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GeocamperAS · 06-11-2013, 05:45 PM

Colin Hyde ---- You’re the man.

I needed 2 new Axles for my 74 Argosy. I contacted both Colin and Inland RV. Colin answered the very next day. Inland no answer from a PM to Andy and a message left on their web site.
So I went with Colin, and this is how it went.
I PMed Colin with my VIN and told him I wanted to just unbolt and rebolt. No holes to drill and no welding.
He answered the next day with a price and a time frame for delivery.
I called Colin to verify that it was going to be as easy as unbolt and rebolt. No holes to drill no welding. He assured me that was the case.
When I was ready to order I sent Colin a check.
He contacted me when they were ready to be delivered and the date to pick them up at a local freight terminal.
When I was ready to install them, I call Colin with more questions. He was more than willing to answer and gave my many pointers to make the job go easier.
Following Colin’s pointers they both went in with out any problems. (well one problem. 1 of the old rusted bolts wouldn’t budge, even with tons of WD40. Had to saw off) But that wasn’t Colin’s fault. LOL
It took about 7 hours to do both including the test drive and brake controller adjustment.

THANKS AGAIN COLIN HYDE

Tim

lasgambler · 06-11-2013, 06:04 PM

Did you order with new brakes or without? Ballpark $? Thanks Terry

adonh · 06-11-2013, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger

Colin Hyde ---- You’re the man.

I needed 2 new Axles for my 74 Argosy. I contacted both Colin and Inland RV. Colin answered the very next day. Inland no answer from a PM to Andy and a message left on their web site.
So I went with Colin, and this is how it went.
I PMed Colin with my VIN and told him I wanted to just unbolt and rebolt. No holes to drill and no welding.
He answered the next day with a price and a time frame for delivery.
I called Colin to verify that it was going to be as easy as unbolt and rebolt. No holes to drill no welding. He assured me that was the case.
When I was ready to order I sent Colin a check.
He contacted me when they were ready to be delivered and the date to pick them up at a local freight terminal.
When I was ready to install them, I call Colin with more questions. He was more than willing to answer and gave my many pointers to make the job go easier.
Following Colin’s pointers they both went in with out any problems. (well one problem. 1 of the old rusted bolts wouldn’t budge, even with tons of WD40. Had to saw off) But that wasn’t Colin’s fault. LOL
It took about 7 hours to do both including the test drive and brake controller adjustment.

THANKS AGAIN COLIN HYDE

Tim

Glad it went well, you will really notice a difference in the ride with new axles. I have not had the opportunity to work with Colin but from everything that I have heard he is great guy and takes care of his customers. For us Vintage Airstream owners we need more Colin's. But as a point of reference Inland RV, Andy and his staff have provided excellent service to all of us over the years. A lot of us would not have been able to find the Airstream parts including axles and get answers to tough questions and assistance when we had a problem if it were nor for Andy and Inland RV. My experience when I purchased new axles from Inland RV for my 1976 31' Sovereign went pretty mush as you described above. I am happy we have vendors such as Colin, Inland RV and others that understand our passion for these old trailers and are here to offer their services and expertise.

Enjoy your new axles and you can now replace any rivets that may have popped out while you had the old axles. They won't be popping out with the new axles.

GeocamperAS · 06-11-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lasgambler

Did you order with new brakes or without? Ballpark $? Thanks Terry

I went with new brakes. For my 1974 Argosy 28 I was quoted $495 each plus shipping.

GeocamperAS · 06-11-2013, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adonh

Glad it went well, you will really notice a difference in the ride with new axles. I have not had the opportunity to work with Colin but from everything that I have heard he is great guy and takes care of his customers. For us Vintage Airstream owners we need more Colin's. But as a point of reference Inland RV, Andy and his staff have provided excellent service to all of us over the years. A lot of us would not have been able to find the Airstream parts including axles and get answers to tough questions and assistance when we had a problem if it were nor for Andy and Inland RV. My experience when I purchased new axles from Inland RV for my 1976 31' Sovereign went pretty mush as you described above. I am happy we have vendors such as Colin, Inland RV and others that understand our passion for these old trailers and are here to offer their services and expertise.

Enjoy your new axles and you can now replace any rivets that may have popped out while you had the old axles. They won't be popping out with the new axles.

