Gale Hawkins
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Yes it does IF my last post seems emotional. 
Homebuilt flatbed trailer
- Thread starter Whatswrong
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BruceWard
Platinum Member
Brokenot, you seem to have no purpose on this forum but to bash mobile home axles. We understand your warning and Dexters warning and the motivation behind them.
I was thinking about my Dad's trailer today. In the 15 years he abused it hauling 14 round hay bails at a time he bent the channel running across the frame and cracked the welds holding the tongue to the main frame. The axles did not fail. In fact if anyone wants them and is in Cental Arkansas I would be happy to give them to you.
I was thinking about my Dad's trailer today. In the 15 years he abused it hauling 14 round hay bails at a time he bent the channel running across the frame and cracked the welds holding the tongue to the main frame. The axles did not fail. In fact if anyone wants them and is in Cental Arkansas I would be happy to give them to you.
"Brokenot, you seem to have no purpose on this forum but to bash mobile home axles. We understand your warning and Dexters warning and the motivation behind them."
My purpose isn't to simply bash mobile home axles. (If posting information from several sources could even be classified as bashing, that is.) I posted what I did because there's as much confusion here about them as there is elsewhere on the 'net. As far as understanding the warning from the OEM goes, if it's understood here why the warning exists, then what has all of this stuff up until now been about?
Someone, (more than one?), seemed to doubt the "limited use" recommendation. Others then "de-bunked" what I posted from the OEM about the limited use recommendation, and theorized that Dexter and others recommend what they do so they can sell you something more expensive. Someone else said that they chose mobile home axles because they didn't want to spend "hundreds of dollars" on replacement parts for standard trailer axles. So I posted a link to illustrate that such parts don't cost hundreds of dollars. The links I posted clearly show the differences in the bearings and other hub parts between the two types, and the mobile home axles parts are described as "light duty".
After all of that, it then said that I was a troll and was posting info that is "knowingly untrue", and that I was trying to confuse people.
My posts in this thread have been anything but an attempt to confuse people, and they've also not been simply about bashing mobile home axles. Anyone that thinks so should read this thread from the beginning with a fresh perspective. At this point it seems like maybe I posted a little too much information supporting my position, and as a result some folks that perhaps didn't want to hear it have had their feathers ruffled too much to see my true intent.
My purpose isn't to simply bash mobile home axles. (If posting information from several sources could even be classified as bashing, that is.) I posted what I did because there's as much confusion here about them as there is elsewhere on the 'net. As far as understanding the warning from the OEM goes, if it's understood here why the warning exists, then what has all of this stuff up until now been about?
Someone, (more than one?), seemed to doubt the "limited use" recommendation. Others then "de-bunked" what I posted from the OEM about the limited use recommendation, and theorized that Dexter and others recommend what they do so they can sell you something more expensive. Someone else said that they chose mobile home axles because they didn't want to spend "hundreds of dollars" on replacement parts for standard trailer axles. So I posted a link to illustrate that such parts don't cost hundreds of dollars. The links I posted clearly show the differences in the bearings and other hub parts between the two types, and the mobile home axles parts are described as "light duty".
After all of that, it then said that I was a troll and was posting info that is "knowingly untrue", and that I was trying to confuse people.
My posts in this thread have been anything but an attempt to confuse people, and they've also not been simply about bashing mobile home axles. Anyone that thinks so should read this thread from the beginning with a fresh perspective. At this point it seems like maybe I posted a little too much information supporting my position, and as a result some folks that perhaps didn't want to hear it have had their feathers ruffled too much to see my true intent.
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To each his own I say? Factory stuff is nice but its expensive so if money is not a huge hurdle for the project Id say get factory parts it will save time putting a trailer together that's a plus.
A pair of factory 3500# axles with brakes and all mounting hardware is about $500 then you have to buy 4 wheels and tires making the rolling assembly alone close to $750-800 if you are lucky.
I personally have thousands upon thousands of "temporary use" miles on my home built car trailer using MH axles which btw cost me with like new tires and wheels and brakes $75 each 20 years ago, I think you can buy them for $125-150 now? And then I spent most of a day dropping them and mounting them to the frame didn't cost me either other than welding rods and electricity.
