I thought my new axles were bent!!!

[DryFly]

Well, the sky is not falling. I did crawl under the trailer with a tape and straight edge and determined that the bend is in the approximate center of the axle. I then called Dexter and found that indeed this bend is put in the axle after assembly to achieve a proper camber.
Thank you all for your responses, but I'm embarrassed for not having done my research before reacting so precipitously. Mea Culpa

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by DryFly

t I'm embarrassed for not having done my research before reacting so precipitously. Mea Culpa

I'd be embarrassed to admit how many times I've done just the same. Glad it all worked out in the end.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by DryFly

Well, the sky is not falling. I did crawl under the trailer with a tape and straight edge and determined that the bend is in the approximate center of the axle. I then called Dexter and found that indeed this bend is put in the axle after assembly to achieve a proper camber.
Thank you all for your responses, but I'm embarrassed for not having done my research before reacting so precipitously. Mea Culpa

Hey, No need to be embarrassed. You learned something new and valuable about your trailer. What you saw didn't look right so you took the appropriate action by checking it out here and elsewhere. There is from time to time some inaccurate information disseminated here (maybe even by me)(I doubt that part though), so always check it all out. I'm glad all is well.

Ken

[Action]

Based on the discovery I have changed the name of this thread.

>>>>>>>Action

[tangfish]

Just did a pre-PDI on my 2019 25' Signature RB. Saw the same thing and was pissed. Then I looked under a brand new flying Cloud and the axles had the same bow in the middle. What a relief.

[Fungus]

Valuable information in this thread. Thanks for reporting your suspicions and the conclusion.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

It sure looks like there is a dimple right at the bend point, I have not seen an axle bend that was not concentric across the entire length. Our 63 Safari was and so is the Classic....no dimple.

Bob

Well, guess what, although the originals,('03) had no 'dimples' and were bowed.
The new ones are dimpled and bowed. I'll be damned.

Bob
🇺🇸
Not even installed yet.😂

[Tim A.]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Well, guess what, although the originals,('03) had no 'dimples' and were bowed. The new ones are dimpled and bowed.

The originals were probably Henschen axles and the new ones are probably Dexter.

Tim

[tbrowne]

It would be a good practice for posters to calm down and not begin posts by disparaging others. I see it too many times and I cringe when I see them. Count to 10 or 1000 or whatever you need before casting stones.

[Tim A.]

Originally Posted by tbrowne

It would be a good practice for posters to calm down and not begin posts by disparaging others. I see it too many times and I cringe when I see them. Count to 10 or 1000 or whatever you need before casting stones.

Huh?

This thread began in 2013 and I see no sign of any poster in subsequent years disparaging anyone. If you think I did so with my post immediately above, I certainly did not have that intent.

Tim

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Tim A.

The originals were probably Henschen axles and the new ones are probably Dexter.

Tim

True that...

Bob
🇺🇸

[tangfish]

Is it a curve, bend, or bow?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by tangfish

Is it a curve, bend, or bow?

All of the above.
Plus dimple.
Why...does it matter?

Bob
🇺🇸

[Ray Eklund]

Lamar: We build trailers that last

Spring vs. Torsion Trailer Axles: What's the Big Deal?

There are some great videos of Torsion Axles on the Internet. I learned a lot. I made a copy of their comparison for reference.

There was one video where the axle was cut in the center to fit. The Rubber for the Torsion did not appear to go all the way across... either. One guy was fitting Axles to fit a flat bed trailer and was showing how to weld it, without damaging the rubber.

[ROBERT CROSS]

^
YES

The 'beam' is only there to hold the spindles apart, and to give the uninformed a place to jack the trailer. NOT 👎

ie The axles are 'aligned' on a jig during manufacture, and tweaked a bit after install if needed.
POI... I watched the tech do the measurements. Our install was well within specs, no adjustments needed.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Lamar: We build trailers that last



Spring vs. Torsion Trailer Axles: What's the Big Deal?



There are some great videos of Torsion Axles on the Internet. I learned a lot. I made a copy of their comparison for reference.



There was one video where the axle was cut in the center to fit. The Rubber for the Torsion did not appear to go all the way across... either. One guy was fitting Axles to fit a flat bed trailer and was showing how to weld it, without damaging the rubber.

The "cut in half" axles were used in 1980's AVION trailers. Avions have a very stout frame (8" triple I-beam) and the cut axles gave them the equivalent of an independent suspension. The jack easily works on the frame of an Avion.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Lamar: We build trailers that last

Spring vs. Torsion Trailer Axles: What's the Big Deal?

There are some great videos of Torsion Axles on the Internet. I learned a lot. I made a copy of their comparison for reference.

There was one video where the axle was cut in the center to fit. The Rubber for the Torsion did not appear to go all the way across... either. One guy was fitting Axles to fit a flat bed trailer and was showing how to weld it, without damaging the rubber.

AS has always touted it's 'independent' suspension.

Bob
🇺🇸

[azflycaster]

It is my understanding that the capacity of the axle is determined by the length of the rubber rods. To increase the capacity, they use longer rods...

[Action]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

It is my understanding that the capacity of the axle is determined by the length of the rubber rods. To increase the capacity, they use longer rods...

My understanding as well.

There are 2 may be 3 axle tube diameters. The load capacity differences are accomplished by increasing or decreasing the length of the rubber rods.

Action

[Daytonacoupe]

Geez, jacking a naked 240lb axle up into place twists the tube and puts it out of alignment? I do understand not lifting the trailer using the axle as a jacking point but am surprised to hear that the axle won’t tolerate its own weight