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!

 

[3Ts]

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

That axle and hub look a bit odd, like it's been put together from various pieces. I second the idea of getting ahold of etrailer. They do have brake hub mounting brackets that are intended to be welded to the axle, but I doubt they'd fit the configuration you have. Here's what a "normal" axle spindle looks like with the brake mounting plate.

The link below is not working properly. During the initial post it's correct until I post it and it turns into what you see. I can't get the link into this post after trying several different ways so, you'll have to go to
etrailer(dot com) Then to Trailer-axles, then to dexter-axle, then to the picture at 8327816.html

Attention Required! | Cloudflare

You may be best off by replacing the axle. You'll need new hubs, but you were going to have to do that anyway since you were changing to brake hubs.

 

[nisaacs]

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

Money don't grow on cedar trees around here in Arizona. That trailer can be fixed to do what it needs to do. You don't know what the OP's tow vehicle is, maybe it is a mini Pete.

Those axles had brakes at one time. The brake flange is still there with the backing plate or disk brake flange cut off. There appears to be the center of a drum or rotor on the hub, the rest has been cut off. That axle might be hard to ID to get replacement parts.

It might be simpler and just as cost effective to get one axle, complete with brakes and install it on the rear. One axle brakes is fine for that trailer. Most small axles have a one piece drum/hub or rotor/hub assembly. A two piece like those appear to be, are rare and might be obsolete.

If you are anywhere near Holbrook, AZ there is a large trailer supply store there. Auto Safety House or (ASH) they can help you. Here is a picture of what "might" have been on those axles. Also, most axles are set up for under slung springs, yours are above the spring. Make sure the spring perch is right for your application, if you buy an axle.

 

[sandman2234]

In Florida, the required weight is 2000 pound to require brakes. I agree with some, that replacing one of the axles with another axle that has brakes would be a good idea. You can keep the old axle out behind the shop as a spare in case the other old one develops a bearing issue. I would grease the bearings in both axles before I pulled one to replace it, if I were going to save it for future parts or reuse. You might not like the cost of adding brakes, but once you have gotten past that, you will love having brakes on the trailer. It makes it so much safer to pull!
David from jax

 

[Reb954]

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

I am going to differ from some of the others in that those don't appear to be mobile home axles to me. Every mobile home axle I have ever seen was setup for dayton wheels, that one isn't.

If the rest of the trailer is in good serviceable shape then invest in new axles with brakes, springs and hangers. I suspect adapting brakes to those axles isn't going to be worth the cost and effort. Also, note the shims on the hubs. If you invest in new axles you need to determine whether to allow for the extra axle length from the shims or not for frame to tire clearance.

 

[rangerfredbob]

That tractor on that trailer will likely be 5-700lb tongue weight, not too bad, those tractors are tiny, tied down correctly I wouldn't worry about it, but I would add trailer brakes if possible.

It might be possible to adapt THIS to one axle, one braking axle would be better than none...

 

[pmsmechanic]

I am going to differ from some of the others in that those don't appear to be mobile home axles to me. Every mobile home axle I have ever seen was setup for dayton wheels, that one isn't.

If the rest of the trailer is in good serviceable shape then invest in new axles with brakes, springs and hangers. I suspect adapting brakes to those axles isn't going to be worth the cost and effort. Also, note the shims on the hubs. If you invest in new axles you need to determine whether to allow for the extra axle length from the shims or not for frame to tire clearance.

I'm going to agree with you. Those are regular trailer axles that someone has cut the backing plates off with a cutting torch. And fairly recently too by the look of things.

I think it's worth it too look at buying new backing plates and hubs. Just make sure that who ever supplies you with parts can supply the right ones.

I suspect that on the end it'll be just as economical to purchase new axles c/w brakes. You'll need to know the width of the springs center to center and the width of the axle. Any online axle supply should have a description of how to measure for replacement axles.

All the best. And if you go the replacement route don't bother to try to save the U-bolts on the axle. They are a one time use only item and it's far less aggravating to just cut them off anyways. They are also so cheap to replace that it's a waste of time to try to save them.

 

[cedarkun]

Thank you all for your insight. Many things to consider. I'll post the results when I figure it out.

 

[aczlan]

Those don't look like mobile home axles to me, they look like standard 3500# axles.
The bolt on backing plates (most of which is now torched off, probably to fit the wheels that have too much backspacing) are the key.
I would buy backing plates and change the wheels (either to trailer wheels or to Ford Ranger wheels).

Aaron Z

 

[lostcause]

first thing i would do is clean it up and dismantle it to determine the condition of the axle. as others said, it appears to be a standard trailer axle and looks like a 3500lb one. if you aren't familiar with trailer axles check out you tube. it'll make pretty much anyone a master mechanic nowadays. make sure the spindle bearing and seal surfaces are good and the axle isn't rusted too thin anywhere. where the backing plate appears to be hacked off looks awful rusty for an arizona piece. i would swear it came from new england.

if all is good and rebuild-able then you may get lucky and be able to upgrade to brakes for around $200 per axle. assuming you want to comply with the law - i believe arizona is brakes on all wheels if over 3000lb. some states still only require brakes on one axle i believe, but not yours. otherwise you're probably in the range of $350ish for a new braked axle assuming you can get a stock length to be an exact fit.

if the tires are roadworthy then run them until you feel wealthy. $70 each for a new tire & wheel as long as you aren't allergic to imported stuff like some here are.