1982 1500 Play-Mor questions

[papmom35]

Yea! I have a tongue jack!! I'll chock the tongue wheel too.

[papmom35]

OK, here's the latest. I do NOT have a lug wrench big enough to get the lug nuts off this thing. I found the paper the RV guy in maine sent along with the trailer. here is what he said about the brakes-I don't know if this helps id the axel:

" Would require Dexter #8-245 Hub/Drums and Dexter 10"x2 1/4" brake assembleis as well as 7 way wiring and breakaway kit to make Braking system on trailer. Replaced tires, had rims cleaned and new valve stems (removed tubes)."

I'll look for a lug wrench online or at RV's R US but I have no idea what size to get. Hopefully someone at RV's are us can help. If I could get the spare off the carrier in back I would take that with me but I can't get that off either.

[frank_a]

Can't hurt to pick up a cheap 1/2" drive socket set. Make sure it has a breaker bar, and if possible deep 6 point sockets. Your lug nuts or bolts are probably 3/4, 13/16, or 7/8, commonly included in socket sets for 1/2" drive stuff.

Those hubs (from what I can find) are made for those unusual wheels of yours, in that they have a very big bolt circle: http://www.expediter.com/index.php?rout ... ct_id=6275

Most small trailers are 4 botls in a 4.5" bolt circle.

Also, they say the drums fit a 3500# axle, which probably has a smaller outer bearing and larger inner bearing.

I sure wish we lived closer. All this time on the web I could have looked at the wheel and hub, even removed them and know what's going on!

Frank

[papmom35]

Gosh Frank, I just spent an hour trying to find this and never once came across this site!! Even Dexter doesn't have this Hub on its parts list!
Yes, I wish we lived closer too. It's getting very frustrating. I think I will take my paper dwn to the local RV place and ask them if they would give me an estimate on 3 new wheels, and 2 hub/drum sets plus the brake assemblies and the wiring etc. And I might even ask them to do the estimate with a different axel and not so hard to find parts. Basically at this point, I need to know if I should continue on or sell it. I've got a possible buyer for it-will probably lose money on it as I won't get the transporting cost back or the tire costs back most likely. I'll let you know what the RV place says.

[frank_a]

Here's a 3500# axle all set for electric brakes ($265): http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Standard ... B001MXF18A It comes with spring seats that need to be welded on, no biggie, and it's a 5 X 4.5" bolt pattern, very common. Here's some 14" wheels that would fit th4e axle and your new tires ($39 each): http://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wheel ... 20352.html. So let's see, use the springs you have, no charge, parts for an axle all set with all the brake stuff and three wheels: $382. Someone might charge you 50 bucks to tack those spring seats on, and the parts for the 7 wire stuff aren't expensive really, it's the labor, maybe 100 bucks? I'm not sure as I do all this stuff myself. So maybe all together $500-600 for all new (and very common) stuff that will last for years. And really, in terms of rolling along, as long as the trailer is in good shape, that is all you would really need for many, many years of service. Take care of it and you're home free, or at least home very inexpensively.

I plan on doing something similar when I have the cash, i.e, just buy a new axle like the one above that's all set up with electric brake stuff, just needs the wiring harness. Actually I have the wiring harness now (it's cheap) and will be installing it so when I can afford brakes it's wired and ready.

I think you should keep the trailer and concentrate on getting a TV that would haul it. If you can't afford brakes right away, don't haul it far. Enjoy it, and don't fret so much. You own the trailer, and like any classic vehicle, it will require some investment over time. Be thankful it doesn't have a motor, transmission or differential! Just line out a plan for when you can get what and stay the course.

Frank

[papmom35]

thanks frank-i do feel better now that i've had a chance to calm down. no luck on the TV- the dealer wouldn't do a trade but the whole operation was sketchy so i'm sticking with the dealer who sold me the OB. we stopped in to see him on the way home and he now knows what to look for at auction. We did get to test drive a 2001 Escape and my dad and i were very impressed so fingers crossed. i also stopped at auto zone and pickrd up that socket set. set me back $50 but now i have it. i can't wait to try getting the wheel apart tomorrow. I'm going to probably order the axel etc that you found and ask my friend's son if he might feel comfortable installing it. If not, I take it to the local RV place and have them do it. Thank you for finding that stuff for me. I'll double check with you tomorrow once I find out what size the axel is from the bearing. I just hope it doesn't get too hot too quick tomorrow otherwise I might have to wait until Friday or Saturday to do this (no shade where the paphut is).
Been a long day and will be up early to beat the heat.

[papmom35]

Hi Frank-Well, i got the wheel off (Yea Me!!) but how the heck do I get the hub nut off? It's pretty rusted and I don't have a socket big enough. It's got to be at least 2 inches if not 3 in diameter.

[frank_a]

I have some big sockets around, but usually use a big slip joint pliers for that nut Pam. Monkey wrench would work too. I assume you pulled the hub cap, then the cotter pin, and now it's just getting the axle nut off? Another trick you can use with a castellated nut (like most axle nuts) is to take a punch or big screwdriver and small hammer and catch the nut in the slots and tap it off. Just make sure you tap it in the right direction. Lefty loosey!

If you haven't pulled the hub cap yet, same big screwdriver and hammer tools are used. Tap the screwdriver end against the joint. Sometimes you have to go around it like that to get one part started. Once you get a part started, the rest is usually easy.

So what size were the lug nuts?

Frank

[papmom35]

OH!! I thought that big round thing on the hub wasn't a nut! All I have to do is pull the whole hub off? BRB!!

[frank_a]

The big round thing in the center of the hub is the hub cap. It should pop off fairly easy. Then you'll find a castellated nut held in place by a cotter pin. Pull the cotter pin, remove the nut and presto zippo, the hub will come off and the outer bearing will tumble out.

[papmom35]

Nope, didn't budge. I'm going to try your hammer/screwdriver trick. I'm assuming I go behind the round thing up against the main star like plate?
The nuts were 13/16.

[frank_a]

That is correct.

[papmom35]

I did it!! I got the hub nut off and the cotter pin out. Boy is it ever greasy in there! Now I'm trying to figure out where the axle nut is and what it looks like. BRB.

[frank_a]

Once the hub cap is off, you pulled the cotter pin that was keeping the axle nut (usually castellated) in place. What was the cotter pin going through?

[papmom35]

Pics coming up!! I have the nut off and the bearing was in 2 parts? I see a long number in very small type. Stay tuned!!