I have dragged that trailer fully loaded and empty all over the country never a lick of trouble with bearings, I packed them at first and that was it and I use cheap ole MH 8x14.5 tires to boot. I have felt the hubs at fuel stops when out on the road and I have never felt even the slightest heat in the hubs. I am not going to say they are the best or worst bearings only that they work just fine for this application in my experience.
I am on my 4th or 5th set of 4 tires with wheels at $100 a set and I am on my second set of shackles and bolts that's dirt cheap maintenance for what I have gotten done with that trailer over the years. ymmv
Steve
A pair of factory 3500# axles with brakes and all mounting hardware is about $500 then you have to buy 4 wheels and tires making the rolling assembly alone close to $750-800 if you are lucky.
I personally have thousands upon thousands of "temporary use" miles on my home built car trailer using MH axles which btw cost me with like new tires and wheels and brakes $75 each 20 years ago, I think you can buy them for $125-150 now? And then I spent most of a day dropping them and mounting them to the frame didn't cost me either other than welding rods and electricity.
I have dragged that trailer fully loaded and empty all over the country never a lick of trouble with bearings, I packed them at first and that was it and I use cheap ole MH 8x14.5 tires to boot. I have felt the hubs at fuel stops when out on the road and I have never felt even the slightest heat in the hubs. I am not going to say they are the best or worst bearings only that they work just fine for this application in my experience.
I am on my 4th or 5th set of 4 tires with wheels at $100 a set and I am on my second set of shackles and bolts that's dirt cheap maintenance for what I have gotten done with that trailer over the years. ymmv
Steve
Renze
Super Member
Discussions like here, engineers have had them with salesmen for years, and years to come: Salesmen tend to look no further than the end of the warranty period. Fleetowners look at a lifecycle of 1.000.000km for a big rig or 10.000 hours for a tractor. Thats why fleetowners dont like mods.
When Mercedes sells you an E-class car, the 3.0 V6 Diesel will have 238hp and 520Nm of torque. In the light duty 2 ton Vito van, it will have 200hp. In the medium duty Sprinter 5 ton, it will have 184hp.
Now why is that ???
Thats because ratings are given for a certain application. 238hp for a 1.5 ton automobile which may pull a 1.5 ton trailer, giving about 3 ton GVW, and 184hp for a 5 ton van which is allowed up to 8.75 ton GVW.
And still, the Sprinter with an air brake conversion and 5th wheel, will be pretty much finished at 300.000km. The E class will do 500.000 or more on the same engine, at a higher hp and torque figure.
Another thing closer to you guys: The Cummins 5.9 engine.
They sell them at 180hp for heavy duty tractor use. 240hp medium heavy duty trucks, and 300hp for medium duty use in pickup trucks.
When you believe conspiracies that light duty mobile home axles will carry the same amount of weight over the same amount of km than normal duty trailer axles, but they sell them so that Dexter can sell their premium product for more money, you're totally ignoring the law of a free economy: That law, especially now, prevents any company from increasing their profit margins on certain product ranges, when there are competitors that want their share of the market....
When Mercedes sells you an E-class car, the 3.0 V6 Diesel will have 238hp and 520Nm of torque. In the light duty 2 ton Vito van, it will have 200hp. In the medium duty Sprinter 5 ton, it will have 184hp.
Now why is that ???
Thats because ratings are given for a certain application. 238hp for a 1.5 ton automobile which may pull a 1.5 ton trailer, giving about 3 ton GVW, and 184hp for a 5 ton van which is allowed up to 8.75 ton GVW.
And still, the Sprinter with an air brake conversion and 5th wheel, will be pretty much finished at 300.000km. The E class will do 500.000 or more on the same engine, at a higher hp and torque figure.
Another thing closer to you guys: The Cummins 5.9 engine.
They sell them at 180hp for heavy duty tractor use. 240hp medium heavy duty trucks, and 300hp for medium duty use in pickup trucks.
When you believe conspiracies that light duty mobile home axles will carry the same amount of weight over the same amount of km than normal duty trailer axles, but they sell them so that Dexter can sell their premium product for more money, you're totally ignoring the law of a free economy: That law, especially now, prevents any company from increasing their profit margins on certain product ranges, when there are competitors that want their share of the market....
