HOMEMADE DECKOVER TRAILER BUILD FOR UNDER $1500! PT1

[@SuperScooby70]

I wish I had known this info about swapping to an 8 lug hub was possible if those criteria were met. Last fall I threw away 16 brand new mobile home axles because nobody wants to run the 14.5 tires. Had I known the bearing sizes you pointed out I potentially threw away a pile of money

[@sheilamclaughlin963]

5 bolt is more likely, I think could pick the bolt pattern for the wheels u want, 10 ply 15” tires will haul it around with less trouble

[@lulawilliams6442]

​@@sheilamclaughlin963 assure 1e2r war😢 and

[@riverflyswatter]

Love the rag over the hub bolt to keep the wrench grease free.

[@dirkkelly9596]

Looks like you have some nice pieces to get started with. Mrs Smith is even kind when tripping over your treasures…that’s a great lady 👍👍

[@ptaszek1983]

Such nice scenery!!! Thank you for the lesson on hubs etc :)

[@lawrenceashworth7668]

I am looking forward to watching you fabricate this new trailer. I absolutely love those videos!

[@eddiepatterson5025]

I like the scenery myself. Thank you sharing the information on the axles learned something new I never have thought of. Thank you and may y’all have a Blessed One Sir. Looking forward to seeing this new build.

[@sideview79]

I ran old mh axles on a trailer for years and had no issues with em....kind of a rough ride empty with 100 lbs of air in the 14.5's but they handle a ton of weight ! Alot of ppl think they are mh only tires but they came out on lowboy trailers too ! Can't wait to see the build unfold !

[@j.c.smithprojects]

yes. they were very popular with equipment trailers for quite some time. i have not decided which way i will go yet.

[@sideview79]

The height is great but harder to find the tires out on the road but thats not that big of a deal with a spare or two !

[@j.c.smithprojects]

that was exactly my thought. if i use the 14.5 tires, i will swap all of them out to the 3500lbs capacity trailer use tires. use 4 for two of the axles and carry 2 spares.

[@a_new_leaf_eric5828]

Good information about the axel. Thanks. following build

[@richardhoneywell7411]

Great video J.C. looking forward to this trailer build. Thanks for the axle lesson learned something new from your video about the dimension and load rating of the axles stay safe J.C.Smith.

[@peewee.3138]

What an awesome place on the river

[@morgansword]

I never had the knowledge of axles that you have, I still used them to make axles for really light weight trailers. Plus if I went over ten miles from home, I was pushing my luck just using them because all of my skills at the time were still a Learning Stage of my growing up. I kind of wonder if those axles I used were much worse or even near as good as these axles because the newest axle I ever got to use was still in the fifties. This makes me wish even more that I wasn't a damn cripple setting in a chair. Being in your seventies ain't the hard part cause this keeps me in the loop of building by watching you (wishing we had you tube back then/lol) I just know that doing stuff like this is a job from home thing that done right, would put a dollar or three in the bank instead of SSI and a little pride in the spending those dollars

[@machinist5828]

I personally would keep the center of gravity as low as possible. I have run into trailers that were just about to tall to be practical or safe. There is nothing more terrifying than having a trailer dance the twist. Later on if you want to gather the 8 lug hubs and 16 inch rims on the cheap to sell the trailer for more, that will be fine. Build the trailer you need for now. That Gradall is the best money you have ever spent. It is the closest thing to a Swiss army knife on wheels you can get. String a fine piece of wire tightly between the forks and you could slice cheese with it......... LOL! That house boat was pretty slick. I think I have changed a few tires that size on the EC/KC/RC-135 aircraft in the Air Force. Just imagine an aircraft tire 5 feet tall and that is what the B-52s use. You need a crew of at least 3 to change them. Be safe and have fun! Cheers Terry

[@shorttrackstoriesbyrickcro260]

This was the most informative video of all time regarding these hubs. Change the title and get more views! I needed this information Thank You!

[@michaelparker5814]

That's great info on the mobile home axles I plan on building a shipping container mover so I can put on in my yard as a shed those look like a good candidate

[@Vanbulance89]

Great info JC! I look forward to seeing the build.

