Vintage Trailer Axle ID

[SaddleBronc]

I'm trying to learn something about this axle. When I search for "octagonal hub cap" or similar, I'm pointed to Ben Hur / military trailer axles, but haven't seen any like this with a standard Chevy 6-lug hub. I know the axle was on this shop-built welder trailer since about 1970, possible earlier. The welder is a 1965 vintage, and definitely was on that trailer for the past 50+ years.

The axle may be much older than that, since the frame section the shackles are welded to is separate from the trailer frame, just bolted on.

I was just wondering if anyone recognizes it or has some ideas. 6-lug straight axle with octagonal dust cover.

 

[4xdog]

I might have called that a grease cap or a dust cap, rather than a hubcap.

 

[SaddleBronc]

I might have called that a grease cap or a dust cap, rather than a hubcap.

True, I've used all those terms in my search...I default to hubcap since it's a cap on a hub. As opposed to a wheel cap, I suppose.

 

[mike93lx]

Is it threaded on or driven in?

Ford NOS truck WHEEL BEARING HUB DUST CAP 64-68 A8TZ-1131-A 7EQ-1139 | eBay

WHEEL BEARING HUB.

www.ebay.com

 

[Bondo]

I'm trying to learn something about this axle.

Ayuh,..... Such as,...... what,..??..??

Trailer axles have used 4, 5, 6, 'n 8 bolt hubs for many years,.....

 

[SaddleBronc]

Ayuh,..... Such as,...... what,..??..??

Trailer axles have used 4, 5, 6, 'n 8 bolt hubs for many years,.....

Sorry, may not have been clear...not questioning the bolt pattern...it's the screw-on octagonal dust/grease/hub cap that has me curious. I've seen quite a few trailers over the years, and never encountered that. I have only found (on the web) examples of similar caps on military/govt trailers with quite different hubs.

Looking for manufacturer, application, etc. - really just for information purpose/exchange. I don't foresee any issues finding bearings or seals.

 

[SaddleBronc]

Is it threaded on or driven in?

Ford NOS truck WHEEL BEARING HUB DUST CAP 64-68 A8TZ-1131-A 7EQ-1139 | eBay

WHEEL BEARING HUB.

www.ebay.com

Threaded, but internally unlike the Ford item.

 

[mikegt4]

I have an old U-Haul trailer axle that looks a lot like that. My brother's BIL worked at a large U-Haul facility that repaired wrecked/damaged trailers and trucks, I ended up with it when my brother moved across the country and didn't want to pack it with him.

 

[nadogail]

Many shop built trailers were built from whatever parts were available. You might find a strange combination of DNA if you were able to do a detailed analysis.

 

[SaddleBronc]

I have an old U-Haul trailer axle that looks a lot like that. My brother's BIL worked at a large U-Haul facility that repaired wrecked/damaged trailers and trucks, I ended up with it when my brother moved across the country and didn't want to pack it with him.

Sounds like a possibility. It seems built for purpose...and overbuilt like things from days past.

Many shop built trailers were built from whatever parts were available. You might find a strange combination of DNA if you were able to do a detailed analysis.

No doubt...I think I'm about out of clues on this end....see the inside of the hub with snap rings holding the bearing race in. Thankfully the Timken bearings and races are in good shape and don't have to fight those races out.

There's also a stamped "813" inside the hub, FWIW.

 

[mikegt4]

Here is my U-Haul axle, it looks to be the same.

 

[The Cobbler]

I was told by a Uhaul Dealer that they destry their trailers at end of life and that they are built in such a way that Uhaul knows if it was theirs. this is a good example of that . I would not suggest you go to Uhaul looking for parts

 

[mikedodge]

I was told by a Uhaul Dealer that they destry their trailers at end of life and that they are built in such a way that Uhaul knows if it was theirs. this is a good example of that . I would not suggest you go to Uhaul looking for parts

Uhaul sells their stuff when they're done with it.
Doing a quick Google search axles similar to the ones pictured are out there including the hex caps. It was probably pretty normal stuff back then.

 

[mike93lx]

Uhaul sells their stuff when they're done with it.
Doing a quick Google search axles similar to the ones pictured are out there including the hex caps. It was probably pretty normal stuff back then.

Trucks, yes, but not trailers. They get eun until they are clapped out, then destroyed. But some make it out there, likely thefts

 

[bigdav160]

My mid 50's Spartan travel trailers have those same hubs with threaded caps. The bearings (2788 and 1779?) and races are still available but not replacement hubs (or replacement spindles). There's a replacement seal that works.

 

[KenC]

I suspect a purpose built trailer axle, not an adaptation of a truck/car axle. No idea of the maker though. That doesn't look like a snap ring in the pic, just a casting with a window to allow a punch to get to the race for removal. Lots of hubs are made that way.

 

[SaddleBronc]

I suspect a purpose built trailer axle, not an adaptation of a truck/car axle. No idea of the maker though.

I agree. To confirm, I found that the centering hole on the wheels is bigger than any Chevy rim - 3.65 inches - which I can only find on trailer wheels.

That doesn't look like a snap ring in the pic, just a casting with a window to allow a punch to get to the race for removal. Lots of hubs are made that way.

Yeah, you're right...I don't know why I was thinking they'd hold the races in when they come out the other way...duh. They are a cast ledge machined to the right depth.

 

[SaddleBronc]

My mid 50's Spartan travel trailers have those same hubs with threaded caps. The bearings (2788 and 1779?) and races are still available but not replacement hubs (or replacement spindles). There's a replacement seal that works.

You nailed it, thank you! Yes, 1779 (outer) and 2788 (inner) are the Timken numbers. Didn't need those, but I sure stumped the auto parts community in my town looking for the seal. CarQuest and Napa had no reference for the National seal number 440298, and tried to get close on measurement but no luck.

I've always thought that a National part with a number stamped was gospel, and a guaranteed reference/match. Not in this case! Maybe it has something to do with the "Patent Pending" stamp on the National part.

Luckily, I live in the oil patch and we have some industrial suppliers. I went to the one Napa recommended and they found an almost exact replacement...just not as deep/thick for the outer shell. They didn't even depend on part numbers; just measured ID and OD and went picking. It was even a cheaper option than the other stores, and it has the tension band, which the original did not have but I'm happy is there.

I'm not familiar with SKF (Mexico), but I'll take it. Their part number is 18817.

 

[quickfarms]

I have seen that bearing cover on older trailer axles

The last one I dealt with the seal, national 6958, was like 1.3” wide but we used the ID and OD to cross to to a current seal

 

[mikedodge]

Trucks, yes, but not trailers. They get eun until they are clapped out, then destroyed. But some make it out there, likely thefts

They sell off their old car trailers. The box ones are a lot rarer to find but they sell them too on occasion. But they usually get destroyed because by the time they're done with them they're not usable.

 

[michaelgarrison706@gm]

I might have called that a grease cap or a dust cap, rather than a hubcap.

I need one

 

[michaelgarrison706@gm]

Here is my U-Haul axle, it looks to be the same.

would you want to sell a "hub cap"

 

[mikegt4]

I am going to use it to build a small dump trailer that I have already designed, it's just waiting for me to get the time and hopefully lower steel prices.