I also have ordered parts from Andy and have had good service. I don't know why he never got back to me. I PMed him and waited 2weeks then posted through his web site and still didn't here from him a month later when I ordered from Colin. I did not follow through with Andy because Colin's price was far less than Andy had on line. But I thought I gave him a fair shot.

kevinb · 06-11-2013, 07:20 PM

I had the same experience with Colin, installation was easy and straight forward. Shock brackets were welded on as well. I have a 68 which I thought would be more of a problem. but as long as you have a "high profile bracket" you are good to go.

kevinb · 06-11-2013, 07:23 PM

for rusted bolts, buy, or borrow an impact wrench, its the only way to go.

lasgambler · 06-11-2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinb

for rusted bolts, buy, or borrow an impact wrench, its the only way to go.

And PB Blaster!!

kevinb · 06-11-2013, 08:22 PM

Totally true lasgambler. I got in a hurry to remove the old axles and shocks, threw a wrench on the nut holding the shock in place and broke off the stud that holds the shock in place. Thats when I came to my senses, sprayed all bolts with pb blaster waited a day sprayed some more and hit them with an impact wrench. Came off easy as pie.

Of course none of that is Colins fault either, even he cant fix stupid.

Redder · 10-03-2014, 11:53 PM

I agree Colin was very good to work with, It went smooth I couldn't believe it was that easy. Redder

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeocamperAS

Colin Hyde ---- You’re the man.

I needed 2 new Axles for my 74 Argosy. I contacted both Colin and Inland RV. Colin answered the very next day. Inland no answer from a PM to Andy and a message left on their web site.
So I went with Colin, and this is how it went.
I PMed Colin with my VIN and told him I wanted to just unbolt and rebolt. No holes to drill and no welding.
He answered the next day with a price and a time frame for delivery.
I called Colin to verify that it was going to be as easy as unbolt and rebolt. No holes to drill no welding. He assured me that was the case.
When I was ready to order I sent Colin a check.
He contacted me when they were ready to be delivered and the date to pick them up at a local freight terminal.
When I was ready to install them, I call Colin with more questions. He was more than willing to answer and gave my many pointers to make the job go easier.
Following Colin’s pointers they both went in with out any problems. (well one problem. 1 of the old rusted bolts wouldn’t budge, even with tons of WD40. Had to saw off) But that wasn’t Colin’s fault. LOL
It took about 7 hours to do both including the test drive and brake controller adjustment.

THANKS AGAIN COLIN HYDE

Tim

treeair · 06-22-2015, 06:26 PM

What is the contact info for Colin Hyde?

HiJoeSilver · 06-22-2015, 07:34 PM

I think I'll be contacting Colin soon!

jimmbob · 06-22-2015, 08:19 PM

We purchased a '76 31' LY last fall. Took her "Lucille" on her maiden voyage two weekend's ago. Love this forum. Would it be bad to buy 1 axle and when the AS fund built up buy the other axle? Jim Tecch Lucille

jimmbob · 06-22-2015, 08:31 PM

Us again. How do you know if axles are bad or just assume after 39 years they are bad?

GeocamperAS · 06-22-2015, 08:53 PM

colinhydetrailerrestorations.com

GeocamperAS · 06-22-2015, 08:54 PM

Or
(518) 578-7772

GeocamperAS · 06-22-2015, 08:57 PM

Jimmbob,
Colin would be better than I to answer your questions.

HiJoeSilver · 06-23-2015, 09:06 AM

Jimmbob, if they're original and that old they're shot. How to tell, look at the angle if the arm from the axle tube to the wheel hub. When new they had about 22 degrees down from horizontal. Right now I'll bet they're either horizontal or possibly slight negatine(up)angle. This means the cords are worn out, axles are worn out and won't have spring in them.

HiJoeSilver · 06-23-2015, 09:07 AM

negative (up)

drboyd · 06-23-2015, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmbob

We purchased a '76 31' LY last fall. Took her "Lucille" on her maiden voyage two weekend's ago. Love this forum. Would it be bad to buy 1 axle and when the AS fund built up buy the other axle? Jim Tecch Lucille

I don't think I'd do that; here's why:

The new axle would be bearing significantly more weight than the old axle because of the increased arm angle. This would be tough on the new axle.

This is, of course, strictly my own opinion and subject to nullification by Mr. Hyde.