[@mraycgz]

I run those axles, Hubs and 8x14.5 tires on every trailer I own. I think 8 of them total. All concession trailers like at the fair. I use the best tires I can get on them and usually they dry rot before I wear them out. Even with constant attention blowouts are not uncommon and they at the least need the hubs and rims painted and inspected every year. I’d much rather have the chrome 8 lug wheels. But I have what I have and I make it all work. I’ve ran across those Mobil home tires before on some rims I bough to have spares, they are junk and should be illegal lol. Edit- I used to own a trailer that had the bolts not the studs and NO brakes. I always wondered why. You learn something new everyday if you want to!

[@j.c.smithprojects]

if i end up not using these wheels, we can get together and put them in your hands.

[@doughboy1966]

One Man’s junk is another Man’s treasure.

[@wazzazone]

Wow Mr Smith I'm really looking forward to seeing the build!!

[@mikesmith8952]

I have an older homemade tandem trailer which has no brakes at all, I found the easiest way to identify the capacity by measuring the axle seals which differ on all axles. I found aftermarket brakes for my axles with self adjusting brakes and installed them, couldn't be happier. Now the trailer is legal and safe! I always carry two spare wheels and tires.

[@jonathanmurphy4562]

Can’t wait to see how this trailer project turns out and to use what you have around is a great idea , always enjoy the content you put out

[@j.c.smithprojects]

i think i have enough pieces laying around to make it happen.

[@tedbownas2748]

"Hard to believe we're out of room here again." Mrs. JC has jokes. 😂

[@kwshilts]

Another great video. Looking forward to the next release. With no doubt, it will be overbuilt, but it be up to your standards.

[@riverflyswatter]

So right. Most people would stick with DOT MINIMUM standards. Love this couple !

[@donaldcampbell5277]

Nice scenery

[@mtndeer]

Great video well done!

[@jondavidmcnabb]

I love the knowledge sharing

[@ydocproductions5593]

This is going to be a very educational build series. Looking forward to it!! By the way I hope you don’t mind me congratulating you a little early on reaching 50,000 subscribers🥳👍!! Couldn’t have happened to a more kind and humble person J.C. Very well deserved!! Take care

[@j.c.smithprojects]

thanks cody. really enjoyed talking with you last night.

[@kenmccormick3052]

your doing just fine with video!!

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

This will make a great build series J.C! 🙂👍

[@ronniewolfe1634]

Ill be following along.. cant wait

[@ricklakes9405]

Looking forward to Part 2

[@brianherron5400]

Have you finished the utility trailer with dovetail on it or did I miss the end of that one. Great parts for a great project 👍. Have a great evening JC.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

you have not missed it. i just picked it up from the sandblaster. update will be soon.

[@darrindunn8707]

@@j.c.smithprojects I've been looking forward to the completion of that trailer build. That trailer series was fantastic. Can't wait to see the finish of it. Can only hope this new trailer series is just as good. Thanks for making the videos. Really enjoy them.

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE VIDEO

[@augustzepeczauer]

Can't wait to see what you come up with take care

[@tomahawksteak6672]

I'm building a atv trailer from a old camper frame. The axles have a dexter tag that says 3500 pounds . But the tube diameter is 3 inches. You got me thinking that they debated the axle with a 5 lug hubs.

[@mackandchezz]

stuff i did not know thanks for the vid 👍👍👍

[@gerlandkent6377]

thank, you for you're video. / I'm geting ready to build the same trailer that you're building. I'm. in the process of tearing down a mobile home for the 3 axles and the frame .

[@themagiccoasterlover]

Gonna be a cool series

[@rognavolter]

I literally just ordered 6k hubs and tires! Wish I found this video first!

[@philgaroni5914]

Good video! You shared more info about these dayton \ mobile home axles than any other video I've seen. Trying to decide if I should resurrect an old utility trailer I inherited that was made from a travel trailer with these hubs or convert it typical utility trailer hubs. Will you be releasing any more videos on this trailer build?

[@LifeWithChase]

My understanding is they will no longer stamp a homemade trailer with those hubs. May be different in Ohio though idk, or may just depend on the trooper who inspects it and how much he cares LoL. Good score on the axles, those are easily converted. All of the mh axles I run across are the really old ones with the small spindle and welded on backing plates, with the mono springs. I think they were 5000-5200lb axles. That's what's on my dad's trailer I restored Last year. Typically All the 6-7000lb axles are same spindle just different axle tube thickness.

