New Axles

[LHall]

I just wanted to take a minute to say... Hooray! My new axles arrived and I installed them over the weekend. I will post some pictures when I get the chance to download them from the camera. I have to say that the project was not nearly as difficult as I imagined it would be. The new axles from Inland RV went right up in the slots. The hole drilling was not that bad and everything bolted up nicely. I did however discover one issue that was a problem on the first axle. Since the arms were nearly at a negative angle, the bolts would not come out far enough to drop the axles. I had to cut them off and the axle came right out. On the rear axle, I discovered that if I jacked up the arm it moved just enough to get the bolts out and no cutting was needed. I am amazed at the height difference in the trailer. I must have gained at least 4" in height. The new axles have a space between the belly pan and the top of the cross piece. This was nice when re-routing the gas line for the water heater. I just tucked it up next to the belly pan and re-fastened it to the belly pan. Now the gas lines are up and out of the way of any road debris.

I only towed it about 15 miles since and what a difference in the ride. I feel much more confident about the safety and roadworthiness of my 45 yo. trailer.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by lhall

The new axles have a space between the belly pan and the top of the cross piece. This was nice when re-routing the gas line for the water heater. I just tucked it up next to the belly pan and re-fastened it to the belly pan. Now the gas lines are up and out of the way of any road debris.

Are you sure the axles won't in time pinch off the gas lines?

[LHall]

Originally Posted by Marshall

Are you sure the axles won't in time pinch off the gas lines?

There is at least a 2" space there and the upper bracket on the axles is tight against the trailer frame. If the gas lines were routed in the center of the trailer, I may say yes, but as you know the axles have a bow in the main cross bar which leaves a nice space on the edges. The axle brackets would have to break in order to pinch off the gas line.

[overlander63]

I looked at that with our 63, and there is space between the axle tube and the belly pan to route the line above the axles. Just make sure the line is secured tot he belly pan so road vibration doesn't eventually rub a hole in the copper line.

[LHall]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I looked at that with our 63, and there is space between the axle tube and the belly pan to route the line above the axles. Just make sure the line is secured tot he belly pan so road vibration doesn't eventually rub a hole in the copper line.

I agree with that advice and did just that. I used the factory aluminum clips and riveted the gasline up to the belly pan. It worked great.

[LHall]

Moving dollies made it easy to maneuver the axles under the trailer.

[LHall]

More photos

[bobkelly]

Congratulations. Glad to hear it was less of a deal than expected. This is good input to the database on axle replacement and the pictures help a lot.

[Deano69LY]

Nice work! What type of angle did you order on the torsion arm to get that much clearance improvement?

Deano

[LHall]

Originally Posted by Deano69LY

Nice work! What type of angle did you order on the torsion arm to get that much clearance improvement?

Deano

Hello Deano,

When I ordered the Axles from Inland, Greg asked me if I wanted to upgrade to the 3000 # axles which I did, he informed me that they would have a 33 degree angle, if I remember correctly.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by lhall

Hello Deano,

When I ordered the Axles from Inland, Greg asked me if I wanted to upgrade to the 3000 # axles which I did, he informed me that they would have a 33 degree angle, if I remember correctly.

Make that starting angle 35 degrees.

Andy