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Trailer Axles

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doorman

07-01-2006 21:32:30

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My question is about mobile home axles. What is the "weak" link that causes the problem with using these axles under a flat trailer? Is it the bearings, the axle itself, or the tire/rim combination? Just curious, I have read posts here that say some states have outlawed them. Thanks, doorman

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Dan in Ore

07-03-2006 04:23:46

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

I ran a two axle trailer for 15 years that had MH axles under it. Hauled as much as 20,000# on it. I'm now building a 5th wheel three axle trailer and will not be using MH axles. I had the axles that came with the frame and am adding one more. I know there has been a lot of loads hauled with MH axles very successfully. I just choose to not go that route again. You can get a 7,000# axle new with brakes for under $250 so I just don't feel the risk (if there truly is one) is justified.
Just my opinion.

Dan

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john in la

07-02-2006 10:05:19

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

This is a real debatable subject.

Mobile home axles are used many times and have many miles per trip on them. All the trailers in our area come from northern Ala. That is about 500 miles away. They have companies that have special trailers set up just to haul trailer axels and wheels. They pick them up and haul back to manufacturer.
A lot of trailer sales places around here sell the trailer and remove the axles to be sent back to manufacturer. Our law states 45 mph for these loads but these guys pull those thing 65-70 down the interstate.

Now in the defense of the haulers; they do have a safety net because trailers have many axles. 4 or 5 most times. This helps with a blow out or bearing problem because you have other wheels holding it up. They also have a escort that can notice tire/bearing problems before it gets real bad most times.
They carry whole replacement axles for problems and air tools to do the job.
It is not uncommon for a driver to replace a tire or even a spindle while in route.

So if you will carry a replacement axle with you and have the tools on hand to replace on the roadside then use them. They are great for around town trailers if you have multiple axles and do not overload it but I would not get more than 50 miles from home with one.

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WvaJim

07-02-2006 09:41:57

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

Welding shop down the road builds trailers of all sizes, I had some trailer tires asked him if he needed them, he said any trailer he built he could not get licensed in WV with trailer axles, DOT here would not issue him new title with old trailer axles or tires, had to be new aftermarket axles and rims. Friend ran into the same problem, built an 18 footer, dual axle and when he took it to get it licensed/certified as a new trailer, they turned him down. Thats just here in WV, other states, dunno.

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Mike (WA)

07-02-2006 09:05:00

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

We have an outfit locally that "recycles" mobile home axles- they pay a small amount for "take-offs" of homes after installation, then they check and recondition them as necessary (or scrap them, if they are too far gone)- then sell them to the manufacturers to put on new homes, and the cycle repeats itself. The average mobile home "trip" is less than 50 miles, so even if the axles are recycled many times, you're still talking about relatively few miles, and they are checked over after every "trip". They just won't hold up to the many thousands of miles we expect from our equipment trailers.

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Keith-OR

07-02-2006 10:20:49

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to Mike (WA), 07-02-2006 09:05:00

Mike, I hate to disagree with you on not standing up after 1000's of miles. We have two Manufactured home factorys here. One is Marlette and the other Fleetwood Industries which both ship to Alaska(up the Alcan highway) and sent homes to New Orleans after Katrina. Friend of mine is trailer toter and has hauled homes up in the Seattle area numerous occasions. The only thing they have problems with is the "tires".

I have a trialer that I build 25 years ago using moble home axles it has been to east coast and back several times. Like any trailer, need to repack bearings and check brakes. The only thing I have replaced is tires. I run Low Boy tires, which is what they put on moble homes 25 years ago. Also you can buy 14.5 tires from Les Schwab.

Also I know one axle manufacture that make 8 hole hubs to replace the bolt & clamp hubs on thier 8000lb moble home axles.

Have a Happy Independence Day

Keith & Shawn

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Tn_Hayseed_cowboy

07-03-2006 13:07:34

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to Keith-OR, 07-02-2006 10:20:49

Keith, what is the name of the manufacturer of those 8 lug replacement hubs ?

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37 chief

07-02-2006 07:55:47

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

I have herd trailer axles and tires can be used for limited use only. How then is it deterimed how many times they have been used? It is my thought that most states will require axles to be of a quality to hold the weight of mobil homes to be pulled on the freeways. I have mobil home axles on my trailer. I installed them because they were stronger and better quality than the stock axles on my Big Tex trailer. I did install new 14.5 tires. Stan

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old

07-02-2006 07:42:52

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

Some people say they are made for one time use but that isn't true. I usto pull mobile homes cross country and when they set a trailor they remove the axles and then ship them back to the factory where they are used on the next trailor. Biggest problem with useing them is the tires and the fact they aren't made very well but if you find low boy tires and also fix the brakes they do and will work just fine

Hobby farm

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jdemaris

07-02-2006 06:00:19

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Inferior quality and Federal Law in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

