Bus Driver wrote:Mobile home tires are marked for mobile home use only. Some states DMV make an issue about that , some do not. But as far as axle marking is concerned, that is news to me. Where would they be marked durably and legibly for easy reading? Mobile home axles and tires are not left with the unit but are now returned to the factory and installed on new units as they are manufactured- recycled endlessly. The brake parts on my mobile home axles are precisely the same as the ones on the industrial trailers.
Mobile homes are permitted 6000# weight per axle. The typical mobile home wheel is 14.5" and is called a Goodyear wheel. Loboy tires in that size are readily available in 8, 10 and 12 ply ratings. Be aware that installing the 10 and 12 ply rating tires on the wheel with hand tools can be challenging.
I know of no reason to avoid the use of mobile home axles.
I worked in the Engineering Test Lab of Dexter Axle in Elkhart Indiana for a couple of years and for a total of four years in other capacities. I was involved in testing trailer axles and wheels. I also built assembly machines and welders used in the production of these axles. Mobile home axles are not built with the same exacting standards as other recreational or industrial axles. The mobile home axles are built with an expected usage of only a few hundred miles. The spindles don't even have the bearing journals machined. The bearings are just slipped on the raw forgings. The brakes are also very low quality with a short expected life. Mobile home axles usually do stay with the mobile home. The wheels are typically removed and slipped under the mobile home when it is set in place. The whole reason for a mobile home is for it to have the option to be mobile. If the axles were removed and the trailer needed to be moved at a later date, new axles would have to be purchased and installed for the move. There are a few times that the axles are removed but new axles are always used on new mobile homes. If you are building a trailer to haul your Cub and are not going to put a lot of miles on the trailer and your budget won't allow the purchase of better axles, then go ahead and use a set of mobile home axles. There are a lot of trailers out there made with them. I just want people to know what they are getting. If I were buying a trailer and it had mobile home axles on it, it better have a low ball price on it too.
A new set of replacement axles are perfect if you continue towing the same weight.
If you’re hoping to tow more weight and upgrade a trailer axle(s), you must consider many other aspects of the trailer including crucial capacity weight numbers. You’ll also need to beware of tire clearance, tire width, hub face distance, spring centres and overhang, ground clearance, and the towing capacity of your vehicle.
In the London, Ontario area, call or contact Standard Axle, your helpful axle and trailer parts supplier since 1991.
The
diameter of your existing axle tube: Look to see if there is an axle tube measurement (for example, 1.75”, 2.17”, etc.) on the axle itself.
The
hub face measurement:See our diagram below. (The wheel sits against the face of the hub assembly to which the bolts attach.)
The
bolt pattern on the hubs:Take a photo of the configuration of the bolts.
The
spring centre measurement:See our diagram below.
The
axle’s weight capacity:The axle tube’s diameter will align with a respective weight capacity. See our
Axle Capacity Diagrambelow.
The
diameter of your existing axle tube: Look to see if there is an axle tube measurement (for example, 1.75”, 2.17”, 3.5”, etc.) on the axle itself.
The
hub face measurement:See our diagram below. (The wheel sits against the face of the hub assembly to which the bolts attach.)
The
bolt pattern on the hubs:Take a photo of the configuration of the bolts.
The
outside of main rails measurement:See our diagram below.
The
axle’s weight capacity:The axle tube’s diameter will align with a respective weight capacity. See our
Axle Capacity Diagrambelow.
If you cannot find the weight capacity of your axle by these means, measure the bolt pattern on the hub, and know the size of the brakes and the bearing part numbers. Call us first for tips on measuring bolt patterns (519) 451 1116.
With this information, Standard Axle can determine the axle size of your existing trailer. See our happy customer reviews.
It’s definitely time. Replacing your old high-amperage-drawing lights isn’t hard. And LEDs come with so many benefits that outweigh a slightly higher cost. Simply purchase a kit or individual LEDs that hopefully match the mounting style of your existing lights, and don’t worry if your preferred new LEDs require a couple of newly drilled holes.
