Epiphany Gets new Axles

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by gparker

... Where are you going camping? We still want to meet you, Sarah, and Mac at CLear Springs sometime.
Have fun and keep us informed of the new performance after new axles!
Greg

Greg,
We missed hooking up with ya'll during spring break at Clear Creek, It snuck up on us so we just crashed at a local camp 'mougunst the screaming hoards...
I looks good for us to split and do 2 1/2 to 3 weeks heading for Tetons/Yellowstone pretty soon. I'll do some posts...

[munimula]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

I looks good for us to split and do 2 1/2 to 3 weeks heading for Tetons/Yellowstone pretty soon. I'll do some posts...

Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your vintage rig is riding down the road on brand spanking new suspension and brake systems. Happy trails Hi Ho Aluminum.

[GreatPumpkin]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Here is the only thing I haven’t seen photos of. I built a template, sawing it out and using it to fit the axles to the trailer. By doing this the rear slot in the axle becomes a notch and locks the axle into position. Plus I didn’t hog out the hole in my ‘stream!

Great tip, great idea! - Saves you from having to lay on the ground while drilling out the holes - not very much fun! Glad your axle saga worked out. Enjoy the new ride.

JB

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Here's a photo (The PO used blue painters tape...)
All the other sections are in good shape so I only need the one small piece.

A care package showed up today... Thanks Dennis!

[TomW]

Originally Posted by TomW

... I need to order a couple of bin latches now that I think about it. ...

On Monday, I finally remembered to place an order with Andy for the bin latches, and a couple of door latches.

The parts arrived today (Thursday), here in AL, via USPS priority mail even though I did not indicate a rush.

S&H was appropriate for any kind of transportation.

Thanks, Andy.

Now Kim won't have to pick up crap from the bin with the [formerly] broken latch on next week's trip to Mirtle Beach.

Tom

[HiHoAgRV]

After 2 months and a 5,000 mile 'break in' tour I finally got a free afternoon to install the recording instruments back into Epiffiany and record the ride harshness with the new axles. The road conditions on the test loop seem to be unchanged since the 1st round of recordings with the old axles so the only difference will be the effect of new axles without shocks. It'll be Monday before I can crunch the numbers and post the results but at least the data is recorded.

I can comment that since the replacement I have been able to keep most of the clothes hanging in the rear closet - prior to the axle swap it was a given that everything would be piled in the floor upon arrival at the campground.

[HiHoAgRV]

In the words of Gomer Pyle, USMC... Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Mathmatically, the new axles only made a minor difference. The total energy transfered into the shell did drop about 10% which is a good thing but visually reviewing the graphs it's tough to tell any difference.

The Pink data is the Old Axles, old shocks, no WD bars on the hitch
The Yellow is the New Axles, no shocks, no WD bars on the hitch

The graph is 20.6 seconds of data including 3 'steps' onto and exiting small bridges. Not really rough but a noticable step. This is the same section as shown in post #60.

My analysis of the data? The old axles were causing things to break in the trailer and the new ones don't, this I'm sure of. Both runs were lightly loaded. Perhaps the old axles only had issues on big bumps and my test loop didn't have any of those? I still get the 3hz bounce that replicates a tire compressing and rebounding.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

In the words of Gomer Pyle, USMC... Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Mathmatically, the new axles only made a minor difference. The total energy transfered into the shell did drop about 10% which is a good thing but visually reviewing the graphs it's tough to tell any difference.

The Pink data is the Old Axles, old shocks, no WD bars on the hitch
The Yellow is the New Axles, no shocks, no WD bars on the hitch

The graph is 20.6 seconds of data including 3 'steps' onto and exiting small bridges. Not really rough but a noticable step. This is the same section as shown in post #60.

My analysis of the data? The old axles were causing things to break in the trailer and the new ones don't, this I'm sure of. Both runs were lightly loaded. Perhaps the old axles only had issues on big bumps and my test loop didn't have any of those? I still get the 3hz bounce that replicates a tire compressing and rebounding.

Since you have special test equipment that can check a bounce factor, was that test done with or without shocks?

If it was without shocks, then it would be very interesting and informative to have that data as well.

Andy

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

was that test done with or without shocks?

If it was without shocks, then it would be very interesting and informative to have that data as well.

Andy

The 'stream currently is shock-less and I agree, another round of data generation with shocks would be cool...
Since the univolt has boiled dry my battery - the next round of expenses are for a 3 stage charger and a new group 27 battery...

In the meantime, I'm goin' camping.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

The 'stream currently is shock-less and I agree, another round of data generation with shocks would be cool...
Since the univolt has boiled dry my battery - the next round of expenses are for a 3 stage charger and a new group 27 battery...

In the meantime, I'm goin' camping.

Having the with shocks report, I believe, will be very informative.

We will look forward to that post.

Thanks in advance.

Andy