years moving hay, a backhoe, and a 5610 ford. It pulls good and is sturdy only problem is lack of use seems harder on the tires than anything. So think about if the upkeep is worth it to you. Personally it's nice to have when I need it

 

[powerstroke444e]

14.5 don't always have to be mobile home axles??remeber 6 tires will cost more than trailer. I also have more trailers than I can count because u can never have enough trailers lol.

I have 3 trailers I use all the time 5+ that don't get used very often.

If it was me and you feel safe hauling your equipment on go for it.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

That's a lot of expensive tires sitting there dryrotting while it sits idle 364 days per year. Seems cheaper to pony $200 per year of tow fees. 6 HD trailer tires will run you over $1000, and you'll likely buy them more frequently than every 5 years washing the $200/yr break even point away. Then registration and property tax.

All said, mobile home wheels and axles SUCK for real regular work. They're designed to merely get the empty box from the sale lot to the trailer park. They're impossible to balance and concentricity is near impossible.

 

[dieselscout80]

http://www.championtrailers.com/Mobile home axles.pdf


http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Trailer/Trailer.htm

 

[Soundguy]

By "MH" do you mean mobile home?

If so, I don't really care for the mobile home axles, hubs, tires, and brakes. They are not built the same as a 7500# Dexter, etc.
Nearly 30 years ago, I built a trailer using mobile home axles. I hauled a full-sized tractor/loader/backhoe on it. Several blown tires, broken lugs, ruined wheel bearings, etc. later, I bought a 20k gooseneck. I don't ever want to go back to trailer house axles again.
Just my :2cents:

i have a gn to do 98% of the rest of my work.. the large MH flatbed would just be for the 1/year move. but I do see the issues of the tag ( 15$ .. and no prop tax her e in fl ).. and the tires setting idle all year though.. hmm..

soundguy

 

[crazyal]

Check with MH dealers. Around here they sell used tire/ wheels for $25 each.

 

[Soundguy]

good point too....

 

[Mikeeemo]

If memory serves; the brakes on MH axles are not designed to be serviced. When you wear them out, you change the axle.

My brother had a trailer with a MH axle, needed brake work, he could not get parts.

Food for thought.

 

[Soundguy]

hmm.. i've had the same shoes on my 16' tandem for near 12ys.. they are just about ready to be changes and have no more real adjustment left. when they get weak again.. i gott repalce them. and that trailer say MANY MANY miles of use. if the mh brakes are only gonna get used 1 per year.. hm.. they might just outlast me..

 

[MillWeld]

If memory serves; the brakes on MH axles are not designed to be serviced. When you wear them out, you change the axle.

What makes a MH axle an MH axle? If it comes off of a mobile home is it an MH axle? I've seen axles from MHs with welded on backing plates and axles from MHs with completely replaceable parts. The latter is indistinguishable (to my eye)from commercial axles of the same size. So, Soundguy, are your backing plates welded on? If not, you may have a fine axle but you will still have the inconvenience of pinch wheels.

 

[Soundguy]

used to those on some of the tractors I own. frogs and all..

soundguy

 

[bcp]

I don't understand the problem with a welded-on backing plate. I've been repairing my brakes for over 50 years and never had to replace one yet.

The problem I see with mobile home axles and frame converted to flat bed is the frame is usually very tall, thin, and flexible.

Bruce

 

[Soundguy]

that's my primary concern.. how well it will carry the weight...

not so much the brakes, that for me, would likely never be used enough to wear out.. or the tires.. which apparrently.. are very cheap used.. even if you replaced them every couple years... heck.. could pull them off after each use and store inside to help them last...

soundguy

 

[JimRB]

I paid $267 for four new 8x14.5 tires mounted on new rims last month. My trailer has one mobile home axle with brakes and an "open" backing plate. The other axle I bent in an exciting slow speed spinout on the innerstate years ago. I replaced it with brand new Dexter axle with a "closed" backing plate. So now the trailer has enough braking power to stop itself. The front brake shoes have been relined once. You just go to your favorite brake relining company to have new material placed on your old shoes. When I was gettin new tires I was debating about replacing stuff to go to a standard 15" wheel but as little as I use the trailer the expense was not worth it. What I have has enough braking power with all four wheels braked that that is not an issue. I did also buy new grade 8 bolts for the old axle as the old bolts were bent, stretched and rusty. The trailer itself is from a local trailer builder and is plenty stout, not a mobile house frame.

 

[slowzuki]

I've got a commercial built 27 ft trailer with the mh style axles but they are not mh axles. Lots of construction float trailers used 14.5 tires to keep the capacity high with the deck height low. The backing plates are bolted, they used the same bearings as 7000 lb axles etc. I've not put a lot of miles on the trailer but the axles have been fine so far.

My only complaint is those stiff tires are a mother to get seated. I've had one with a rachet strap on it all summer trying to get it shaped to seat. No luck yet.

Oh yeah, careful buying tires in 14.5, not all are DOT rated, some are mobile home tires, single use sort of deals. Not really any price difference but MH ones will get you a ticket in some states.

 

[Soundguy]

so far, the revenue enforcers have not decided to check tire ratings on non commercial vehicles.. yet anyway..


soundguy