Axle replacement on 1980 Caravelle/Argosy

[glacierrunne]

I am working on finding a source of a new axle for my 20 foot Caravelle. I believe it is the same size as a Argosy Minuet 6m. I would rather not drill or enlarge holes or weld on the shock arms. I have talked to Colin and we are comparing information on this axle. If anyone has replaced their axle on a Caravelle or Minuet 6m I would appreciate any information such as outside frame measurement,, start angle degree, etc etc. Thanks, Don

[thehandyman]

Collin took care of everything for me. You will most likely have to cut out the axle fits into a little bigger. If I was to replace mine again I would do 32 degree angle. If yours grey tank is like mine it is kind of low in the back.

[glacierrunne]

Handyman, do you have the measurement you gave Colin for outside of the frame? thanks, Don

[thehandyman]

No I don't think I had to give him any he had just finished another redo on a 24 foot caravella including axles. So he had the measurement already if I remember right.
Will try and look up any email I sent to see.

[glacierrunne]

Handyman, can you e-mail me at glacierrunner1@hotmail.com. Colin is looking in his files but can not find the info on the axles. If I could get some more info from you it would help me and Colin to figure out the correct measurements. Thanks for your time! Don

[thehandyman]

Did you get my email?

[glacierrunne]

Handyman, no e-mail--try sending private one in forum or resend to glacierrunner1@hotmail.com thanks, Don

[glacierrunne]

Thanks to all who responded to this thread. I ordered the axle from Colin and only had to enlarge a hole in the shock plate for a perfect fit. Trailer tows better then before- I also went down to 550lb torsion bars. I hope I Never have to replace the axle again!! Don

[thehandyman]

Cool

[jwkiefer]

We have a 1980 caravelle. New to Forum today. My wife and I replaced our axle from Inland RV in 2006. Had a hard time ordering because they thought our trailer didn't exist at that time. It is exactly the same fit as the Argosy 20ft Minuet because that is what we ordered after giving the measurements to them. We jacked it up and were able to replace exactly with the new axle. (included brakes and shocks) Was wonderful because it raised the trailer up a little and has been great since. Owned it 17 years now and have been on some long trips to Colorado, Minnesota, California etc.

[80Caravelle]

We just replaced ours using a Dexter axle ordered from a local Dexter dealer. I ended up having a trailer shop do the work for me and it cost just under $1,000 for everything - including removing the shock mounting brackets from the old axle and welding them onto the new one. Colin had quoted me $650 for just the axle, so to me it was worth the extra $300 to have someone else install it.
We just purchased ours in September and are looking forward to breaking her in this Summer!