[@JohnSmith-lw2bm]

Pile of treasures! She’s so funny.

[@thomaskanipe4615]

Never had very good luck with those types of tires Most are bias ply and they won’t take the heat of the road well especially when they get older I have always wondered if those hubs could be swapped out and now I know

[@j.c.smithprojects]

most people have problems with these tires because of under inflation or overloading. these are only rated for just at 3000lbs each.

[@michaelhartloff3833]

I just learned me something about axles

[@hollandduck79]

Hello from the Netherlands . thanks for the video JC . Sincerely, Hollandduck

[@repalmore]

Something that is pushing the limits of technicality. DOT does care what the axle beam is rated for but the first thing they look at is the tire rating. If there is no tag on the axle beam they will go by what the tires are rated at. Yes, if you run semi truck tires on a spindly little axle like that they will call B.S. but a 6k axle with 7k worth of tires and no tag, well, I don't think they are going to get an ultrasound machine out and measure the tube wall thickness and the like.

[@EduardoJimenez-rk8nw]

WV IS THE BEST !!!! 🙏❤️

[@darrindunn8707]

Are there more video's to go with this one? I only see one in the play list. I really enjoy your trailer build/ rebuild videos.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

yep. tis will have more. hopefully soon. finishing up all as many projects as i can this summer/fall.

[@danielmiller1856]

Cant wait for this series!! I just got lucky and ended up with 120ft of 8in channel from work, was going to go MH axles but none worth a darn where im at so i found camper take-off 5.2k dexters for $350 a pair! Im doing a budget deckover as well so cant wait to get some ideas from you!

[@j.c.smithprojects]

i was looking for 8" channel but couldnt find anything budget friendly.

[@barblemons5397]

When junk still has value it’s no longer junk it’s Salvage 😂😂. Kinda like one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Tom

[@blake9361]

good vid

[@SusanVaughn-v6d]

Thanks for the education!

[@braaapattack2937]

We have a couple of those boat sling things around me, but I live near Lake Ontario, and the Erie Canal

[@staglione79]

Good axle info. Looking forward to this project👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@mmiller1188]

I didn't realize mobile home axles had any provisions for backing plates at all. I've always seen this style axle/hub referred to as a utility trailer axle when it has provisions for backing plates. I've got a small er homemade trailer that I'm running 13s on. 3500 pound axles, 6000 pounds of spring per axle. Weight limit is the little 13s but can't fit anything bigger than them unfortunately.

[@sheilamclaughlin963]

A lot of campers r lighter, u could put 5-6 bolt hubs on lighter axels, we used a tamden with trailer house axels and had too much trouble with the trailer house tires, no miles ect, u can buy those heavy tires that r square and give 10-12000 miles over the 3500 and trouble of regular tires, the hubs r trouble as heavy loads will roll the light wheels over the bolts

[@PullStartStables]

Uses the channel hammer, drops it in the gravel, cuts to hammer on the tire. My kind of shop! 😎

[@j.c.smithprojects]

every tool has a hammer side.

[@PullStartStables]

@@j.c.smithprojects yessir! They don’t call ‘em Crescent Hammers for nuthin!

[@thisismyalt9010]

Hi JC. Hope there is a part 2 for the trailer build.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

yes. things are in the works.

[@garygoodwin161]

Your build on trailer is a real good project on a budget video I will keep watching your videos on it

[@kevinlamarr1424]

I just decided to keep the 8.25 R 15 tires on my lowboy trailer. To go to 17.5 or 19.5 isn’t worth it right now for what I want to use it for. Don’t want to increase the deck height or the cost of the make over. I’ve always wanted to change a fender trailer to a deck over now I get to learn how

[@F239141]

For the future you can run 8 lug hubs on 5.2k and 6k axles. The 25580 and 14125A outer on the 7k has the same inner diameter as the 15123 on the 6k and the LM67048 on the 5.2k. You can also use a 10-10 seal on the 8 lug hubs on a 5.2k it is 2.125ID and 3.372 OD The outer diameter of the bearing was the difference between the hubs of 7k, 6k, and 5.2k. The only difference in the axle itself is 5.2k had the smaller seal surface but the 10-10 seal solves that issue. Obviously you are still limited to the wall thickness of the axle tube itself.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

i have no intentions of putting 8 lugs on a 5200 or 6000lbs axle. i would never give anyone the false impression of them being 7000lbs axles. too many people rely on lug nut count for their capacity.

