Trailer deck construction

CraigM · Mar 8, 2012

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 · Mar 9, 2012

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 · Mar 9, 2012

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

Johnp33 · Mar 9, 2012

600rider said:
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 · Mar 9, 2012

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 · Mar 10, 2012

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 · Mar 10, 2012

CraigM said:
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 · Mar 10, 2012

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 · Mar 10, 2012

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 · Mar 10, 2012

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.