Trailer Axle to Replace Mobile Home Axle on Cattle Trailer

Updated 01/31/2017 | Published 01/30/2017

Question:

I have a trailer I use to haul cattle on and was going to the sale. I lost a tire and hub. When I looked at the spindle I noticed no hole for a cotter pin. So I took the hub of the other side and found it didnt have a castle nut cotter pin or a hole. Just a regular nut. The outer bearing is 4t-lm57048. After reading I found that my axle is a 5200 lb. It has the mobile home type ofhubs. If I converted them to study style can I just drill a hole for the cotter pin?

asked by: Shane L

Expert Reply:

Mobile home hubs and axles are not suited for ongoing use on a trailer. They are really intended just to get the mobile home to its final destination - one trip, and one only.

I cannot recommend drilling a cotter pin hole in your spindle. This would be unsafe (as it would weaken the spindle) and could potentially expose you to liability if something really bad happened (like a wheel hitting someone else's windshield).

The best solution is to replace your axle with one that is intended for trailer use. We carry beam axles up to a 3500-lb rating but not more than this due to shipping weight restrictions. However, we do also have the Timbren axle-less suspension kits which are rated for applications up to 7K.

Please refer to the linked page to see these bolt-on (or weld-on) kits. These are available with or without hubs and electric brakes.

expert reply by: Adam R