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03-28-2012, 08:44 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
Walker
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
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Axle?
I have a 77 sovereign my axles are going out.I have two trips coming combined they are about 500 miles.will it hurt using the camper I live Louisiana and we have flat ground and crappy interstates?
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03-28-2012, 08:56 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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Go for it as long as you have good tires and operating brakes.
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03-28-2012, 09:01 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
Walker
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
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Tires are in fair shape and the brakes work.
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03-28-2012, 09:05 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
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IMHO and based on hauling a '77 with crappy axles on the same roads...
You don't have to worry about arriving home from your 500 miles with only an Airsteam tongue dragging behind your tow vehicle...
You may find a few things that say "I've been on the road"...
Last time I checked, the reason we get campers is to go camping...
Keep us posted on your adventures!
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03-28-2012, 09:09 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1964 19' Globetrotter
South Kingstown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,406
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Before I had my axle replaced, the camper shook so bad that it sheared off a few rivets inside every time I drove. With the new axle, no missing rivets. I wondered what it was doing to the plumbing and electrical.
__________________
Wherever you go, there you are
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03-28-2012, 09:23 PM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
Walker
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
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How mUch do axles run? This thing is like my 77 jeep waggy I am restoring.it takes every penny but they are worth it.I got rid of a newer 5 th wheel for the silver wagon.if I could get my wife to fell same way it would be a perfect life.
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03-28-2012, 09:28 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1964 19' Globetrotter
South Kingstown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,406
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I paid about $900 to have it done- maybe $450 for the axle and the same for labor. That's for a single Dexter that matched the OEM spec, 3500gvw.
__________________
Wherever you go, there you are
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03-28-2012, 09:41 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
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03-29-2012, 05:33 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
Walker
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
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Doing the test looking At rim and fender wheel.the top of my rim is about 3" below the top trim on the fender wheel.
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03-29-2012, 05:42 AM
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#10
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Treyladut
Doing the test looking At rim and fender wheel.the top of my rim is about 3" below the top trim on the fender wheel.
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"The Test" is not really accurate, since Airstream moved wheel well moldings up and down over the years. I've seen trailers that passed the test have really bad axles, and trailers that failed the test have good axles. All Airstreams with the 22.5 degree starting angle (all the OEM ones, even the new ones) will have the trailing arms of the axles at zero degrees when they have a load (like the trailer) on them.
A better "test" is to raise the trailer with a jack under the proper spot, and watch how far the tire drops when the weight is removed from it.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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03-29-2012, 06:15 AM
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#11
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Terry nailed it!!
It's the angle of the dangle, if it drops a little go for it, if it don't, go for it anyway, drive carefully and be prepared for some loose rivets.
We toad several Seasons with a bad axle on our 63 with nothing more serious than a few looseies.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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03-29-2012, 06:39 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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The axle on my Bambi II is also pretty shot. It tows just fine, but a little harsh. Fixing that tomorrow with a new axle from Colin Hyde. Axle price is $495 with shipping cost of $225 to a commercial address.The axle comes completely assembled & include 10" brakes, powder coated axle tube, "safety lube" spindles (allows you to grease the bearings without removing the wheels), shock brackets welded in place, mounting bolts, lug nuts & an owner’s manual. The shop doing the work has done several Airstream axles and seemed very knowledgeable about Airstreams when I spoke to them. They thought it was funny when I told them how much some shops were charging for the job. Installation is $150, two hours labor. Easy job when you have the proper tools and knowledge. It will be nice to have a softer ride with working brakes.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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03-29-2012, 03:24 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
Walker
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
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What is the proper way to jack it up and test the axles?
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03-29-2012, 03:40 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Treyladut
What is the proper way to jack it up and test the axles?
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No jacking necessary.
Pull one tire at a time up on some 2 X 6's.
Then observe the tire drop.
Andy
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03-29-2012, 03:50 PM
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#15
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Treyladut
What is the proper way to jack it up and test the axles?
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The axle mount plate. It won't look exactly like this, but you get the idea.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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03-29-2012, 04:57 PM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
Walker
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
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I had about 1 1/2 to 2" of drop
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03-29-2012, 05:28 PM
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#17
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Treyladut
I had about 1 1/2 to 2" of drop
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)Then you are in relatively good shape. Less than that would be cause for concern.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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03-29-2012, 05:51 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
Walker
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
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You gUys are awesome on this forum.I get faster responds on here than I get emails from co workers. 
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03-29-2012, 06:59 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 62overlander
I really need to raise my rates!
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What do you normally charge?
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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03-30-2012, 06:14 PM
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#20
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWCHIEF
What do you normally charge?
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Sorry I violated TOS by making any comment. I hope you all will forgive me for doing so.
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