Gale Hawkins
Super Star Member
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- 1948 Allis Chambers Model B 1976 265 MF / 1983 JD 310B Backhoe / 1966 Ford 3000 Diesel / 1980 3600 Diesel
Well we loaded our tri-axle home shop built 25" heavy equipment trailer that I would guess it to be 30+ years old for the first time since we brought it home a week ago.
We gave the kid's top of the line WM metal swing to a young couple with a young daughter and he was going to borrow a trailer and come pick it up. I got to thinking since the "new" 25' trailer was still hooked to the truck we would just take it to them so the kids could see where their swing set went.
The 200 pound load pulled like it was nothing.
Seriously a great handling heavy duty trailer is something we could have done without but for $700 I thought it was worth having around when we had something that needed hauling. 5 ton tongue weight ability is a plus too to give the truck better ride and traction.
We gave the kid's top of the line WM metal swing to a young couple with a young daughter and he was going to borrow a trailer and come pick it up. I got to thinking since the "new" 25' trailer was still hooked to the truck we would just take it to them so the kids could see where their swing set went.
The 200 pound load pulled like it was nothing.
Seriously a great handling heavy duty trailer is something we could have done without but for $700 I thought it was worth having around when we had something that needed hauling. 5 ton tongue weight ability is a plus too to give the truck better ride and traction.
edenaus
New member
Hi just wanted to throw in my 2c worth. I have 3 mobile home axles rusting away down the back but i wanted to clarify some axles arent used for actual towing but for use at the endpoint maneuvering the mobile home onto site. I owned a caravan park and the tourist accomodation cabins were delivered on a flatbed truck, rolled off via these axles. That said its a solid axle not sure about the spindle. So there may be better axles and lesser ones, Ill have to pull one down and check it out
muddstopper
Veteran Member
I find it disturbing that when a person post important information, with verifiable links to the information, that some folks start name calling. I guess the sad truth is some folks just cant handle the truth.
I have build many trailer over the years. I have used Mh axles on many of those builds. Over time and heavy use, I just had to many issues with the MH axles to want to use them on future builds. The Mh axles are supposed to be rated for 6000lbs and I guess it is sort of like what weights more, a ton of feathers or a ton of lead. At first glance, one would supposed they both weigh 2000lbs so they weight the same. Then one looks at the density of the two materials, those feathers sure take up a lot more room. Compare that to the bearing of a 6000lb equipment axle versus a Mh axle. Both are rated for 6000lbs, but the equipment trailer bearing are larger for more bearing surface and longer wear. Compare the spindles between the 2 types of axles. Even Dexter claims the Mh axles are not held to the same tolerances as the regular equipment axles. Now ask yourself, which will last longest. I am sure that with proper maintenance, the Mh axles will last a long time, but I am also aware that many people will just hook up to their trailers without even checking air pressure, much less inspect the bearings for grease. Of course I have also seen many factory built trailers setting on the side of the road with wheels ran off because their owners didnt check those trailers out either.
I like saving money just as much as the next person, but I also consider my time worth something too. Where in the past I used to use moblehome axles for my trailers, I got pretty tired of having to change out tires because the Mh tires came apart, blew out, or just plain wore out, in just a very short period of time. I especially hated trying to mount the wheel on the MH axle and trying to keep it running straight because of that stupid wedge lug design. I also hated haveing to constantly remove the hubs to make sure the bearing werent running dry of grease and those little grease seals arent worth a hoot for keeping grease in or water out of the bearings.
What really made me change form Mh axles to regular equipment trailer axles was when I was pulling a 55 chevy on a trailer behind a 72 model chevy truck and the MH trailer axle bearing failed causeing the wheel to come off. The trailer jack knifed, throwing the truck off the road, down a embankment, rolling over several times, completely totaling out the truck, trailer and car. Nothing but liability insurance so I had to eat the loss. I escaped with cuts and bruises, and was lucky I didnt hit another vehicle. I havent built another trailer using MH axles since and dont intend to anytime in the future. I sure saved a few bucks building that trailer, but it sure cost me in the long run.
