Axle Question - '75 Tradewind

[Rsmied]

I'm In need of some help/friendly advice on axles. My Tradewind still has the original axles (2600 lbs) and it's time they get replaced. The previous owner upgraded (within the last 2-3 years) to new 12" self adjusting brakes brakes w/new baking plates, shoes, and magnets and also replaced the shocks. bearings have been repacked and have new seals. Why all this work was done instead of just ordering two new complete axle setup's beats me but it is what I'm left with.

I'm nervous about screwing up the measurements when placing my order, but besides that, what else do I need to take into consideration to ensure a correct fit If I'm just replacing the current axle with a bare axle and not a complete setup? Its all foreign to me..

[wkerfoot]

Since you want to stay with the 12" brakes, you will need to order an axle from Colin Hyde. Inland, I believe, only handles Dexter which won't make an axle for your trailer which has 12" brakes. No measurements are needed, only the decision on weight capacity. Unless you have the low profile brackets which will require enlarging the bolt holes.

Bill

Originally Posted by Rsmied

I'm In need of some help/friendly advice on axles. My Tradewind still has the original axles (2600 lbs) and it's time they get replaced. The previous owner upgraded (within the last 2-3 years) to new 12" self adjusting brakes brakes w/new baking plates, shoes, and magnets and also replaced the shocks. bearings have been repacked and have new seals. Why all this work was done instead of just ordering two new complete axle setup's beats me but it is what I'm left with.

I'm nervous about screwing up the measurements when placing my order, but besides that, what else do I need to take into consideration to ensure a correct fit If I'm just replacing the current axle with a bare axle and not a complete setup? Its all foreign to me..

[Rsmied]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Since you want to stay with the 12" brakes, you will need to order an axle from Colin Hyde. Inland, I believe, only handles Dexter which won't make an axle for your trailer which has 12" brakes. No measurements are needed, only the decision on weight capacity. Unless you have the low profile brackets which will require enlarging the bolt holes.

Bill

Really? Half the posts on this forum is Andy from Inland telling everyone they need 12" brakes over 10", and their website has a 12" bare axle listed. Now when I spoke with a local Dexter dealer and told them what I was doing they said I'd need a #10 Torflex, rated at 3500 lbs. Do 12" brakes work on a #10?

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by Rsmied

Really? Half the posts on this forum is Andy from Inland telling everyone they need 12" brakes over 10", and their website has a 12" bare axle listed. Now when I spoke with a local Dexter dealer and told them what I was doing they said I'd need a #10 Torflex, rated at 3500 lbs. Do 12" brakes work on a #10?

No, 12" brakes won't work on the #10 Dexter axle. The brake flange is different.

What you are looking for is a "derated" #11 (5200lb) axle. As Bill pointed out, Dexter won't do that. There are other axle manufacturers besides Dexter.

And if you want to read about the 10" vs. 12" brake debate, have fun!

[Rsmied]

Oh I've read it..several times. Great information and I appreciate the time you took to lay out such a detailed comparison!

[clydecrashcu]

Are you willing to do the upgrade yourself. If the answer is yes, you can order your axles from a Red Neck Trailer supply company. I did that for my 1968 Tradewind dual axle. The person that helped me with the measurements was Luke Bernander of the Rocky Mountain Vintage Airstream Club. Luke lives in Fort Collins, CO and has replaced many at this shop and helped others order their replacement. I first met Luke at A RMVAC Rally. He is very knowledgeable and reliable for information about axle replacement. You can email him for questions. His email address is: airstreamInCO2gmail.com

Please message me if you have more questions. Luke's email address should be current

[plbalza54]

Contact Colin Hyde. He helped me with mine last year. I changed my '76 Sovereign from 12" to 10". I had them shipped to a local RV & Truck axle shop and they did the grunt work. It did not cost much.

[Sodbust]

When I priced out axles for our Overlander,, the cost difference between a bare axle without brakes and hubs was not that much cheaper.. In my case I needed new brakes so it did not matter.. But in your case,, I would study the price careful and might be ahead to just set yours on a shelf and use it for parts later on.. Thats how I saw it anyway.

Sodbust

[deccli]

Luke replaced our axle last year on the '67 Caravel. Everything turned out great. In fact we just took our trailer to him today to install a grey water tank.

[Rsmied]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Inland, I believe, only handles Dexter which won't make an axle for your trailer which has 12" brakes.

Bill

Told Inland I wanted to use my current 12" brakes and they quoted me "2 10609 Bare Axles - 3.5K $495.00 regular $455.00 sale $910.00 + 160 shipping." Didnt speak to Andy because he's on vacation but they told me there wouldn't be any issues.

[wkerfoot]

I don't know if that is a Dexter or Axis or Inland part number. I would be concerned. Ask if they can send you a picture of the brake flange. Freight will get expensive if they are the wrong axles.

You might get a quote from Colin for bare axles. I purchased four bare axles last year, for $2,300 including freight to So Cal.

Bill

Originally Posted by Rsmied

Told Inland I wanted to use my current 12" brakes and they quoted me "2 10609 Bare Axles - 3.5K $495.00 regular $455.00 sale $910.00 + 160 shipping." Didnt speak to Andy because he's on vacation but they told me there wouldn't be any issues.

[Moonhill]

Originally Posted by clydecrashcu

Are you willing to do the upgrade yourself. If the answer is yes, you can order your axles from a Red Neck Trailer supply company. I did that for my 1968 Tradewind dual axle. The person that helped me with the measurements was Luke Bernander of the Rocky Mountain Vintage Airstream Club. Luke lives in Fort Collins, CO and has replaced many at this shop and helped others order their replacement. I first met Luke at A RMVAC Rally. He is very knowledgeable and reliable for information about axle replacement. You can email him for questions. His email address is: airstreamInCO2gmail.com

Please message me if you have more questions. Luke's email address should be current

Howdy, I tried Luke's email, didn't work. I live in Colorado as well. Planning on replacing axles on my '75 overlander, looking for advice. I have account with Red Neck, just want to order the right ones.

Thanks

[TG Twinkie]

I have heard if you take one of your axles to them. They will take all measurements and build you the axles you need.


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[featherbedder]

Give Colin info about your trailer, he has specs you do not need to measure or do any thing as they come strate bolt up with bolts and less costly than what was quoted to me for dexter. Some old AS do req. some mods who ever manuf. axles.

[Action]

Originally Posted by featherbedder

Give Colin info about your trailer, he has specs you do not need to measure or do any thing as they come strate bolt up with bolts ..... Some old AS do req. some mods who ever manuf. axles.

Pre-1968 or 1969 will need some modification.

>>>>>>>>>>Action