Axle condition: it ain't just the angle

[overlander63]

I've been noticing over the past several years, people condemning the axles on Airstreams simply because the angle of the trailing arm was at zero degrees. I have repeatedly posted that is not the case, as that is the angle the axles are designed to be when mounted on the trailer, and the trailer in normal working order.
Today, I decided to kill my lunch hour by walking around the lot at the Airstream dealership where I work, and snap a few photos of axles on Airstreams in various stages of their lives to prove my case. The next several posts and photos all show the trailers at rest, empty of personal items.
First one is a 2008 Classic. This is one of the disc brake models, but the trailing arms and spindles are the same as drum brake equipped Airstreams.

[overlander63]

Next is a 2009 Flying Cloud. Same angle on the trailing arms as the Classic, and the drum brakes are evident:

[overlander63]

Next is a 1994 Excella 1000. Same thing, zero degrees:

[overlander63]

Now I walked across the driveway to the new trailers. Here we have an Eddie Bauer model. Surely, this mondo, off-road, go anywhere, 16" tire-equipped trailer has a higher angle on the trailing arms. Uh, nope...

[overlander63]

Then, there's a little 20' Flying Cloud. Maybe this one has a different starting angle on the trailing arms? Again, no.

[Lumatic]

When I put on brand new Dexters and weighted them the angle was close to zero. I thought I was the only crazy one.

[overlander63]

Last, I walked back into the shop, where a 1970 Sovereign is waiting for new axles. I know it needs them, since the trailing arms didn't move when I jacked it up to replace the tires. Getting new tires up into the wheel wells was an adventure.
So, you would think this one would have that dreaded "up angle" on the trailing arms you hear so much about? Again, no. You can see through all the rust and cobwebs, the training arms are in almost exactly the same position as all those new and newer trailers above.

[overlander63]

So, as you can see, the angle of the trailing arms really doesn't show much of anything. The only real way to tell if the axles have life left in them is to jack up the trailer (properly), and observe how much the tires drop when the load is removed.
I hope this clears things up, and reduces some confusion for anybody wondering about their axles.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

When I put on brand new Dexters and weighted them the angle was close to zero. I thought I was the only crazy one.

No, that is where a 22.5 degree starting angle should be, when the axles are loaded to their rated capacity.

[Greg@AirLA]

Careful overlander63 the new Sports starting angle is 10° down, learned that the hard way.
Greg

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Greg@AirLA

Careful overlander63 the new Sports starting angle is 10° down, learned that the hard way.
Greg

So the trailing arm will be pointing up when the trailer weight is on it? Good to know. There is a 22 Sport on the lot, I'll snap a couple of photos of the trailing arms tomorrow.

[Shacksman]

My 67 Safari had a definite down angle to the trailing arms, unfortunatly it was frozen solid in that angle.No movement at all.

[Steve Bryant]

overlander63,
This information is a public service to the Airstream community. I appreciate your efforts very much!!! In my opinion, if any killing was done during your lunch hour, it was certainly justifiable homicide. You'll beat the rap with nothing showing on your record except the appreciation of others.

Thanks,

Steve

[Aage]

This is a very interesting thread, Terry, thanks much for posting it.

I must confess that I am not at all familiar with the various parts of the axle. In all the photos, I can see most prominently, a large "donut"-like thing, that I am imagining is the support for the trailing arm. I say that because if the arm was parallel to the ground, then it would not appear in the photos, and such is the case in every photo.

Can you confirm that I have the right understanding of what you are showing us? If I don't, I would appreciate your corrections.

Thanks again, Terry!

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by aage

i must confess that i am not at all familiar with the various parts of the axle. In all the photos, i can see most prominently, a large "donut"-like thing

wheel

[Aage]

aaaah.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Aage

This is a very interesting thread, Terry, thanks much for posting it.

I must confess that I am not at all familiar with the various parts of the axle. In all the photos, I can see most prominently, a large "donut"-like thing, that I am imagining is the support for the trailing arm. I say that because if the arm was parallel to the ground, then it would not appear in the photos, and such is the case in every photo.

Can you confirm that I have the right understanding of what you are showing us? If I don't, I would appreciate your corrections.

Thanks again, Terry!

Originally Posted by Lumatic

wheel

Originally Posted by Aage

aaaah.

That reminds me of one of the flying tips I read. It seems that big, fan-looking thing spinning in front of the pilot is there only to keep him cool. If you don't believe me, turn it off sometime, and watch him start sweating...

I did get a couple of photos swapped, the '94 and 2009 are in the wrong posts. All I can say is they all look alike...

[Skatiero]

Fascinating thread!

[Big C]

Very interesting thread...

[idroba]

I had Luke in Fort Collins replace the axle on my Argosy 20' 2 years ago. The rig was weighed prior to his ordering it, and I know it is the proper Dexter axle for my trailer. After the installation, the arm was and still is horizontal, not tilted down or up. So, I also agree that angle of the arm is not telling all. BTW, the new axle was a great improvement in ride, lack of things being tossed around inside, no more rivets popping and so on. And I can much more easily get the new 16" wheels and tires on and off.