GKN/Henschen Closing

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by D. Hall

Are Henschen axles the original type axles which came on our AS's?

Deb

Yes.

Andy

[Air Cruiser]

Thanks Andy.

I'm going to be watching for your reply whenever the time's right for your update to come out (if I've been following this thread correctly). Next Spring (or possibly Winter) we are going to be ordering axles for our 1969 Tradewind. (As well as shocks and that balancer for the wheels, I can't remember what it's called.)

Deb

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by D. Hall

Thanks Andy.

I'm going to be watching for your reply whenever the time's right for your update to come out (if I've been following this thread correctly). Next Spring (or possibly Winter) we are going to be ordering axles for our 1969 Tradewind. (As well as shocks and that balancer for the wheels, I can't remember what it's called.)

Deb

Good things sometimes takes a while to finalize.

The balancers are called Centramatics.

Andy

[Mikethefixit]

Man Im sure glad I got mine when I did. There are always kinks in new operations. But I hope not.
Craig, be careful OBEY the Speed limits WATCH OUT FOR CRAZY'S . When ya see em let em go GET away from em.LOL
GOOD LUCK
Roger

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Good things sometimes takes a while to finalize.

The balancers are called Centramatics.

Andy

So Andy, what is the news with the Axis purchase of GKN's tooling and equipment? I'll be buying axles soon and wonder who to call for the originals.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by pb379_2010

So Andy, what is the news with the Axis purchase of GKN's tooling and equipment? I'll be buying axles soon and wonder who to call for the originals.

We have all the original specs and part numbers.

So far, Axis has redirected Airstream and Argosy owners to us for ordering.

Andy

[Aviator]

AS I posted earlier, I ordered a new set of axles from Axis through Andy/ Inland RV. Since I was planning to be in Indianapolis for Thanksgiving anyway, Andy set it up for me to pick them up at the factory in Elkhart, Indiana. Axis Products makes a ton of axles. From small ones for our trailers up to monsters. They were stacked around the yard when I got to the factory. the people couldn't have been nicer. Pickup was easy as was the drive back to Atlanta. Just a side note for those considering pickup, I have a 2009 F150 with a 5 1/2' bed. With the tailgate down, I had about three inches of extra room with the axles fully supported and tied down very securely.

For all intents and purposes these are exact matches for the original Henschen axles on our 97 Airstream. I will write a separate thread with installation pictures.

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by Aviator

For all intents and purposes these are exact matches for the original Henschen axles on our 97 Airstream.

Craig:

Hopefully you did not cover this earlier and I missed it, but why are you replacing the axles on your '97? Seems like your trailer is way too new for that.

-Tim

[Aviator]

The trailer sat for about 10 years without moving. The result was that without exercise, the rubber rods in the axles essentially "froze" and provided no suspension. When I would jack the trailer up, the tires wouldn't drop at all, just frozen in place. The new axles move very nicely and the trailer rides almost three inches higher, just like when it was new.

[Aviator]

I am currently resizing my pictures, so that I can load them into a thread describing the install. I think I will call it "New Henschen/Axis Axle installation" Give me about 20 minutes and hopefully it will be up.

[pickerdd]

How often should an Airstream be moved to exercise the axles? My '71 Safari's axles need to be replaced, which I'll do this coming Spring. I don't know the history of my AS other than what the previous owner relayed to me when I bought it from him, so I don't know if it sat in place for years with little or no movement before he bought it.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by pickerdd

How often should an Airstream be moved to exercise the axles? My '71 Safari's axles need to be replaced, which I'll do this coming Spring. I don't know the history of my AS other than what the previous owner relayed to me when I bought it from him, so I don't know if it sat in place for years with little or no movement before he bought it.

There are no stats to provide an exact positive answer to your question.

However, experience can offer one.

Move the trailer at least once a year for 15 or 20 miles, or more. Storing the trailer on jack stands helps, but again, that does not provide the necessary exercise, for the rubber rods.

Also keep in mind, that the life of the rubber rods can be extended, but never forever. Average life of the rubber rods, with frequent exercising, seems to be about 25 years of use. Non use, can ruin the rubber rods in as little as 3 years, again based on experience.

Andy

[Harry W]

If you install new Henschen axles, be sure to check the alignment. Don't assume that it is correct (as I did).

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Harry W

If you install new Henschen axles, be sure to check the alignment. Don't assume that it is correct (as I did).

The torsion axles are aligned, when manufactured.

However, motor freight carriers can and often do unbelieveable damage.

Certainly, checking the alignment is a good thing to do.

Andy

[Dave Park]

I was looking at the google satellite images of Jackson Center a while ago, and I noticed the former GKN/Henschen factory to the northeast. I'm not surprised they closed. The roof of their factory was pitch black.

They probably couldn't make a profit because of the cost of running the AC so hard all summer.

The Airstream factory roof is bright white.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Dave Park

I was looking at the google satellite images of Jackson Center a while ago, and I noticed the former GKN/Henschen factory to the northeast. I'm not surprised they closed. The roof of their factory was pitch black.

They probably couldn't make a profit because of the cost of running the AC so hard all summer.

The Airstream factory roof is bright white.

The Henschen plant's roof was typical industrial heighth, like 24 feet or more.

I have been in that building on a "hot" Jackson Center day, and it was much cooler than outside. Also their working hours took advantage of the cooler hours of the day.

Andy

[Dave Park]

Darn. I forgot the smiley so people would know it was a joke :P

[pickerdd]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

There are no stats to provide an exact positive answer to your question.

However, experience can offer one.

Move the trailer at least once a year for 15 or 20 miles, or more. Storing the trailer on jack stands helps, but again, that does not provide the necessary exercise, for the rubber rods.

Also keep in mind, that the life of the rubber rods can be extended, but never forever. Average life of the rubber rods, with frequent exercising, seems to be about 25 years of use. Non use, can ruin the rubber rods in as little as 3 years, again based on experience.

Andy

Thanks Andy. I appreciate the info. It's amazing how many trailers sit still for the majority of their lives. If nothing else our Moe will (and does) get plenty of exercise moving between the storage facility and our house when I'm working on it, which seems to be most of the spring and summer.

I'm looking forward to getting the new axles installed this coming Spring. It should make the trek out to Kansas in September much more comfortable.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays,

[pickerdd]

Originally Posted by Harry W

If you install new Henschen axles, be sure to check the alignment. Don't assume that it is correct (as I did).

Thanks Harry - will do. I appreciate the heads up.