Axle pros and cons.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Axis acquired Henshen in 2010.

Axis dd not acquire Henschen.

Axis did purchase some of their equipment.

Axis also hired Henschens sales manager, who provided Axis with some information.

That person subsequently quit Axis as he felt that the big bosses "played too many games", which was his words, not mine.

As it appears today, there quite well may be different game plans, which depends on who the person may be.

Andy

[idroba]

I have Dexter's and had Luke (that is the only name he uses, just Luke) in Fort Collins CO put in for me. We talked about the options Dexter had and I went with the externally grease ones (a Zerk on the outside of the hub), self adjusting brakes, longer brake magnet wires (so the connections could be pushed above the belly pan) and as I recall a 4500 # rating for my single axle 20' Argosy. (I had it weighed and we went from there) I also had new AS shocks and Dexter factory built shock mounts.

One additional thing that can be set with Dexter is the length of the axle stub from the factory mounting brackets. My Argosy had it's tires running very close to the sheet metal outside, so I had my axle made one inch narrower, hub to hub face, so I had a small amount of additional clearance. That makes it easier to change tires.

Luke did a great job of installation, and guiding me through the possibilities of Dexter axles. This past summer I put 16" alloy wheels on and Goodrich LT 225/75 16" tires. The combination of all the small changes made for an excellent final result. Now, I just travel, with few worries, an occasional shot of grease in the bearings, and air pressure check of the tires. Life is good.

[bilby05]

I had Dexters installed and the results were good.
Just be sure you familiarize yourself with the specs that YOUR year and model of Airstream uses, be sure that your installer orders exactly according to those specs and understands the correct geometry of the mounting and shock absorber. I "thought" that mine did but when I went to pick it up everything was wrong. Fortunately, after a discussion with me and the nearest Airstream dealer, he realized his mistake and replaced the axles with the properly spec'd ones.
It's always about the details. Without everything being correct the advantage of new axles is greatly diminished.
cheers, bill b.

[Action]

GKN/Henschen closed in 2010. Assets were sold and that piece of business no longer exists.

>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Mikethefixit]

I purchased from INLAND and Andy arranged for my truck to pick them up at the factory(Henshen before they closed) and I installed them myself. I am very satified with the whole transaction.

[perryg114]

So Dexter makes the current axels for Airstream?

Perry

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by perryg114

So Dexter makes the current axels for Airstream?

Perry

The two manufacturers of axles for Airstreams are currently Dexter and Al-Ko.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

So Dexter makes the current axels for Airstream?

Perry

Your absolutely correct.

But, Dexter will not make axles with 12 inch brakes below a 3500 pound rating.

There are several thousands of Airstream trailers that are equipped with 12 inch brakes that are below the 3500 pound rating.

Andy

[perryg114]

Well I have a 31 footer. I think the max weight is 7100lbs. I could go with two 4000lb axels and get 12 inch brake brackets on them? Which I believe is the 5 hole pattern?

Perry

[RickDavis]

Most 12 inch brakes I have seen are the 6 bolt pattern. All that i have had on Airstreams were.

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Well I have a 31 footer. I think the max weight is 7100lbs. I could go with two 4000lb axels and get 12 inch brake brackets on them? Which I believe is the 5 hole pattern?

Perry

Perry,
Your trailer has the typical 6 lug pattern. 4000 lb axle with 12" brakes isn't a problem either.
Thanks,
Colin

[azflycaster]

If we are talking about the mounting of the backing plate to the axle, the 12" is a 5 bolt pattern and the 10" is a 4 bolt pattern.