Used UHaul Axle?

[Cliffmeister2000]

UHaul is HQ in the Phoenix valley. I saw an ad on Craigslist, where someone is selling decommissioned U-Haul trailer axles for $50 - $100.

What do you think, is this worth investigating?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pts/1681321129.html

[eamarquardt]

As we said in the Corps: "Depends upon terrain and situation".

If the axle is exactly what you need and just needs a bit of cleaning up I'd say, yup it's a good deal.

But:

Are the springs the right capacity? What will new ones cost if required?

Are the bearings and seals in good shape? If not, how much are the new parts and how much is your time worth to refurbish the axle worth.

Are the brakes (including cylinders, calipers, pucks, and shoes) in good shape or will they require refurbishing. If they do require work how much are the parts and effort going to be.

Will the axle be exactly the right width for your planned build? If not, how much will it cost to have a welder modify it if you can't do it yourself?

As you can get a new axle, brakes, and springs for maybe $350 (can't find the quote I got a while back right now but this is close) and order EXACLTY what you want and be assured everything is brand new and serviceable (well maybe as I ordered my axle, they forgot to build it with brakes, sent me the brakes afterwards, and while doing the hub to brakes/brake drum swap I discovered one of the bearing nuts was defective and needed replacing, ha).

Me, I'd rather hustle, do a few odd jobs, scrimp on beer and cigarettes (just kidding on cigs), postpone new tatoos, avoid wild women, and give up the occaisonal gormet meal at Taco Bell and buy a brand new axle, springs, and brakes exactly as I want it.

But, you might get lucky, find what you want in good shape and get a good deal. Go look but: "buyer beware".

Cheers,

Gus

[ERV]

I worked for U-haul back in the day. From what I saw working on the trailers, they were sprung real heavy. I guess they knew everyone would over load them. The other thing was they didn't get much maintenance done on them. I had to move them around to places that needed them, and on some trips I could hear the bearings and would have to fix them in the gas stations drive. The ones with the surge brakes always needed work. Seems like the slides would always rust and the brakes would drag.

Erv

[TwilightLane]

Me, I'd rather hustle, do a few odd jobs, scrimp on beer and cigarettes (just kidding on cigs), postpone new tatoos, avoid wild women, and give up the occaisonal gormet meal at Taco Bell and buy a brand new axle, springs, and brakes exactly as I want it.

Gus

Gus - I want to camping with you brother!!

-Rob O

[eamarquardt]

Just so we're clear:

I love to work! Nothing is as rewarding as a job well done. Just a little to old and sick to repeat the feats of my youth.

I love to tinker and do odd jobs for myself and friends.

My limit for drink is when I begin to feel a buzz, I stop as I don't like a buzz (but I've done more methadone than several heroin addicts combined because it doesn't give you a buzz, ha).

Tatoos are FOREVER, but just for fun ,we went to Venice Beach (talk about wierd people!) and my wife got a henna tatoo we thought would last for a few days. She had an allergic reaction, the tatoo turned into welts, and lasted for a couple of months. I'm more allergic than my wife so I'm not gonna risk it!

Never smoked cigarettes, never will but I'm considering smoking or eating weed to help deal with chronic pain. Will keep you posted.

Have been married to #1 (and only wife) for 36 years this year. Madly in love, I'm not sure. However, we both agree that better the "evil you know" than to separate and start over with "the evil you don't know".

On dining out, I'm easy. Costco hot dogs and pizza, Taco Bell, Der Wienerschnitzel, and an occasional CHEESEBURGER (I'm alergic to beef now) is just fine with me. I love Mexican food and am adept at preparing chilles rellenos, fajitas, enchiladas, and other stuff. Chinese take out, occasionally, is ok too.

I occasionally wear long trousers and a button shirt, and footwear with enclosed toes, but not often. My friends, in seeing me in the aforementioned attire have commented: "you do clean up nice".

But I like to laugh, think outside the box and according to the last doctor to read my medical history: "lucky to be alive".

Cheers,

Gus

[Bob Dodgens]

Gus - I want to camping with you brother!!

-Rob O

Ditto That. I can just hear the campfire chats with you
Bob D