Axle rating and max cargo weight?

[steveirving]

Hi everyone, two questions.

1)What is the weight rating on the axle of my 1959 24' Tradewind?

2) What is the GVWR (or max cargo weight) of this same trailer? Pic of the axle attached. Steve welcome to our airstream story - home

[SteveH]

Don't know if it's there on a 1959, but the newer trailers have a ID plate actually on the axle that states the max capacity of the axle.

In the absence of that plate, and all other manufacturer's specs, I would suggest you check for hub and bearing capacity by cross referencing part number data.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by steveirving

Hi everyone, two questions.

1)What is the weight rating on the axle of my 1959 24' Tradewind?

2) What is the GVWR (or max cargo weight) of this same trailer? Pic of the axle attached. Steve welcome to our airstream story - home

Don't really have a printed answer, but if you decided to upgrade to a torsion axle, you would install either a 4500 pound or 5000 pound rated axle.

Andy

[steveirving]

I guess im trying to confirm what the weight rating of the original stock trailer and axle was/is? Original 1959 dry weight was 3200 lbs. after ac and fridge and upgrades over the years it is now 4000lb. What were the stock single axles rated for?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by steveirving

I guess im trying to confirm what the weight rating of the original stock trailer and axle was/is? Original 1959 dry weight was 3200 lbs. after ac and fridge and upgrades over the years it is now 4000lb. What were the stock single axles rated for?

I just located an old chart that has a bunch of numbers for the old trailers.

A 1959 24 foot Airstream, had a dry weight rating of 3170 pounds.

Also in the same year, there is another weight rating for the same trailer of 3275 pounds.

I would believe that the difference depends on which plant built the trailer.

The chart does not state which plant.

Andy

[steveirving]

So are these numbers you found the dry weight, the allowable cargo weight, or the max weight for the whole thing?

[markdoane]

The original axle on my '59 Tradewind was a 3500# Hadco axle. However, it was a round axle, unlike your square axle.
I replaced it with a 5200# Dexter 4" drop axle, and upbuilt the leaf springs to handle 4800 lbs.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by steveirving

So are these numbers you found the dry weight, the allowable cargo weight, or the max weight for the whole thing?

The chart says "dry weight".

Andy

[steveirving]

Dry weight should be the total trailer weight minus water, food, fuel, and waste.

[perryg114]

Whatever the specs are there is a chance that your old axel is weaker than spec due to age. Older axel spindles have been known to break which you really don't want to happen. Replacement axels are available from places like tractor supply and Northern tool or any trailer place. I like the simplicity and maintainability of conventional axels. I don't know if your axel is a special Airstream specific item or not.

Perry

[ROBERT CROSS]

^
X2

Steve,

All new running gear would be my advise. Especially after all your work on such a great looking trailer.

I wouldn't trust the old spindles or brakes. Even with the rebuilt springs.

Bob

[perryg114]

If you really wanted to keep your old axel you could have it tested for cracks but that might get expensive.

Perry