Welding to trailer hub?

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I am building a swing out tire carrier for a trailer, and am using an old trailer spindle/hub that I have for the pivot.  Tire/rim weighs about 55-60 lbs.  Swing arm (part between hub and the spare tire mounting flange) will be about 20" long.  I'm looking at one of three ways to attach the arm to the hub:1)  remove studs, turn down hub to remove wheel mounting flange, weld (MIG) on swing arm (3x3 or 2x2 by 1/4 sq. tube) with gussets.  Not worried to much about warpage/etc, because it only has to turn 90 degrees or so.2)  cut ring from 1/4" plate, drill to lug pattern (8x6.5) weld swing arm to this plate, with gussets.  Won't be as pretty, because I end up with a 8" diameter pivot assembly, instead of about 4.5" diameter.3)  same as #2, but cut center out of brake drum (3/8" thick) and use as base for attaching swing arm (with gussets), that bolts to the hub.  What is best/safe/strong??I have a Miller 210, welding it is not a problem...just questioning the base materials.
Reply:Forget the hub, get a piece of DOM and have it machined to fit the bearings.  Or forget the bearings all together and get a piece of DOM that fits the shaft.  Add grease zerk and go...My name's not Jim....
Reply:That's what I'm thinking.  I found a bunch of folks online that have welded to a hub, but I tried it tonight, and wouldn't trust it in my driveway. Tonight, I cut out a section from an old hub, welded a tag to it, and knocked it off easily enough with a 3-lb hammer.  I welded on a section of box tube, and beat it up pretty good, it didn't break, but I still don't trust it.Really don't need bearings and super-smooth operation, it only has to swing 90 degrees.  Found one write-up tonight, guy used a 1" grade 8 bolt,, six inch or so, inside a 1.5" id pipe, with a bronze bearing sleeve inside.
Reply:If they are cast iron you can forget about it. I would make a hinge, or use something like a pre-made gate hinge.Have you thought of using the hubs as spare parts in case of breakdown? They can serve double-duty as a spare tire carrier and for roadside repair parts. Trailer boaters use that trick when taking long Baja trips.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny