New axle width question

[63SafariTN]

I started an axle replacement on my 63 Safari today. After a little hard work I managed to remove the old axle and began to install the new 4500 pound replacement axle, that I had ordered from Inland RV. The brackets for the new axle matched the width of the frame perfectly, however the distance from hub face to hub face I found to be about 6 inches wider on the new axle. I also found an increased difference between the top of the mounting bracket to the top of the axle, which rendered the holes and slots on the new axle mostly useless ( they are so far below the vertical mounting plate of the frame that there is no material to mount to). Does anyone know if the two conditions imply that I have the wrong axle, or is the beefier 4500 pound axle the issue of my problems. On Monday I will certainly give the nice folks at inland rv a phone call about my questions, but in the meantime if anyone is familiar with these type of axle replacement issues I could sure use some advice.

[rmkrum]

It sounds suspiciously like a axle for a wide body AS.


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[idroba]

6 inches wider means something is very wrong.

When I ordered the axle for my '74 Argosy, I deliberately had it made about 2" narrower than the original one as putting tires on and taking them off of the original was a real pain. The wheels with tires were so close to the outside edge of the wheel wells that it was almost impossible to remove/replace them. The reduction in total axle width improved that greatly. Argosy's had so many running changes and strange things in their production that I guess the original axle just did not fit the frame and body it was used on.

But 6" wider, is just not right and those new axles will need to be replaced I am sure. What happened is anyone's guess at this point.

[HiHoAgRV]

In the early '60's Airstream was still tweaking the axle mounts. If your '63 is like mine, the trailers mounting flanges are just too short for the bolts in the axle to hit any metal. I had to weld on 2" extensions as can be found on my thread below. (I'd look up the exact post but my forum surfing capabilities are not stellar on an iPhone )

Oh, and it does sound like the axle is too wide.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by 63SafariTN

I started an axle replacement on my 63 Safari today. After a little hard work I managed to remove the old axle and began to install the new 4500 pound replacement axle, that I had ordered from Inland RV. The brackets for the new axle matched the width of the frame perfectly, however the distance from hub face to hub face I found to be about 6 inches wider on the new axle. I also found an increased difference between the top of the mounting bracket to the top of the axle, which rendered the holes and slots on the new axle mostly useless ( they are so far below the vertical mounting plate of the frame that there is no material to mount to). Does anyone know if the two conditions imply that I have the wrong axle, or is the beefier 4500 pound axle the issue of my problems. On Monday I will certainly give the nice folks at inland rv a phone call about my questions, but in the meantime if anyone is familiar with these type of axle replacement issues I could sure use some advice.

Well, goes to show you, that I royaly messed up.

One of those days I guess.

The mounting bracket dimension was correct, but the hub face was not.

I apologize for the errror.

A new correct axle has been ordered and will be shipped to your new address.

All no charge, of course.

Andy

[PeterKV]

Having to deal with a local RV dealer that thinks customer service is not important it is really nice to see Inland RVs responce to the problem, 5 stars for sure.

[JCWDCW]

Did you notice how the good guys are really good!
JCW

[63SafariTN]

The customer service at Inland RV has been exceptional. I called about the width problem Monday morning and was called back a couple of hours later to be told that a new axle had been ordered. I would defiantly do buisiness with Mr. Andy and the crew at Inland RV again.

[CBWELL]

Have delt with Andy for several years. Helped me out tremendously when I snapped an axle while at a rally in South Dakota. Top notch service and excellent advice. Chris