Bit the bullet, asked Chad to tow it back for me, sight unseen.

Here it is:

http://www.rightcoastcrawler.com/billaVista/Trailer/Trailer.htm

Should do the job.

Needs a little TLC...paint, new lights, etc.

What's the deal with those funky hubs / rims / tire size...is that a trailer thing???

For $500, you did good. Those wheels/axles look like the ones you see on very large HD trailers and mobile homes. I'd check the bearings, races, and brakes before I went too far, but it looks stout :eek:

those wheels look like what they use to transport manufactured homes. they break down easy for the return trip after they plant the new house.

I think you got a pretty good deal. Those are fairly common axles and wheels for h/d and equip. trailers. I have a trailer very similar. Id say you have a sturdy trailer, just check it all out.

Those are commonly referred to as "california wheels" depending on the age of the axles in that trailer you may have a hard time finding brake parts. If the backing plate bolts on though, its really easy to get new backing plates that bolt on and use standard parts.

The california wheels are technically "illegal" at least in WA when used for anything other than a mobile home. Something to keep in mind.

Over all, I think you got a good deal.

Travis.

to find some spare wheels...all you have to do is go to the local trailer park and offer someone $5 to remove one off of there roof....we had one blow out last year on the trip from College Station, TX to Montrose, CO. luckily we were near Austin and found a new trailer home lot....got the tire and was on the road in no time....they are the easiest tire i have ever changed...

Originally posted by twaldher
Those are commonly referred to as "california wheels" depending on the age of the axles in that trailer you may have a hard time finding brake parts. If the backing plate bolts on though, its really easy to get new backing plates that bolt on and use standard parts.

The california wheels are technically "illegal" at least in WA when used for anything other than a mobile home. Something to keep in mind.

Over all, I think you got a good deal.

Travis.
I hate California wheels on big rigs. But they're fairly common on ocean going trailers and more so back east.

One thing to remember with those wheels, is when you go to change them losen the nuts, and tap on the retainers with a hammer. Don't take the nuts completely off. This is a good way to loose some appendiges. They will go flying off with some serious force. Those are real common on older heavy duty trucks. We used to have them on our grain truck. Not as bad as it sounds, just takes to thinking when you are going to remove them.

Erin

You gots Mobile Home axles :beer: They arent legal for anythign cept MH's here in CA, but people use them ALL the time for trailers anyway. Good score for the price :beer:

Thanks very much for all the input, guys.

Are the 14.5 tires a mobile home only size too, or is it just the axles / wheels?

Bill

looks great bill.......... did you get your truck home yet????? looks different than i thought, but its close...........:D
hopefuly we'll meet one of these days......:D

I dunno, but I can see that a few minutes with a cutting torch and you could drop a couple hundred lbs of weight EASY ;)

:D

You will not find any replacement parts for mobile home axles, besides magnets. The backing plate is welded on, so swapping in a loaded backing plate is out the window. If the axles ever go, just head for the local mobile home place and get new (used) axles.

Originally posted by FYRMAN
You will not find any replacement parts for mobile home axles, besides magnets. The backing plate is welded on, so swapping in a loaded backing plate is out the window. If the axles ever go, just head for the local mobile home place and get new (used) axles.

Not necessarily true. Some mobile home axles have bolted on plates.

Brake hardware - you can get it all for the mobile home axle. get a hold of Six Roblees (think www.sixrobleescom) ould be able to repad your brake shoes if you can't get new. The hardware can be found but its a bitch.

Tires, the 14.5" tire is ok, but very prone to leaking if left sitting. Something to watch.

You can swap in a whole new backing plate by getting the 4 bolt flange, cutting off the old, welding on the new. Been there, done that. Really, it is cheaper, but probably easier to get new axles. Depends on what your time is worth. Getting the backing plate on square is important, but not a big deal. ;)

The axles, wheels and tires are somewhat mobile home only. But, like I said, you can swap out the backing plates, drums, and get a standard bolt pattern and still have what I believe is a 8,000# axle.

DRM.....ha, good point!

Already started....cuttin' is fun :p

FYI,

All the parts for "utility" ("California") style axles are available from

http://www.redneck-trailer.com/

They have some excellent pdf catologues

Originally posted by BillaVista
FYI,

All the parts for "utility" ("California") style axles are available from

http://www.redneck-trailer.com/

They have some excellent pdf catologues


Really... I'll scan my Redneck catalog where it says that the magnets are the only replacement parts for a mobile home axle.

watch them bearings, a buddy has a boat trailer with MH axles and I put new 14.5" tires on it ($135 each)and found the hubs making noise when I turned them...... $168.78 for 4 inner & 4 outer races and bearings and 4 seals, but he needs the 16000 lb capacity for the boat (13k lbs)

~NaTe

Really... I'll scan my Redneck catalog where it says that the magnets are the only replacement parts for a mobile home axle.

Please do :flipoff2:

It DOES say the magnets are the only replaceable BRAKE assemblies, but they have wheels, tires, bearings, hubs, rim clamps, etc.

And the day I can't retrofit brakes - welded on or not, is the day I quit this game! Shoot - I figure if I can build hybrid 4x4 axles and disc brake axles that never were, I should be able to some up with something.

Nate - ouch - those are pretty pricey. Hoping I can retrofit cheaper bearings and find decent used tires. Thanks again all for the info.

I just bought a trailer yesterday with these wheels on them, the guy just replaced the brakes a little while ago to the tune of ~$350 for one axle! :eek: (5k lb)

Bryan

Originally posted by BillaVista


Please do :flipoff2:

It DOES say the magnets are the only replaceable BRAKE assemblies, but they have wheels, tires, bearings, hubs, rim clamps, etc.

And the day I can't retrofit brakes - welded on or not, is the day I quit this game! Shoot - I figure if I can build hybrid 4x4 axles and disc brake axles that never were, I should be able to some up with something.

Nate - ouch - those are pretty pricey. Hoping I can retrofit cheaper bearings and find decent used tires. Thanks again all for the info.

I looked at and even started retrofitting my mobile home axles with current brakes. Cut off the old backing plate, welded on a new 4 bolt flange, and bolted on a new backing plate, brakes, and converted to a 8 lug hub. When all was said and done, just getting hte entire axle assembly for $100-150 more was worth it to save my time.

Magnetics - replaceable
Brake Pads - Re-paddable (or whatever you call it)
bearings - standard sizes, shouldn't have a problem getting those
other hardware - they are pretty simple, but should you need a replacement piece, shouldn't be hard to find.

OK, I did some research on these axles. Not all axles with Budd wheels are mobile home axles. Some of the HD trailers, etc, have them and Dexter sells new demountable rims for them. Torqueing the bolts is critical, don't ask me what that value is. :D I am yet to take mine apart, so I'm not sure if I have bolted on backing plates or not. They have the 14.5" tire size as was mentioned.

I don't see the danger in them like willymutt mentioned, as long as the weight's off the tire? :confused:

Bryan

Be sure to check out the load rating of the tires. A trailer with axles that can handle 16000# but has tires that are rated probably at less than 2000# each is a big problem if you overload them. A friend built a similar trailer and used house trailer axles that had 16" tires and he trashed the trailer tires and bought good truck tires that had a higher load rating per tire. Also don't try hauling a load without the trailer brakes working/hooked up. Been there, done that and it wasn't fun having a loaded trailer push my 1 ton chevy crew cab dually down hill.