Sovereign Axles

[grakkin]

I am currently on a total (and my first) Airstream restoration. I have the whole thing gutted and belly pan off. As I was looking things over, I noticed that my axles have a slight bow upwards in the middle of the axle. I was wondering if they are like this because the trailer is empty with no load on it except the shell or if this is a sign of fatigue. I have attached a picture to try and show the bow. Any input?

[clancy_boy]

That is a normal bow to the axle. Others will explain why and better than I can but I believe it has to do with the axle alignment and the way the tires rest in a loaded position.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by grakkin

I am currently on a total (and my first) Airstream restoration. I have the whole thing gutted and belly pan off. As I was looking things over, I noticed that my axles have a slight bow upwards in the middle of the axle. I was wondering if they are like this because the trailer is empty with no load on it except the shell or if this is a sign of fatigue. I have attached a picture to try and show the bow. Any input?

What is the position of the torsion arms or trailing arms, as they go rearward, with respect to the chassis?

Are they going down hill, parallel to or going uphill?

The bend in the axle tube, is how they are aligned at time of manufacture.

Andy