I have build many trailer over the years. I have used Mh axles on many of those builds. Over time and heavy use, I just had to many issues with the MH axles to want to use them on future builds. The Mh axles are supposed to be rated for 6000lbs and I guess it is sort of like what weights more, a ton of feathers or a ton of lead. At first glance, one would supposed they both weigh 2000lbs so they weight the same. Then one looks at the density of the two materials, those feathers sure take up a lot more room. Compare that to the bearing of a 6000lb equipment axle versus a Mh axle. Both are rated for 6000lbs, but the equipment trailer bearing are larger for more bearing surface and longer wear. Compare the spindles between the 2 types of axles. Even Dexter claims the Mh axles are not held to the same tolerances as the regular equipment axles. Now ask yourself, which will last longest. I am sure that with proper maintenance, the Mh axles will last a long time, but I am also aware that many people will just hook up to their trailers without even checking air pressure, much less inspect the bearings for grease. Of course I have also seen many factory built trailers setting on the side of the road with wheels ran off because their owners didnt check those trailers out either.
I like saving money just as much as the next person, but I also consider my time worth something too. Where in the past I used to use moblehome axles for my trailers, I got pretty tired of having to change out tires because the Mh tires came apart, blew out, or just plain wore out, in just a very short period of time. I especially hated trying to mount the wheel on the MH axle and trying to keep it running straight because of that stupid wedge lug design. I also hated haveing to constantly remove the hubs to make sure the bearing werent running dry of grease and those little grease seals arent worth a hoot for keeping grease in or water out of the bearings.
What really made me change form Mh axles to regular equipment trailer axles was when I was pulling a 55 chevy on a trailer behind a 72 model chevy truck and the MH trailer axle bearing failed causeing the wheel to come off. The trailer jack knifed, throwing the truck off the road, down a embankment, rolling over several times, completely totaling out the truck, trailer and car. Nothing but liability insurance so I had to eat the loss. I escaped with cuts and bruises, and was lucky I didnt hit another vehicle. I havent built another trailer using MH axles since and dont intend to anytime in the future. I sure saved a few bucks building that trailer, but it sure cost me in the long run.
sandman2234
Super Member
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I always thought mobile home axles were rated at 2500 pound capacity, not 6000.
I wonder what my "Ugly trailer" with it's 14ply tires and 14.5" centerless rims is rated at. It was a commercial boat hauling trailer 45' long that got twisted, so I made a 20' bed out of it, pintle hitch. I know they aren't mobile home axles, due to the drop axle set up, but haven't seen a "rating" on them yet. Might need to raise the bed and take a look.
David from jax
I wonder what my "Ugly trailer" with it's 14ply tires and 14.5" centerless rims is rated at. It was a commercial boat hauling trailer 45' long that got twisted, so I made a 20' bed out of it, pintle hitch. I know they aren't mobile home axles, due to the drop axle set up, but haven't seen a "rating" on them yet. Might need to raise the bed and take a look.
David from jax
franklin2
Gold Member
I built a trailer with used mobile home axles. They were from a early 80's mobile home(I have heard hints that might make a difference) and I didn't have to shorten the width, they were already perfect width wise, right around 8' already. They actually had stamped aluminum tags around the axles, rating them at 6000 each. I built a trailer with them, and have hauled a lot of heavy stuff with success. That's my experience with mobile home axles, your results may vary.
P.S. A guy I help once in awhile has a commercially sold equipment trailer he uses, the axles use the same 14.5 tires mine do. I will admit, his axles have a full backing plate for the brakes, mine are open in the back, but going down the road his looks just like mine. And there is a local tire store that does sell 14.5 tires new. I checked several years ago and I could get a Chinese made 12 ply 14.5x7 tire for $75.00 each. His original tires on his trailer had "equipment" in the wording, but now he is running MH tires with no problems.
P.S. A guy I help once in awhile has a commercially sold equipment trailer he uses, the axles use the same 14.5 tires mine do. I will admit, his axles have a full backing plate for the brakes, mine are open in the back, but going down the road his looks just like mine. And there is a local tire store that does sell 14.5 tires new. I checked several years ago and I could get a Chinese made 12 ply 14.5x7 tire for $75.00 each. His original tires on his trailer had "equipment" in the wording, but now he is running MH tires with no problems.
nc redneck
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Back in 1982 about 30 years ago. I pulled the axles out of my first home a Oakwood 14 + 56 mobile home. Had a fabricator build a 18 foot trailer with them. I have used it for many years. Sandblasted and repainted once, about 6 sets of tires, added brakes about 10 years ago. Used to buy any old tires I could find but for last 15 years or so bought new G loads for $ 50.00 apiece. For the last 10 years it hauled a Kioti 45 with front end loader and backhoe about 6500LB. Never once a blow out or problem. Repacked bearings twice in the last 30 years. I have by far had more problems with new 5Th wheels and Horse Trailers I have owned. Trailer is legal due to title being from the 80,s .
