Caravel Axle Replacement

[Melody Ranch]

I ordered my replacement axel a week ago from Inland.
It arrived today.

the package, complete, bolt in, unit is, guaranteed to fit, everything included.....is in fact...........

NOT a direct bolt in as I was told before ordering.

does not have any installation instructions with it..AT ALL.
Has NO hardware with it AT ALL.

$240.00 shipping PA to TX.

So the easy, bolt in installation is a load of #*&*#$@.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

I ordered my replacement axel a week ago from Inland.
It arrived today.

the package, complete, bolt in, unit is, guaranteed to fit, everything included.....is in fact...........

NOT a direct bolt in as I was told before ordering.

does not have any installation instructions with it..AT ALL.
Has NO hardware with it AT ALL.

$240.00 shipping PA to TX.

So the easy, bolt in installation is a load of #*&*#$@.

All 1968 and older Airstream trailers, must have new mounting holes drilled.
That was explained to you, as it is to all of those owners.

The axle, at your request was shipped to N. Dallas RV. They certainly have our phone number along with having full knowledge of how to make your installation, as they have done it before.

I wrote your order on Jan 23, and went out of the country for almost 2 weeks, at 4:30 AM, the following morning.

Unfortunately, the instructions that come with the hardware kit, should have been shipped to you on the 24th, but were not.

Since I own Inland RV Center, I will take the flak, and apologize, on behalf of the employee, who did not follow through, as they should have, especially in my absence.

Greg has talked with you today, and you indicated that your now satisfied.

We have no control of shipping costs. However, we contacted Yellow freight. The actual bill was $211.01, not $240.00 as the dealer told you.

Secondly, and more importantly, Yellow admits they made a mistake in their biiling. The correct amount is $92.00, as they quoted to me just a few minutes ago.

Whoever paid the freight bill, assuming it has been paid, must call Yellow freight and request the refund. We cannot do that for you.

Also, we cannot post the Yellow freight Pro-number, for privacy reasons. Call us and we will give that number to you. Also, we will PM you with that same information.

Again, we regret the inconvenience you may have experienced. Calling us initially, would have allowed us to resolve the freight issue for you, without any fanfare.

If you have any further questions, feel free to call.

Andy

[Melody Ranch]

This was posted early today when I was red hot under the collar after getting the call from North Dallas RV about the arrival situation on the axel and the outrageous bill. I called Inland first. They jumped right on it and I had help called directly to the shop, where the Caravel was pearched on jacks from, Andys folks. Soon thereafter Andy called and said he had checked with the freighter and verified thay had screwed up (read...screwed me) and would correct the billing. The other problems mentioned were result of a combination of factors with Andy out of town and the axel being shipped to a third party.

The Caravel is coming off the jacks as we speak....it now sits 4 inches higher on 12 inch heavy duty brakes, strong spindels, new wheels, and (I love to start a discussion thread..)Towmaster radials. Thanks Andy.

I can't figure out why this original posting was moved and taken out of view this afternoon. Thats another story.

[SafariSS]

Hey MR,

Nice Caravel, I was dropping off my Safari 30 today to Randy at NDallas RV and saw you rig, (and about 6 guys under the unit trying to fit the new axle)! I walked up and saw legs and cursin'.

I did not get to look inside, have you restored it as well?

I have been using NDallas Rv since last summer and they do excellent metal work.

[Action]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

I can't figure out why this original posting was moved and taken out of view this afternoon. Thats another story.

I moved it because it was attached to another thread. It is really it's own thought. You got a PM about that too.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Melody Ranch]

Action,
Thanks for the PM on the new thread. Yes, that does help with new directions on a thread. I just want to make sure that every one understands my initial frustration and eventual resolution of the problem...problem as I saw it. Thanks again.

SafariSS.....sorry I missed you. I'm glad you did not look inside. The scheme there is for a specific purpose. You need an explaination first. Dias de los muertos does not set well with some. IT IS HALLOWEEN AFTERALL. A guitar playin' theme. Where in South Texas. I have a place in Weslaco, Texas too. Did you see the 54 Airstream at North Dallas? Nice.

