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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Mobile Home Axles - got a question !

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Trailering

06-18-2004 03:59:21




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I've read here somewhere that the axles that some guys use from mobile homes on their hauling trailers are either illegal or not recommended for other uses. What EXACTLY makes these a problem? Are they built poorly, weak bearings, designed incorrectly or what? I can't imagine something being manufactured that was OK for one application (mobile homes aren't light) and then not useable for another.

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RJ-AZ

06-18-2004 20:56:20




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 Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to Trailering, 06-18-2004 03:59:21  
The tires are the biggest liability on those MH axles. My brother and I built a two axle 16' goose neck and a single axle snowmobile trailer from three axles my uncle gave us. We have replaced the tires with 14.5's that are hiway rated, I think they were around $85 each and 10 or 12 ply.



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john in la

06-18-2004 19:42:05




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 Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to Trailering, 06-18-2004 03:59:21  
QUOTE (source Dexter axle web site)

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 serviceable assemblies.

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Davis In SC

06-18-2004 21:42:32




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 Re: Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to john in la, 06-18-2004 19:42:05  
John, thanks for putting Dexter info. here. Think about it guys..... suppose an axle breaks on the interstate at 70 mph ????? ?? I know it can happen on anything, but if you are pulling a DOT certified trailer , made by a reputable company, it sure takes a lot of the liability off of you. I once saw a quote by the race car driver Jackie Stewart ... Not exact, but similar..... What you do becomes my business when you get in my lane"... Regards, Davis

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Robert in W. Mi

06-19-2004 16:58:57




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 Re: Re: Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to Davis In SC, 06-18-2004 21:42:32  
First off, not all mobile home axles are created equil. Some are waaay better than others!!!

As far as the good ones go, There are a number of companys useing mobile home axles to build new trailors on. One that i can think of right now is Sturdy Built Trailors.

Around here when your mobile home is delivered, they BUY the axles back from you, and take them to use again!!

I guess if the axles are good enough for them to use over and over, there good enough for me to use over too!

Robert

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Don Wadge

06-18-2004 17:21:07




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 Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to Trailering, 06-18-2004 03:59:21  
The problem with the "many", "not all" mobile home axles is the way in which the brake backer plate is mounted. Has to do with it being welded or not welded. I dont know which but definitely has something to do with the way it is attached to the axle. Also, some of the older (don't know about the newer) mobile home axles had spindles which were hollow and I doubt that would go down too well with DOT. So I think some mobile home axles may be OK and many others may not be. I think the demountable rim is OK but again that may be only some. I think all mobile home axles tend to get painted with the same brush for those who don't know the details. I would think there would be someone on this board who would know this well an able to shed some better light.

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paul

06-18-2004 07:16:01




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 Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to Trailering, 06-18-2004 03:59:21  
Mobil home tires will get you a ticket. They are very poorly made for 1 time use, and are stamped on the side, MH use only. Instant ticket.

The rims are an odd size from MH - I believe 14.5"??? So you need to find spendier tires, or new rims.

The hub/rim is usually different from a regular trailer, so you need to convert or upgrade. More $$$. Some sates don't seem to like the MH wedge rims for anything other than a MH, other states don't care.

On the newest MH axles, they are built pretty flimsy, and may cause you problems. They have really become a one-way, one time deal, nothing extra or beefy about them.

If you haul for a living, all of the above can get you into situations with Interstate DOT inspectors. Maybe, maybe not. Do you feel lucky? Depends on each state, as each one enforces the complicated trailering laws differently.

For use on your local county roads, probably no one will ever give you a second look - other than the MH tires will get you a ticket.

--->Paul

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Bus Driver

06-18-2004 05:22:04




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 Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to Trailering, 06-18-2004 03:59:21  
Not axles, TIRES. TIRES marked for mobile home use only will get you a big ticket in many jurisdictions if used for any other purpose. Axles are reused indefinitely. Use the mobile home axles for your trailer.



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marlowe

06-18-2004 12:20:06




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 Re: Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to Bus Driver, 06-18-2004 05:22:04  
i sure would like to know where this stuff about axles and tires not being leagel comes from ??? both my trailers were just DOT by TWO different inspectors and both have TIRES THAT SAY MOBILE HOME USE ONLY and BOTH passed inspection. they even took tread depth checks and checked ply of EACH tire. i had to show them that each brake worked with the controler and with the brake away. as to wheel wedges if thats the case thete sure are a lot of trucks and trailer that must be illeagel. go to your locale trailer dealer and look at any 6 ton and it's all they have are mobile home axles but the hubs on most are differnt and you can also change hubs if you want. most axles are dexter or hammer blow.

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Doug in IL.

06-18-2004 04:50:53




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 Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to Trailering, 06-18-2004 03:59:21  
I used to have a homemade 16 foot deckover flatbed with a 4 foot dovetail that I pulled all over the Midwest. The mobile home axles under it were so old they still used a regular, 6 hole disc type wheel. The brakes worked fine for years. I did rebuild them once. I owned the trailer from 1982 to 1998. Never any problem with those axles. I hauled lots of 120 bale loads of hay. Also a lot of tractors and farm machinery. I finally sold to a friend because I needed a longer trailer. He still uses it often.

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marlowe

06-18-2004 04:35:49




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 Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to Trailering, 06-18-2004 03:59:21  
have two trailers with tri axles under them and have had them for years both home made only thing i did was change out the brakes with better ones changed the hole backing plate and all 50.00 each from road equipment co. all the axles i have are dexter. both trailers ARE D.O.T inspected. NEVER changed any bearings and haul about 10 or a litte more on them at highway speed every day. only thing i had to do for the brakes was drill new holes to mount the backing plates

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harley1983

06-18-2004 07:41:29




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 Re: Re: Mobile Home Axles - got a question ! in reply to marlowe, 06-18-2004 04:35:49  
I too have a shop built trailer using two MH axles. I built the flatbed trailer, and then side pockets along the sides and back that I drop sides down into and haul my livestock. Works like a champ. Has brakes, and I got the updated heavy duty tires from the local tire store, I think they're ten ply now, and the trailer will probably outlast me. Harley



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