Squeaky axles - are Henschens quieter?

[AlbertF]

I have noticed that the Dexter axles on my Airstream (installed by PO) squeak while going over bumps, etc. I typically notice this at low speed when I have my window open, e.g. driving around a campground.

A couple of days ago I was out for my morning walk and noticed a tandem axle enclosed cargo trailer (owned by a contractor) start off across an intersection. It made exactly the same noise that my trailer makes. Many of these low-floor enclosed trailers use Dexter axles.

I find this curious because I have seen a number of reference to Henschen axles that proclaim how quiet they are.

My question: Is the squeaking (steel rods on rubber) typical of rubber torsion axles? Or are Henschens in fact quieter?

[Janet H]

Our Henschens don't squeek - but often weight distributing hitches do....

Are you sure it's not your hitch set up?

[AlbertF]

The hitch may be squeaking; a careful greasing may be in order.

However, the cargo trailer behind the pickup did not have a wdh.

[Janet H]

We have a cargo trailer and it has leaf springs. They do squeek sometimes....

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

I have noticed that the Dexter axles on my Airstream (installed by PO) squeak while going over bumps, etc. I typically notice this at low speed when I have my window open, e.g. driving around a campground.

A couple of days ago I was out for my morning walk and noticed a tandem axle enclosed cargo trailer (owned by a contractor) start off across an intersection. It made exactly the same noise that my trailer makes. Many of these low-floor enclosed trailers use Dexter axles.

I find this curious because I have seen a number of reference to Henschen axles that proclaim how quiet they are.

My question: Is the squeaking (steel rods on rubber) typical of rubber torsion axles? Or are Henschens in fact quieter?

The squeaking is caused by the torsion arm rubbing against the square tube.

Flood the area with "silicone spray." You may have to repeat the lubrication.

Four frozen "deformed" rubber rods are place on the square shaft and then inserted into the square tube. It is at that point of the assembly that care must be taken so the torsion arm does not touch the square tube.

Doesn't really hurt anything, just sounds bad.

Andy

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

The squeaking is caused by the torsion arm rubbing against the square tube.

Flood the area with "silicone spray." You may have to repeat the lubrication.

Four frozen "deformed" rubber rods are place on the square shaft and then inserted into the square tube. It is at that point of the assembly that care must be taken so the torsion arm does not touch the square tube.

Doesn't really hurt anything, just sounds bad.

Andy

Thanks, Andy. It's good to know that it's not abnormal, and that there is a simple solution.