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scottanlily · 06-12-2006, 09:57 PM

Yes ,definatley stronger ,Notice the significant spindle size differences as shown. the 1 3/8 is much heavier duty than the 1 1/16 size .You would be surprised if you compared the two side by side ,big time difference! Now if the originally ordered axle with the 1 1/16 spindle were used you can see how much weaker it is than the larger 1 3/8 spindle is .Also remember that with the larger spindle you get the larger bearings as well. All good stuff there.

Scott

AirstreamGypsy · 06-13-2006, 08:49 AM

Actually I am waiting to be rung up today and told to come down to have the axle installed. It turns out "my guy" ordered the #9 axle from Dexter which is ???# to 2200xx#. The next one up, Number 10 goes from 2300# to 3000#. He has sent the first back and is waiting for the second.

Now, I got these numbers from the Dexter website so at the moment it does not seem as if the spindle measurement coincides.

Also, as I didn't want to kill my trailer and even though reccomended by some, I decided not to go with the 3000# and had them speck it to 2800#.

Still hoping to have this installed before leaving for the trip to Salem.

Thanks to you all for your helpful input. I will let you know when the axle is installed.

scottanlily · 06-13-2006, 09:36 PM

According to henrys posted spindle # info ,you will still get the 1 3/8
spindle so still better than the first choice .Your choice to go 2800 # is fine
as its only 200 # less .You won't beat up the trailer anyway even with the 3000# as it still would be correct .Remember ,its how much load also you will be carrying in your trailer as well that affects the ride .

Good luck

Scott

axleman · 06-14-2006, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirstrmGypsy

I will let you know when the axle is installed.

Looking forward to it - I wish you the best!

Regards,
Henry

Inland RV Center, In · 06-14-2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirstrmGypsy

Actually I am waiting to be rung up today and told to come down to have the axle installed. It turns out "my guy" ordered the #9 axle from Dexter which is ???# to 2200xx#. The next one up, Number 10 goes from 2300# to 3000#. He has sent the first back and is waiting for the second.

Now, I got these numbers from the Dexter website so at the moment it does not seem as if the spindle measurement coincides.

Also, as I didn't want to kill my trailer and even though reccomended by some, I decided not to go with the 3000# and had them speck it to 2800#.

Still hoping to have this installed before leaving for the trip to Salem.

Thanks to you all for your helpful input. I will let you know when the axle is installed.

Airstream and Henschen engineers, specified a 2500 pound axle for your 61 Bambi.

They still say, no more and certainly, no less, for normal usage.

Andy

axleman · 06-14-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Bottom line in your case, is anything "over" or "under" a 3000 pound rating, will not meet the approval of the engineers, nor will it stand the test of time.

That has been proven over and over again. We will not supply an axle other than 3000 pounds for any Bambi or Caravel built prior to 1969.

Guess work, for an torsion axle rating, has never been one of the formulas mathematical elements.

Andy

Andy,

What am I missing here?

Please inform,
Henry

scottanlily · 06-15-2006, 12:13 AM

Hey Andy ,

are you saying yes or no or both?

Scott

Inland RV Center, In · 06-15-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottanlily

Hey Andy ,

are you saying yes or no or both?

Scott

Scott.

It depends on which year and what length. So the answer is yes and no. Sorry. Some apparent confusion took place back then, but the powers that be, still stand by the original specs, for the smaller trailers.

Andy

axleman · 06-15-2006, 09:28 AM

Andy,

Is that the 2500# or 3000# original spec?

Please inform,
Henry

AirstreamGypsy · 10-17-2006, 01:04 PM

Well, the timing, money, energy, etc. is right. So I am back in the saddle again

So to speak.

I have taken Gypsy down to the RV repair shop for the axle replacement. They are letting me help to the extent that I can. I am not going to do any welding or reverse welding whatever that is called.

It is a 3000 lb. axle.

This is how nervous I am.

AirstreamGypsy · 10-17-2006, 01:13 PM

I didn't really know you could take a picture like that with a digital camera

I took a couple of shots of the axle before removal. I never do seem to get just the right shot.

AirstreamGypsy · 10-17-2006, 01:15 PM

From the other side of the trailer

AirstreamGypsy · 10-17-2006, 01:21 PM

With both the wheel and hub off. Curb side and Street Side.

AirstreamGypsy · 10-17-2006, 01:27 PM

So we're thinking that perhaps the shock is not a factory mount. Rough job. See if you can see it in the photo. I could move the shock in and out with my hands. The compression seemed the same both in and out.

AirstreamGypsy · 10-17-2006, 01:39 PM

I missed the top bolt for the shock. Notice the V shape to the bar holding the shock. It was welded to the axle frame, which was welded to the trailer frame.

AirstreamGypsy · 10-17-2006, 01:46 PM

One side coming off. This is Clark.

AirstreamGypsy · 10-17-2006, 01:58 PM

For today anyway. When I left Clark was still busy "cleaning up" the welded area. We are going to mount a bracket on the frame and then bolt the axle "frame" I call it, to the bracket.

The frame over all look in good shape. We were goint to take off the belly pan and put the bubble insulation in. He is not comfortable removing the large rivets that attach the belly to the frame. So we will see if it is advantageous to slide some bubble/foil insulation in, as the belly pan is actually two pieces joined in the middle.

AirstreamGypsy · 10-20-2006, 02:48 PM

had to take an emergency trip to the dentist. Yuk!

Here is the trailer with the new axle, 5 lug rims instead of the old 4, and new baby moons!

I guess I need to become more AR (anal retentive) I don't have a decent comparison photo. But it looks as though I have gained about 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Just about right.

AirstreamGypsy · 11-12-2006, 07:52 AM

Wow, oh wow!

I had no idea how much difference the new axle would make, nor how much it was needed. Go out one and all, those who have a vintage trailer and are wondering if you need a new axle. It was worth every penny.

I just got back from a trip to Santa Monica, CA --- San Diego, CA --- Tucson (met a knew Airstream owner!) --- Karchner Caverns, AZ --- Tombstone, AZ --- Bisbee, AZ (great town) --- Morenci, AZ (a company owned mining town that moves when then need to mine where the houses are. Definitely worth a visit.) --- Quemado, NM (hmmm.... although quite rundown and small, this town sports a number of small restaurants and some wi-fi)

So, through all these back roads with all their attendant bumps and ditches, NOTHING jumped off shelves. I had gotten used to having to put away errant items everytime I stopped.

Tracked beautifully and my mileage increased as well.

Brakes worked so well and the new brake controller is the bomb!

Tucson Sunset below..