The place I buy my new G loads from is a major MH axle recycle outfit. They haul 2 to 3, 18 wheeler loads stacked 6 to 8 foot high out of there every day. If they are so bad and cheap why do MH manufactures want them back to haul 30,000 and 45,000 LB down the road.
Just my thoughts
The place I buy my new G loads from is a major MH axle recycle outfit. They haul 2 to 3, 18 wheeler loads stacked 6 to 8 foot high out of there every day. If they are so bad and cheap why do MH manufactures want them back to haul 30,000 and 45,000 LB down the road.
Just my thoughts
tessiers
Platinum Member
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I've got 3 or 4 trailers with MH axels, we are farmers and most hauling is only a few miles but heavy loads. I have a 2 axle 20' deck over, will load 14 rounds on it weighing in at 8 ton plus. Also haul Massey 135, ballasted to over 5k and a rake or tedder on the beavertail. Have hauled it for years with nothing more than the occasional flat tire. Have a 17' low bed haul a small TLB on that with hoe out over the tongue, 17' is way too small. Tongue weight end up being way too heavy for a regular truck but OK for my 1 tons. That trailer I lost the wheel bearings in one time on the interstate, but that one has lots of miles, I haul equipment all over the place. It has new trailer rated tires for road use. Then we have 2 hay haulers both 16 or 18' to haul small squares, stack 180 bales 50lbs each. I am not saying MH axels and tires are perfect for every situation but they have done us well for many years. Incidentally we are exempt from inspection and registration for farm trailers so not sure on the legality if inspections and such. They do not ask for construction details for registration, that's up to the inspectors.
OP
Whatswrong
Gold Member
Well, I see my 4 year old thread recently came back to life ,I haven't completely finished it yet but I have used it .The axles are only clamped to the frame yet I have purchased springs and hangers from e-trailer but haven't had a chance to flip it over to weld them on .Last year I used it to haul a deck for our son's house trailer to town to put on their house about six miles and it appeared to be well on the way to being usefull .This winter I installed unplanned plank for the bed and hauled a load of junk to a pit we have about 5 miles from where I live ,went slow loaded went up to about 60mph empty and it tracked like a million dollars it will never see a free way so 90mph won't be a requirement .I haven't put a load on to see how much flex it had, felt that a waste of time until the springs are mounted later this spring .I built a bit of preload in the bed so will check with a chalk line when I load it .
wareagle50
Bronze Member
Hey yall here is the guy on Ebay i mentioned in another MH axle thread. He has six lug conventioal hub conversions.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/350844744250?cmd=VIDESC
http://m.ebay.com/itm/350844744250?cmd=VIDESC
Gale Hawkins
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 12,426
- Location
- Murray, KY
- Tractor
- 1948 Allis Chambers Model B 1976 265 MF / 1983 JD 310B Backhoe / 1966 Ford 3000 Diesel / 1980 3600 Diesel
Those are some nice hubs if one lives where there is a legal need to covert. In these parts just for you own non commercial with Farm Tags trailers there seems to be little interest in type of hubs and tires.
OP
Whatswrong
Gold Member
I finally got the suspension welded on and hauled a half a load today .I used it to haul my B434 and pto welder to town today about 3 miles ,couldn't tell it was there going slow.
Coming home I had it loaded about a foot farther forward that transferred to much weight to my pickup and you could feel it wanting to bob a bit.
My next job will be to get lights on and fenders .
I have about $200.00 invested at this point so it won't take long to get my investment back in convenience ,I just wish I had it when I was young and farming full time rather than now in retirement but what the heck I'll just enjoy it now.
Coming home I had it loaded about a foot farther forward that transferred to much weight to my pickup and you could feel it wanting to bob a bit.
My next job will be to get lights on and fenders .
I have about $200.00 invested at this point so it won't take long to get my investment back in convenience ,I just wish I had it when I was young and farming full time rather than now in retirement but what the heck I'll just enjoy it now.
wareagle50
Bronze Member
Pics, or it didn't happen!!!!
