Trailer Axles

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Mobile home axles can be had cheap, and they have a pretty high load rating for their size and weight. The reason for this is that their axle, spindles, tires, wheels, bearings, etc. are not rated using the same standards that are used for "regular" trailer components. Mobile home running gear ratings are based on the assumption that the axle assembly will have a limited lifetime/usage.

I can't confirm this, but I have been told that a trailer equipped with mobile home axle(s) violates federal DOT regulations. That being true, any motor freight officer, or even an observant patrol cop, could have your trailer taken out of service on the spot.

A friend of mine made a very nice trailer using a pair of mobile home axles. Everything was fine at first, but it didn't take long before wheel bearings, wheels, and tires began to fail. And of course, this always happens when the trailer is loaded and you're a long way from tools, parts, and a familiar face. Good luck...Al English

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Try Big Tex Trailers as they have alot of local shops. They sell parts(axles) as well as trailers. Prices are good.

www.southwestwheel.com is another good one in Texas but only two shops, Lubbuck and Dallas. Prices are good.

T_Bone

• Big Tex Trailers

Most of the tag-a-long's as we call 'em, (those with a GVW under 20k fitted with a goose neck 5th wheel or pintle hitch) use standard 16" HD trailer tires. Here's the kicker, you can usually buy these axles complete with suspensions and brakes brand new for less money and time than you'll put into used ones. I get them through a local supplier of semi-trailer parts for reasonable prices. For instance, I built a 18k GVW drop deck 5th wheel w/ tandem axles about three years ago. The used axles I found were $650 each and I had to remove them from the wrecked trailer myself. Brakes needed to be replaced and wires repaired. I bought two new axles complete with the wiring kit, dual tires and wheels, springs, ect. ready to install for $2200. The cost and time to repair the used axles and springs would have added up to around $1800 in addition to the cost of the axles.

Definitely want to stay away from mobile home/manufactured home axles. Like someone else said, "one time use" otherwise known as "cheap crap". They are great for using on dollies used around the shop like I have for setting dump bodies on while working on the truck chassis and so forth but not for road use at all. It also does not pay to try and retro-fit these axles with new spindles and springs because you are back to the cost/time problem again leading into more than just buying quality new parts for the job.

I would suggest pricing new parts first then seeing what will be the better value for you. Secondly, I would also look for a used trailer in the size you want. Many times you can get a decent price on one and put some money into fixing it up without coming close to the cost of building a new one from scratch.