Need help axle, brakes and leafs for 1951 flying cloud

[Campmore]

Hi all need help have a 1951 21' flying cloud. Has original axle, leafs shocks and tires. I feel the need to replace all. The trailer is 90% original interior so after a floor and flooring replacement , will put all back as new. Question is I want to put a new axle with new electric brakes, shocks and leaf springs. Also want to replace the split rims and tires with new ones. Willing to spend the money to get the best for this rarer trailer, any help is appreciated. Have a full wood and metal fab shop so redoing brackets etc is no problem. Thanks

[drboyd]

You could probably take measurements and find what you want at etrailer.com or a local trailer (NOT RV) shop.

[Action]

What is wrong with the axle?

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

[Hittenstiehl]

It's from 1951

Call Colin Hyde Plattsburgh New York, 518-578-7772
Colin@colinhydetrailerrestoration.com

He is a very BUSY man, doesn't have an office assistant, sometimes hard to get a hold of. Have your trailer year, make, model, serial number if possible.

[Action]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

It's from 1951

Call Colin Hyde Plattsburgh New York, 518-578-7772
Colin@colinhydetrailerrestoration.com

He is a very BUSY man, doesn't have an office assistant, sometimes hard to get a hold of. Have your trailer year, make, model, serial number if possible.

Colin Hyde sells rubber torsion axles!

This axle is a solid beam with a leaf spring. I would agree the leaf springs, brakes and shocks (if equipped) are worn out. The axle .... aaaa not so much. Unless there is spindle wear which is unlikely.

And changing to a rubber torsion spring axle isn't easy. Sounds like the OP has an original trailer in original condition. Installing a torsion spring axle would spoil the originality and likely greatly reduce the value if the trailer is in original condition.

So my question still stands, why axle replacement?

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

[Action]

As a post script, getting springs or a spring pack built to fit will not be an issue. There may be local spring shops that can do that process. (In Phoenix there are several) In addition there are many on line sources. The original poster may have to drive into Cleveland to get the needed springs built.

You will need dimensions and to know what load capacity. From that you can get a quality set of springs, with bushings to make this trailer safe and original. (There isn't a Airstream source for this)

The greater challenge is hub replacement if that is needed.

>>>>>>>>>Action

[Campmore]

The reason to replace the axle was to upgrade to better electric brakes. Did not know if it was cheaper to do whole new axle or if they made a retrofit brake kit for the original axle. Axle is in good shape no dents or bends. Who would have new leaf packs and shocks also? Thanks!

[markdoane]

I really don't think you will find a nationwide or online supplier for the leaf springs. The most important factors are the width and number of leaves, and the hanger eye-to-eye distance.

Your best bet, as Action said, is to find a local spring shop that can either rework or duplicate the original spring pack. I would not try to fit something from Tractor Supply of Northern Tool or eTrailer.

Your local spring shop can also fix you up with new bushings, U-bolts and hardware.

[Hittenstiehl]

Action thank you for redirecting. I saw he had leaf springs but skimmed over him wanting to keep that style.

Campmore good luck with your leaf springs.

[Action]

Shocks (if this trailer was equipped with them) can be obtained by knowing the dimension. The mount type, the extended and retracted limits one can size the shocks at many auto parts stores. (NAPA comes to mind) These are vertically installed shocks and are fairly easy to find. I would suggest a non-gas shock.

Again spring packs can be made to order. In my local market there are two in Phoenix and one outside of Phoenix.

A variety of bearings and brake hardware can be found fairly easy. Again a local source for me is http://www.autosafetyhouse.com/

The most difficult piece will be replacing the hub with the drum. (If that is needed) I have seen drum surfaces built up with welding and machined to spec in a machine shop. It isn't the cheapest way. However when there is no other way it does work effectively. I have seen this done for many obsolete parts on vehicles that are old and of limited production such that there are no reproduction parts.

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

[Action]

Originally Posted by markdoane

I really don't think you will find a nationwide or online supplier for the leaf springs. The most important factors are the width and number of leaves, and the hanger eye-to-eye distance.

Your best bet, as Action said, is to find a local spring shop that can either rework or duplicate the original spring pack. I would not try to fit something from Tractor Supply of Northern Tool or eTrailer.

Your local spring shop can also fix you up with new bushings, U-bolts and hardware.

http://customsuspension.com/pages/custom-leaf-springs

>>>>>>>>>>Action

[davidlparker]

Originally Posted by Campmore

Hi all need help have a 1951 21' flying cloud. Has original axle, leafs shocks and tires. I feel the need to replace all. The trailer is 90% original interior so after a floor and flooring replacement , will put all back as new. Question is I want to put a new axle with new electric brakes, shocks and leaf springs. Also want to replace the split rims and tires with new ones. Willing to spend the money to get the best for this rarer trailer, any help is appreciated. Have a full wood and metal fab shop so redoing brackets etc is no problem. Thanks

Contact P&S Trailer Services, Helena, OH @ www.pandstrailerservices.com. They have done work for me and will be doing work for me again in the future. They probably can give you a quote over the phone. Check their website and decide for yourself. They are not far from your location. You could even go there for a visit prior to deciding what to do and with whom to do it.

David Parker
1969 Sovereign 31'
1989 Dodge D-350

[Action]

The link above is almost correct.

http://www.pandstrailerservice.com/

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

[Campmore]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

It's from 1951

Call Colin Hyde Plattsburgh New York, 518-578-7772
Colin@colinhydetrailerrestoration.com

He is a very BUSY man, doesn't have an office assistant, sometimes hard to get a hold of. Have your trailer year, make, model, serial number if possible.

We've tried. We wanted him to do the appraisals before and after restoration and we also wanted to hire him to consult. His VM is full and we've emailed him last week with still no word back. Not sure what to do next since we really do need to get an appraisal going for insurance coverage.

[Action]

You might reach out to your insurance company to get a referral or two for a valuation. In the event of a large claim they would be doing the same thing. (Contacting some professional for a market valuation)

Know that an appraisal or valuation has a shelf life. So it kind of depends on how you want to be covered. If you are looking for replacement markets can and do change. If you wanted to buy the same or similar trailer in 2010 it would have been far less money.

Now back to the original topic.

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

[Campmore]

Found a local spring shop in Akron, will be visiting them soon, talked to The Airstream place in Helena, very helpful . I'll be working on the axle and leaves this weekend , let's hope all goes well !