[@vaughnhill3437]

My dad had a friend that would use a certain type or size of bearings and he could adapt a chevy 15 inch 5 lugs wheel rotor to fit them. I was young and i dont know which one vut it can happen. You can probably make any rotor fit them with the right bearings

[@j.c.smithprojects]

im sure. anything is possible with enough desire, determination and time.

[@johnnydelio7078]

I feel like the 8 bolt plus a dovetail will keep that resale value up...

[@jonescolin126]

JC love watching your videos! Learn so much for your wealth of knowledge. I remember you were saying in a previous video you wanted to get rid of that 4500 and missed your Cummins. Just wondering what’s wrong with your Cummins and if you had fixed it yet.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

it has had a bad head gasket for a long time. then the water pump started leaking. decided to fix it all before it hurts the engine

[@donvoll2580]

Good day from Ontario. Boy very interesting video on ez-lube spindles. Those camper tires are 14 ply are the 8 bolt 14 ply too? Thanks

[@j.c.smithprojects]

the ones i use are load range g. quite a bit heavier.

[@tennesseetrucker9622]

You’re correct. The price of a trailer plummets if it has the mobile home hubs on it.

[@squintin480]

I have an axle question. I bought a new trailer last year and empty the brakes would smoke the tires. Even loaded it could almost stop the whole rig. Now here lately it won’t even lock up the wheels empty and loaded you can feel it slow down sometimes and sometimes not so much. What are some things I could check? I’m assuming the harder the brake controller is set the closer to 12 volts I should get?

[@PontiacPOWA]

considering what new and used trailers cost these days, 1500 bucks sounds like a home run

[@TheIronMedic]

I know that highway... and area was not too far from my house when I lived In PA

[@4X4F250Diesel]

The tires may say 55mph but the deliver guys run 70mph around here. More than likely would have been fine.

[@RuggedArtistry]

Another great video, thanks! Do you happen to know why 16" trailer tires are typically 235 80 16's but the truck version is 235 85 16?

[@j.c.smithprojects]

trailer tires use to be that size but the industry has moved to the st235/80r16

[@henrycarlson7514]

Interesting , thank You . The build looks interesting , and useful

[@harrowtiger]

My eye was twitching until JC refitted the split pin.

[@underoath4177]

Where do find the axle size identification specs and know what to look for?

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

Property values across Pennsyltucky and West "By God" Virginia just doubled thanks to that info.

[@marioprzepiora]

Did I miss part 2, or did you not post it yet?

[@gregbrown4962]

What about using a 20 ft flat bed for the deck?

[@billday762]

Flat spotted tires with electric brakes ?. I had one wheel locking up on mine when empty found the problem to be wire lengths to the magnets were different from the connector plug giving just enough difference to the resistance of the magnet to make it come on a bit heavier. Make sure all the wires from the coupling plug to the magnets are the same length and you should be good to go. (just my experience anyway)

[@j.c.smithprojects]

different lengths of wire to the magnets wouldnt be the cause. in order to make a difference it would have to be substantially long. otherwise, they couldnt feed the trailer brakes on one side of the axle and then run another lead 7 ft to the other side.

[@billday762]

@@j.c.smithprojects Running the wire up one side then jumping it across to the can be a problem. run up the center then branch to each side is what i done to fix mine.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

not done like that by dexter, lippert or any other manufacture.....because it isnt necessary! the amperage draw difference is not substantial enough to make any difference IF your magnets are in good working order. the only way this is an issue is if you have a faulty magnet or wiring.

[@billday762]

@@j.c.smithprojects Sorry to rattle your cage J.C. you are very particular on every thing you do and i don,t disbelieve. just saying what i had happen and how i fixed it. (by the way I,m in Australia and never heard of the manufactures you mentioned) I wont bother to comment i the future, by the way i love your stuff and i cant do it any more because i,m old and broken.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

im not looking to offend or argue. simply state that you likely had some other problem as what you stated should not have cause the problem in the first place. comment or dont. its your choice but if this conversation influences your decision. i apologize. i am a fact of the matter type of person. i dont beat around the bush. i assume that men can speak with other men about mechanical things without concern about feelings or emotions. perhaps this world is more sensitive than i am prepared to deal with.