[SafariSS]

Wow, cool "Day of the Dead". Cool theme, original and kinda eclectic. I actually worked in Mexico (Queretaro) for a while and Dia de Muerto is huge thing down there. I like the skeleton heads with peoples names on them!

Yeah, I saw the flying cloud there, wow it is in very nice shape the skin is almost perfect. I find the early 50s bodystyle on the airstreams to have the coolest shape/segment layout of the panels. I attened the last weekends Texas Vintage Rally and there was another one like it from Minnesota that was a sweetheart as well, totally stock original interior.

Say, I also like the propane bottles you have. Where did you get those from?

[scottanlily]

Hello Melody Ranch, Its good to hear about a positive result for a change.
Sounds like Andy handle this quickly and decisively for you .You will like those
12" brakes.Ive used the towmasters myself (bias on mine) but very happy
with them .

Happy trailering

Scott

[Melody Ranch]

Hey folks.

I got the Wothingtons from Steve at Vintage Airstream. Another GREAT supplier/owner of Airstreams. Best price I could find and the best service.
Then, with a polish job they are a real asset to the old Airstream. I put 'em on the 69 as well.

By they way, Californians, my brother showed up and bought the 69 Caravel from me and is moving it to Monterey. Look for it...he's a great guy.

[Melody Ranch]

Well, the commotion is over. We are still sorting out what went wrong with the whole order deal

but, I like the completed product. Take a look.

[clancy_boy]

Very Nice Finish.

Your Caravel makes me go out and look at mine and dream.

[Chuck]

looks great! almost like its up "on its toes", standing up tall and proud. I guess we're used to seeing trailers of this vintage ridin' low on saggy old axles.

[Melody Ranch]

Thanks Clancy....but you have a new one too.

Hey Chuck, see he pic of my 69 in the previous post in this thread...a squatty look when compared. Whats this "Go Pats" thing. Hell, they don't even have a Terrel Owens. (pardon for the reference.)

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Whats this "Go Pats" thing. Hell, they don't even have a Terrel Owens. (pardon for the reference.)

Terrel who???

I know, I know. time to face reality, and change it.

NEXT year. just wait!!

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by chuck

Terrel who???

I know, I know. time to face reality, and change it.

NEXT year. just wait!!

Funny, that's what we say about the SAINTS each year, old joke. They made us proud this year, going to the NFC Championship Game. We love our Saints around here but also our hometown players, Bret Farve and Payton Manning.

[sunnyhillfarm]

Hi Melody Ranch,
We just replaced our 1965 Caravel axle with a Henschen from Inland RV and are very happy with the service from Greg and Andy. Ordered 1/5/07 #10605 10" complete axle - $800.00 plus $185.00 shipping from OH to OR. It was shipped 1/24/07 and received 1/31/07. Dust caps were missing but quickly supplied by Inland RV in 3 days. No instructions, but went in easily with new holes being drilled and shock mounts moved (as explained by Andy). Rides approximately 3/4" higher now. Tires were replaced by TOYO Hyparadial 7:00 x 15 LT 8 Ply Rating Load Range D (2040 lbs max per tire). The best part - no axle/spindle worries, new better brakes and no bouncing! Tony & Linda Starbird

[Melody Ranch]

Nice to not have that aching feeling in the back of your mind about a possible spindle separation at the next bump in the road.

I agree too...Inland was right there when I called about my problems at hand.
Stay in touch...I always have a place to park for the cross country crowd...centrally located too.

[Zed2]

Starbird,
Since the OE tire is Tire 6.70x15, are you having any interference between the tire and the wheel well?
Keith

[Melody Ranch]

I pulled the original 700 x 15 tires (bias) off when I got my Caravel. Put on 225 x 15 radials. 265 x 15 radials would not fit the wheel well. (maybe because of the settled axel?) Radials on Andys recommendation.....Airstream recommedded too.......Lets not let this go to the radial / bias discussion.

[sunnyhillfarm]

The previous owner of our Caravel raised it up 1 1/2" by welding a reinforced steel plate on the axle mount. This gave us 1" of clearance on the lower forward curb side wheel well to tire. Other clearances were just fine. The new axle did not change the clearance. Shocks were changed also to original dimension NAPA/Monroe #94005. New brakes are wearing in quickly.