[87MH]

On ordering the Axles -

I could find NO distributor willing to work with a “special” axle – but the factory was more than happy to process the order – at the posted price.

There appears to be an alignment bolt on the front mount of each axle - so I can't screw up the installation alignment unless the frame is damaged (or if someone elongated/lengthened one of the holes). The axles should be easy to change - two bolts on each side of each axle plus the shocks plus brake lines. In my opinion, the shocks are useless - no other manufacturer that I know of uses them on a torsion axle - that's what a rubber axle is all about - no bounce.

Having said that, I think I will remount new shocks anyway – it won't take much time (just a little welding on the spindle extension arm – FAR AWAY from the rubber) and IF I later decide to sell the Sovereign the prospective purchaser cannot complain about the fact that no shocks are on the unit.

About the choice of axle manufacturers, I went with Dexter axles for a variety of reasons - shipping from Indiana to Texas for the two axles will be $120 – they are shipping today - I had them put both of the axles on a pallet to prevent damage - total weight is 420 lbs with the pallet. I went with the Dexter #11 axles - MUCH beefier than the Henschen. Dexter has a larger spindle, bearing, and a much heavier tube than the Henschens - I will post pics of the replacement here on the '78 Sovereign thread.

Cost for the axles was $550 each (including 12” X 2” drums and new brake and magnet assemblies) - plus the $120 shipping for the two of them, so about $1,220 delivered to Houston. The Dexter #11 axles are a 6,000 lb rating each, and the rubber inserts are cut down to a 3,600 lb rating to improve the ride - I think that the original Henschen axles were rated at 3,200 lbs. If anyone else is considering going with the Dexters they will probably need to shave about 1/4 inch off of each side of the notch for the axle mount on Trailer Frame. The Dexter axle tube is 3.03" square, is constructed of 50,000 lb yield steel, and is about ¼ inch thick, and I think the Henschens are about 2 1/2" square. Total construction and shipping time from placement of order is only about a week – assuming the axles get to Houston in 2 days as promised.

I increased the starting angle on mine from the original Henschen angle of 22 1/2 degrees down to 45 degrees down to allow a bit more clearance on the rear end - I always seem to bottom out anything that I drive/tow. I realize that the center of gravity on the trailer will be raised by a few inches. Before ordering I considered the speed that I drive anymore (REALLY slow), and the projected use (it won’t be on the road all of the time) I should be OK. The decision to raise the trailer was coupled to the fact that I have learned enough through “stupid mistakes” such as driving in rain, snow, sleet, and hail, and taking the down side of mountains and chicanes at speeds just shy of the adhesion limit on a minimum radius turn skid pad circle to SLOW DOWN or WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER DAY. The bottom line is that I drive AT or BELOW posted speeds. I also consider the tow vehicle rating – the actual tow rating is different for just about individual auto within a make or model run – too many variables NOT to check the actual vehicle rating – usually posted on the doorframe of vehicles designed to tow anything as heavy as a RV trailer.

The angle of my axles were about “flat" when on the trailer, and after being on the ground for over a week the angles of the rear axle have relaxed to only about 8 degrees “down”, so I am convinced that the 30 year old axles are shot. All of the axle manufacturers I talked with indicated that the life of their axles (even with the "new" rubber) is only 15 to 20 years.

One other manufacturer I seriously considered was “Flexiride” and had several conversations with the factory engineer on the East Coast. I really wanted to go with the “Flexiride” design as their axles had adjustable starting angles with a spline
and groove assembly. The “Flexiride” pricing also made available a disc brake option for just about the same price as drums. The main problem with the “Flexiride” was that I could not get the 3,600# rating on a “heavy duty” axle. Their 5,200# axle was already cut down from their 8,000# axle, and the engineer was unwilling to shorten the rubber any more. However, I DID like their design, and anyone who either needs or wants a lighter running gear or a 5,200# rating should certainly consider them.

I also plan to install electric jacks across the axles on each side in order to lift the whole thing to relieve weight on the torsion rubber while parked.

The comparison of the three manufacturers mentioned above is based on my personal conversation and observations only. Others certainly may take a different prospective and have differing opinions on the axle change out than I have. Even when talking with the factory reps and engineers I encountered a definite lack of willingness to accommodate anything other than their “standard design” axle, and the sales reps I talked with really had no clue as to how the axles were constructed. My point being to be sure there are sufficient drawings passed back and forth before ordering to eliminate any shadow of a miscommunication, and be sure that all parties involved are on board as far as how the nomenclature of the various mounting options are defined.