1948 14' Boles Aero

[samb]

For what it's worth, my 1948 14' Boles Aero also had a torsion axle when I got it. I thought it was original to the trailer. On looking back, it was badly in need of replacement. Very rough ride, no spring at all left.
The 14 footer is a great size ..... room for a full double bed in back.
Sam

[bgordon]

I suppose I'll add an axle to the list. It is a rough ride from what I can tell. It sounds like leaf springs are more desirable. Is there a recommended way of doing that and keeping or lowering my ride height. There are 16" rims on there so it is a little higher than it could be.

I'm not really interested in getting new wheels and rims though. Also, what is likely to fail on the axle outside of bearings/hubs? They looked fine.
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My inquiry here is about the seals on my window. I have an older window setup which I believe are the Air-O-Lite windows. I picked up some gasket material from VTS but the way they are all setup now is different from what they supply.

The windows are secured with 1/8" glazing and then there gasket material on the L,R, and top of the window frame on the body. Keeping it this way would be a much cleaner setup.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to find a replacement seal? I have searched Vintage Camper, VTS and McMaster-Carr many many times over with no luck. McMaster-Carr comes very close but they're smallest gasket is too big and would pose problems.

[flyrc]

Originally Posted by mhilley

Mr Aage, your are really close with the torsion axle comment! My father held the (US) patent on it (it was in the 50's). He also held a patent on a "contraption" axle. It had a coil spring wrapped around the actual axle and the hub was on an arm about a foot long, which gave it suspension travel. One end of the coil spring was attached to the hub arm and one end was attached to a stationery bracket. You would have to see it to believe it. He made a few boat trailers using it They had a telescoping tongue the extended so you could get he trailer into the water and not get your car wet! They flopped! The torsion axle lasted a little longer!

I have a 1946 Curtis Wright model-2 that has the coil spring wrapped around the axle. I had no idea what it was called or that it was an original part. I have a farmer friend and he told me that old farm trailers had the same kind of suspension. It's nice to see the all aluminum inner parts on the Boles Aero. The Curtis Wright has all wood inner framing and is a nightmare to work on

[flyrc]

The 46 Curtis model 2 has 16' wheels with tires that look like they were for military jeeps I think the large tire gave the trailer ground clearance and still kept it low at the door so a step wasn't necessary. I'm just guessing about the step.How is the restoration project going?

[/QUOTE]

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by bgordon

I suppose I'll add an axle to the list. It is a rough ride from what I can tell. It sounds like leaf springs are more desirable. Is there a recommended way of doing that and keeping or lowering my ride height. There are 16" rims on there so it is a little higher than it could be.

I'm not really interested in getting new wheels and rims though. Also, what is likely to fail on the axle outside of bearings/hubs? They looked fine.
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A modern rubber torsion axle would be the way to go in my opinion, as they are very light & simple, compared to leaf spring set ups. The ride from a torsion axle is also far superior to leaf springs as well. The ride height & load rating can be designed into the axle to suit your trailer & it's intended use. Mounting plates would need to be added to your chassis to support the axle, but this is not difficult. A new axle will give you a lot of "piece of mind" while travelling & parts will be readily available.
Colin

[flyrc]

Is there a formula that will help figure out the proper ride height from a worn out sagging suspension on a 60 year old trailer These old canned ham types need so much work that a new axle is the only way to start the project.

[bgordon]

Good to see some folks weighing in on the trailer. The restoration slowed down for a while, but is moving along again.

I had previously heard that a leaf spring setup would be the way to go. I don't think there is any flex left in the current torsion setup and that is more of the reason to upgrade (and peace of mind) than the bearings.

What are the thoughts on torsion axle v. leaf spring axle? This will be a very light trailer as I'm doing a minimal amount of build out.

[chowman2011]

I had an enclosed utility trailer w/ a torsion axle--Rode very nice..they do wear out.

leaf spring longer life span...a bit rougher.

Not sure at this point about ride height--seems either system could be modified to get the ride height desired.

Cost and mounting(between the 2 types) would be the considerations then...

Inital thought: torsion maybe a good choice.

Cheers,
Christopher

[flyrc]

Originally Posted by samb

For what it's worth, my 1948 14' Boles Aero also had a torsion axle when I got it. I thought it was original to the trailer. On looking back, it was badly in need of replacement. Very rough ride, no spring at all left.
The 14 footer is a great size ..... room for a full double bed in back.
Sam

Sam, from what you said about the axle I presume you replaced it. I just brought a 47,14' Boles home and am trying to figure out how many degrees angle a new torsion axle would have to give the right ride height. Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.
Wally H

[REDNAX]

A torsion axle is superior in all respects. Don't change to beam axle.

[Chlyman]

I have been searching to see if anyone has brakes like mine, and you do. I have been trying to figure out what to do with them. Did you just get a new axle and brakes?