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What have I got myself into this time? (Free Trailer)

T

TractorTucker

Member
I just got this trailer from some relatives who didn't want it anymore and actually parked it in the fence row about 10 years ago now. After dragging it out and filling up the tires with air I proceeded to pull it home and only had to stop once to put more air in one of the tires.

Now I get the fun task of rewiring it, replacing the tires, and trying to add brakes to it. The current axles have a flange that I believe is for the brake mechanism to attach to but since it doesn't have the right hubs to use with brakes I am thinking about just replacing the whole axle.

What I am wondering is what size axle (weight) axle I should use. I don't see a rating on the trailer or current axles to base my decision off so I thought I'd ask here. I know that it has been used to haul at least 5 tons before, but the person that did that is very good at exceeding the maximum weight of equipment.
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Count the number of lug nuts on tire
If my memory is correct
5 lug nuts = 3500# axles
6 lug nuts = 5000# axles
7 lug nuts = 6000# axles
8 lug nuts = 7000# axles

Please double check.
Axle ratings are connected to the number of lugs.

Look at tire ratings too.
 
Since you will need hubs and brakes it should be cheaper to get the complete axle. Get u-bolt kits as well because it's unlikely yours will be salvageable. I would get a suspension kit as well while you are at it. You will need two measurements when ordering axles, spring centers and hub face. If your buying new tires anyway check with the axle supplier on new tire/wheel combos. I used to be able to get both for less than just tires elsewhere.
 

Yea that appears to be a run of the mill locally made 7000# capacity 16 foot deck car hauler.
Probably Dexter brand axles.
Look for a metal band around the axle tube, it will have all the info you need.
 
I've only seen the f150 with 5 or 6 bolt wheels. I'll have to
watch for the 7 bolt. That is interesting.
 
Lets see, new axles,new brakes,break away switch,new wiring,new lights,new tires x4,new fenders,new decking,new springs,o ya mite as well paint it to. WOW a free trailer. Go ahead and do it,alot of us have.LOL
 
You don't need axles. Just buy 4 brake assemblies and four drum-hubs, they're not too pricey. I don't start from scratch ;like you are, but I swap a few out at my landscaping job often.
 
I had a trailer that looked like that, 7k landscape trailer. 2k empty, carry 5k.
I overloaded it and bent the axle.
After new tires, new brakes, electrical work, paint job and the price I paid for it I could have bought a new trailer for just a few dollars more. If I had to replace the wood it would have cost me more than a new trailer..
Owning the landscape trailer taught me I don't want tin fenders. Diamond plate fenders only.
 
The 7 lug Fords were sold as a light 3/4 ton. A customer bought one and the local dealer would not put a snow plow on it with a utility bed. The said he was overloaded with a blade. That was around 2002
 
If you include the value of your labor, making it road worthy could be expensive. Would you have to register it as a homemade trailer? Check what the resale value is for an older homemade trailer, probably less than you will have invested in it.

The sides are lower than a hay rack deck. A low cost solution would be to change the hitch to a farm wagon hitch, add some used LT light truck tires, and you would have a nice yard/farm/fencing/brush clearing trailer that never needs to leaves your property unless pulled by a farm tractor. Also fewer people would ask to borrow it if it is not road worthy.
 
I've got one just like it, Modern trailer, I believe they are 3500lb axles, they also go by the diameter of the axles, you can Google it for the chart. Handy little trailer,it will haul cars the only problem is you can't open the doors because of the side rails.I don't think you would want to remove the rails as I believe they are part of the frame structure.
 
I agree with many of the others. Find some decent tires that fit, and use it as a farm trailer. No lights, no brakes. SMV sign if you want to pull it down the road a bit. Theres a similar road worthy 7k trailer on local CL for $600. I think youll find that youll spend far more than that getting yours roadworthy.
 
Wow. You learn something every day. I thought you guys were loopy, talking about 7 lug wheels. Its amazing what the car companies will do to save $1. But I guess, when you multiply it by the millions of cars/trucks they make, it turns into a good chunk of change.
 

I never had a use for a trailer with sides that being said I brought a 2 year old 6X12 landscaping trailer with sides at a deal I could not pass up Its became my go to trailer.

Its lite built I would put a max haul weight on it of 2000 Lbs. TOPS. Last week I hauled a mower, a golf cart this week 44 rolls of sod I once removed the sod I went and got a scoop of sand.

If it were me I would pack the wheel bearings throw a new set of tires on it and keep it for uses like that.
 
(quoted from post at 21:33:47 06/25/21) Do you know what company made it? I don't
see a band around the axle.
Click to expand...

Is the brake backing plate I see n the pic have four holes or five hole?? Hole #5 will be on bottom.
Four holes is for the 10" dia brakes.
five holes are for the 12" dia. brakes.

Never seen 12 " brakes on a 3500lb axle.

If your wanting to replace everything not welded to trailer frame, buy axle assemblies with springs instead.
 
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