[@user-ev3xm7np8x]

Did you make a 2nd video?

[@cesmith4566]

I always hated centering them wheels!

[@sheilamclaughlin963]

Add to those ramps

[@patricksydlik1893]

if you have 8 lug wheels and tires, you can buy 8 lug 6000# hubs, for liperts. My dump trailer came with 6000# 8 lug liperts. I should say I believe they are liperts, I would have to check. I have several trailers.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

why would i want 8 lug 6000lbs hubs?

[@patricksydlik1893]

@@j.c.smithprojects At the point in the video where I posted that, you were talking about how you had 8 lug wheels and tires, but you did not want to buy 6 lug hubs and wheels and tires. I was making the point that they do sell 8 lug hubs for 6000 pound axles. I have used 8 lug 6000 pound hubs just so all my trailers use one size tire.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

Understood

[@ianatkinson8464]

😎👍

[@mraycgz]

That thing can hit 250 below it gets to the end of that Ibeam??? Holy cow!! Lol

[@sheilamclaughlin963]

Those little wheels r picky about tighting torque as they crush easily

[@christopherjohnson6056]

👍👍

[@ironworkerfxr7105]

Only difference is the brake magnet 🧲 if the rest is 7k spec.

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

That pile of junk puts food on the table, call it what you will it is this man's living.

[@beardedprepper8606]

This is "Part 1" where are the rest of the videos? I looked in your video list, but I don't see any more videos about this project.

[@karinash9373]

Hey J.C., do you still plan on finishing this trailer series?

[@j.c.smithprojects]

yep. cleaning up all the projects in front of this one first.

[@karinash9373]

@@j.c.smithprojects Gotcha 👍🏼

[@jpag8764]

Funny, when I recently moved, I found out just how much “usable stuff” I had. No wonder it took me a year

[@scottreed5460]

A lot of times they will under-rate those axles because a rating over 26000 lbs total requires a CDL to pull it.

[@j.c.smithprojects]

the only way this would be under cdl is if the vehicle pulling it had a gvwr of 8001 lbs or less....thats not going to happen.

[@figmojustfigmo3820]

Built my own two axle trailer about 25 years ago using mobile home axles. Yeah it worked - but would I do it again? No. And here’s why… Tire shops won’t change mobile home tires. So every time you need tires you end up scouring the mobile home dealers and just buying takeoffs. Which means your stack of old bald tires just keeps growing out in the yard. They are impossible to dispose of unless you unmount them (which is not easy). Let me back up and answer - “maybe” to would I do it again. At the time I built mine, money was tight. It did the job for a lot less money than buying a used trailer at the time. If I was still in that same financial situation and needed a trailer, yeah….maybe I would do it all over again. If I could find a bargain on the pieces like I did the first time. But even then, I wish I would have saved my pennies and bought better axles and just built the rest. And now that I’m older I can honestly say time is my most valuable commodity. I can afford a factory built trailer. And I don’t want the hassle of chasing down replacement tires and dealing with the waste disposal headaches of what to do with the old ones. So no way would I do it again today. But….back then….the trailer *DID* work. And I put about 20,000 miles under it so….your call

[@garrysgarage1958]

Finished yet?

[@jamespimental6919]

The reason it looks like the wheel seal was leaking is because there's way to much grease in that hub. No room for expansion when hot

[@j.c.smithprojects]

i agree.

[@haroldwilkerson2026]

I just found this video and realized I have 6 mobile home axles That we just took out of the mobile home we put in on my place that we were gonna use on another mobile home but that mobile home got sold I will hold that hold so we don't need them And I just got 60' of 5" channel iron

[@michaelhartloff3833]

Budget build just depends on how many lights you put on it

[@drewman_87]

going to finish this Build?

[@j.c.smithprojects]

gathering material now. going to build this for very little money.

[@paullawson718]

boat lift was built by wise handling uk.

[@paulperet3267]

Where is part 2?

[@harveylong5878]

off to a good start JC. Im sure the arm chair experts will chime in with why didnt you just start with a motorhome / camper frame with axles. from experiences here in PA, converting mobilhome/camper to deckover trailer is too much red tape. besides, wheres the challenge in the easy button