Different types of axles, the number of axles on a trailer, and upgraded tires determine how your load will ride on gravel roads versus highways. Every axle has a load capacity, the amount of weight it can support. A trailer can only carry the smallest capacity-rate-number of its varied components: tires, axle, or tow vehicle (the transmission of your vehicle is the determining factor of the latter).
The short answer is yes; an axle must have an upward bend in the middle or on one side to deflect the weight of the load. Without the camber (bend) the axle would sag with weight putting increased wear on the inner tread of the tires. When a trailer is loaded, the weight pushes the axle straighter and makes the tires sit flat, keeping tire wear consistent across their width.
Trailer brakes are necessary when the weight pushing your vehicle while towing downhill puts excessive pressure on your vehicle’s brakes. Electric trailer brakes are controlled by your vehicle’s brake pedal pressure, have excellent stopping power, are easy to install, and are long-lasting and relatively cost-effective. Hydraulic surge brakes are engaged by pressure at the front of the trailer tongue and therefore have a little lag time, are relatively easy to install, are long-lasting and handle water well.
Why is the decision between torsion and spring axles a layered one? Because each axle solves different needs, torsion axles provide a smoother ride thanks to a rubberized suspension system and how they mount to the frame, but parts cannot be repaired or replaced and over time rubber will decay. Spring axles are wholly affordable, support is spread more evenly, and parts are replaceable and fixable, but the ride is less smooth. Fill out our Axle Order Form or give us a call.
To equal the load wear, you should always replace spring axles’ leaf springs in pairs. Similarly, if you’re changing the entire axles or upgrading to higher-weight capacity, both should be replaced simultaneously. A trailer with two axles is called a tandem, dual, or double axle trailer and two torsion axles are always called twin axles.
Trailer bounce can be caused by many things: stiff suspension, over-inflated tires, an improperly balanced load, tongue length and axle position, an empty trailer, or towing a load over the axle’s weight capacity. It can be prevented by: redistributing the load (60% goes toward the front), ensuring the tongue weight is less than 15% of the trailer weight, reducing tire pressure, checking suspension rating, or upgrading the axle. Always make sure the correct trailer tire is being used.
According to the Provincial and Territorial Brake Regulations, “any Ontario trailer having a gross weight of 1,360 kilograms (3,000 lbs) needs to be equipped with brakes that are adequate to stop and hold the vehicle.” A breakaway system ensures that if a trailer detaches from the towing vehicle, a pin pulls out of the system, and the battery applies the electric brakes on the trailer, making it stop.
A trailer jack, also known as a hitch jack or tongue jack, has just one purpose; lifting and lowering a heavy trailer so its tongue’s coupler is at the correct height for your vehicle’s hitch. Trailer jacks are not all the same size, and choosing the right size trailer jack is crucial. The weight of the load you’ll typically tow must match the weight capacity of your axles; this number you’ll use to ensure your jack is the correct one for your trailer.
Boat trailers usually have solid axles with leaf springs designed to provide the absorption of a boat’s awkward distribution of weight. When your trailer is empty, the springs jump a lot, making your trailer bounce. Your goal with a loaded trailer is to have minimal bounce for the safety of every vehicle on the road with you— improper tire balance or travelling faster than recommended trailer tire speed may create bounce on a weighted trailer. Tongue weight, meaning you may have too much or too little weight forward of the axle, may be caused by the boat’s motor being closer to the centre of the boat instead of at the back. Try moving gear etc., to balance the load.
A winch strap from the bow to the winch stand or trailer frame can also help with trailer bounce. Standard Axle is happy to help you troubleshoot your weight/balance concerns.
Upgraded axles are a large part of Standard Axle’s business. Upgrades are beneficial and can provide a new life to an older trailer. Remember that the weight capacity of your trailer is dictated by the smallest capacity rate-number of three components: the tires, axle, or vehicle. Therefore you may need to increase the size and weight capacity of your trailer’s tires and get a more substantial tow vehicle if you decide to upgrade the axle(s).