MH axle brake parts suppliers??

[dawgfan]

Where is a good place to get brake parts for my MH axles? I have a triple axle GN that is in need of brake service. I haven't torn into them yet, but thought I better find a parts supplier before I bothered. No local dealer has been any help. The only place I've found and parts is Ebay. I tried ABC, RedNeck, and a couple online dealers with no luck. I've seen that a lot of these MH axles are Dexter, but I can't find and ID plate on mine, so not sure. Any ideas?

[Traveler]

You will probably have to take a wheel off and snap a pic of the brakes, then take measurements of the shoes. Then go back to searching.

A lot of that stuff can be substituted. Just need to find a parts guy willing to look in the book for you.

If you had a pic you could email it to dexter or what about etrailer, have you checked with them?
Seen them advertised, Stopped into a store in St Louis once and they have a lot of stuff available.

[dawgfan]

You will probably have to take a wheel off and snap a pic of the brakes, then take measurements of the shoes. Then go back to searching.

A lot of that stuff can be substituted. Just need to find a parts guy willing to look in the book for you.

If you had a pic you could email it to dexter or what about etrailer, have you checked with them?
Seen them advertised, Stopped into a store in St Louis once and they have a lot of stuff available.

well, I called Redneck trailer parts again, this time got a really nice young lady who actually knew what she was talking about (1st guy just said no MH parts). She gave me all the info I needed, and showed me everything they carry to do a complete swap over. I can rebuild what I have, or change them to 6 lug traditional hubs. I wanted to convert mine to 8 lug axles, but they don't offer then parts, only 6 lug. But for the price of the conversion and new 6 lug wheels/tires, I can just buy the 6K lb axles I want in 8 on 6.5.

Still kinda on the fence though, I'm just trying to avoid any possible problems out-of-state running my trailer with MH axles. There are 101 different opinions on the laws pertaining to MH axles/wheels, and each state has their own laws. I think I will be ok as long as I have the "Low Boy" tires on them, but don't think there is a way to be 100% sure, I've gotten completely different interpretations from DMV employees in the same office!

Thanks for the info though traveler, I'll try etrailer also.

[Traveler]

Been down that same road with what is legal. It may not be legal, but have you ever heard of anyone getting in trouble for it? Wait, not heard, do you know of anyone ever getting in trouble for it?
Unless you are using the trailer commercially it is unlikely you will ever be checked.
Also, with the new hubs on there how would anyone know without actually crawling under there and looking for tags?

Why do you want 8 bolt rims?
the 6 bolt pattern is a standard Chevy half ton 4x4 pattern. So used rims off craigslist are easy to come by.
Also using a 16 inch light truck tire you can get load range D and E very commonly used or new and it is better tires with a higher weight rating than a trailer tire.
I think load range E is 3,500+ pounds, so that would cover the mh axle rating.

Just a thought.

[dawgfan]

Been down that same road with what is legal. It may not be legal, but have you ever heard of anyone getting in trouble for it? Wait, not heard, do you know of anyone ever getting in trouble for it?
Unless you are using the trailer commercially it is unlikely you will ever be checked.
Also, with the new hubs on there how would anyone know without actually crawling under there and looking for tags?

Why do you want 8 bolt rims?
the 6 bolt pattern is a standard Chevy half ton 4x4 pattern. So used rims off craigslist are easy to come by.
Also using a 16 inch light truck tire you can get load range D and E very commonly used or new and it is better tires with a higher weight rating than a trailer tire.
I think load range E is 3,500+ pounds, so that would cover the mh axle rating.

Just a thought.

You r right, I don't know anyone who has ever been stopped, and I probably never would. I think I've decided to keep them anyway, found a guy with a set of brand new tires I can get for $300, load range F 14 ply. Kinda pricey, but I should never have to replace them before I move up to a bigger trailer at least.

The only reason I wanted 8 lugs is because my Dodge 2500 and my bronco are both 8 on 6.5. And I already have the factory wheels with good tires I removed from my Dodge I was gonna throw on the trailer, one less thing to buy.

[Traveler]

Yeah we fight the same thing. We generate so many decent 16" tires and we have so many steel 8 bolt wheels but same problem. Hubs are 5 or 6 lug.
I wonder what adapters would do to the weight capacity of the wheel end?

[dawgfan]

For the $$, I don't think you can beat these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150513571679&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

The brand name is "Quality", ever heard of them? They come with full brakes and slipper springs for that price. They use the same exact bearings as the 6000LB Dexters, with a different brake design. And already 8-lug!

Hell, the new tires for these mobile home axles are gonna cost me $300 alone!

[dawgfan]

I'm trying to rewire my trailer, add a brake away, and convert to the 7 wire. can you direct me to a good wiring diagram for this. I've never messed with them before. I have the standard 2 wire MH brakes. I want to get these hooked up and see how well they work before I spend a bunch of $$ on new brakes.

[Traveler]

I am pretty sure that is standard coil. One wire to ground one wire to brake controller.
Doesn't matter which one to where.

HERE (http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx) is a good page to quick reference wiring plugs and trailers.

Never heard of those axles on ebay. They do look like a good deal. Haven't seen any that cheap before.

[Traveler]

I am pretty sure that is standard coil. One wire to ground one wire to brake controller.
Doesn't matter which one to where.

HERE (http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx) is a good page to quick reference wiring plugs and trailers.

Never heard of those axles on ebay. They do look like a good deal. Haven't seen any that cheap before.

[locopny]

The only state I've ever been checked in is Nebraska. I was pulling a HF 4x8 trailer with the 12" wheels. Right ahead of me was a Grandpa with a push mower on a two wheeled homemade trailer.

Strangest deal....just checked wheels/tires, safety chains, lights and registration of the trailer only. ignored the star on the windshield.

So inspections happen...atleast occasionally. I usually avoid Nebraska now if I'm pulling anything other than a camper.