The axles used on mobile homes are not as good quality as intended for prolonged trailer use. The bearings are smaller per rated load capacity - since there are only intended for one trip. Also, fitting of parts is usually sloppy. A 5000 lb. rated mobile-home axle will not last anywhere near as long as a 5000 lb. axle intended for an equipment trailer if used constantly at rated capacity. That being said - I use them with few problems - but I am aware of their limitations and use them accordingly. Also, I have found that the old style mobile-home axles - from the 50s - are much better quality than used today. Here is a citation from the Dexter axle company: "AXLES - Can mobile home axles be reused?
The Dexter MH (mobile home) type axle is designed for limited usage in the delivery of manufactured homes and has a one-time limit use. The axle has steel forged spindles that are not precision ground. The brake assembly is welded onto the beam and not intended to be field replaced. Additionally, the bearing package is smaller than the more expensive service type axle. Most MH axles are also equipped with a single leaf spring suspension for very heavy loads. We do not have components that would convert MH axles to servicable assemblies. "

In regard to tires - Federal Law #571.139 states that any motor-vehicle, manufactured after 1975, with a GVRW under 10,000 lbs. and driven on a public highway must have DOT certified tires. The exceptions are low-speed vehicles (e.g. farm equipment) and motorcycles. Mobile-home tires are NOT DOT certified. Thus - technically - you are in violation using them in many circumstances. I've never been ticketed - but I have been warned. I have two trailers with mobile-home axles - but they both now have Goodyear DOT certified 14.5" tires.

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Kelly C

07-02-2006 21:12:00

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Re: Inferior quality and Federal Law in reply to jdemaris, 07-02-2006 06:00:19

Been using mine for 3 years now. Ok for what i do. Deliver some hay and trailer my 400 up to the land. Replaced some bearings and need to replace one axle as its whopped out of ballance and vibrates. Have a replacement axel picked it up for $25. Can go threw a few of them for $25 a pop.

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Coloken

07-02-2006 06:09:31

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Re: Inferior quality and Federal Law in reply to jdemaris, 07-02-2006 06:00:19

Hi jd, I am going to asume the the newer axles are not near as good as the old ones were. Sounds like they realy cheapened them down.

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jdemaris

07-02-2006 06:20:23

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Re: Inferior quality and Federal Law in reply to Coloken, 07-02-2006 06:09:31

I've got one pair of old-style mobile home axles and they are MUCH better quality than the newer - including larger bearings. I had a hard time finding wheels for them though. They are 14.5" but are the style of a car/pickup truck rather than the newer type - they do NOT use clamps - they are full wheels where their own mounting holes for tapered bolts. I finally found an old trailer-frame that had them - with a 1959 date on it.

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Keith-OR

07-02-2006 10:27:22

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Re: Inferior quality and Federal Law in reply to jdemaris, 07-02-2006 06:20:23

Also the older Jeep wheels will fit and they have the large center hole, 5 lugs. Which they needed larger center hole for the front hubs.

Keith & Shawn

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Coloken

07-02-2006 06:40:35

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Re: Inferior quality and Federal Law in reply to jdemaris, 07-02-2006 06:20:23

I used one like that on my stock trailer. been running 30 years. Wheels are 5 bolt ford, but large hole. Old Lincoln wheels or Ford bronco will fit.

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Coloken

07-02-2006 05:57:13

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

Oh boy, is this a question. Most people can not live with mobile home axles/tires on a trailer. I knew one custom combiner that used them to tow way heavy combne fron Texas to Montana with no problems. His take was that when you mounted the rim to spin it and tighten it evemly. Run a bit and tighten again. all ways full air. My though is that the tires are just too cheap, made for one run only, have been overloaded and banged over pot holes and railroad tracks til they are just ready to go. I once built a two axle flatbed with them and only problem I had was it was loaned out all the time. My advice though, is don't use them and stay away from them. While I am at it..Modern tires left out in the sun for a year or two or three are just waiting to blow. I have had two tires just leaning against the shed blow. One while I was walking by. Scared the H out of me.

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RJ-AZ

07-02-2006 05:51:12

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

They work pretty well for a utility type trailer rather than for a long haul rig. My brother got a 14X72 Mobile back in 72' and we pulled the axles and made a 16' Gooseneck and a two place Snowmobile trailer.34 years later we are still using both trailers although we have replaced the tires. Must be legal if you can still buy new tires for them.

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Bus Driver

07-02-2006 05:28:50

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

Misinformation seems to never die. My mobile home axles are Dexter. Uses standard electric brake parts, bearings. No law against them at all. Mobile home tires are constantly reused also. But someone wrote into the law that they can be used only for mobile homes. So those tires on some other licensed trailer will get a ticket. Mobile homes can have up to 6000# per axle.

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Ryan - WI

07-02-2006 05:08:57

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

Just an observation... I know the trailer tires are marked as mobile home only (I still use them though) but to my knowledge there is no marking at all on the axles to designate they are from a mobile home.

My two cents. If they are made to be taken off and used over and over again (which they are) then why can't they be used over and over again on the same thing?

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IaGary

07-02-2006 04:15:24

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

The tires that came with the axle are about like that little donut spare that comes with a new car.

They are not made to go many miles without flying apart.

The axles them selves are not to bad.

The shakels that carry the axles are also on the weak side.

Just my opinion. Gary

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Cosmo

07-02-2006 03:45:22

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

I've read several discussions here and other places that it is the tires and/or rims. I really don't know what the beef is. Maybe tire manufacturers bought a law against them. Many around here still use them with no ill effects.

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TomTX

07-02-2006 02:30:06

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Re: Trailer Axles in reply to doorman, 07-01-2006 21:32:30

The "weak link" is spelled "liability", which means you will risk the farm and then some if anything bad happens with a trailer made with trailer house axles. Son't risk it. Tom

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