The question that bugs me about Dexters is .....

[Chuck]

Here's a question that's been bugging me IRT the never-ending debate:

If Dexter is making axles for new Airstream trailers....do these new axles come with shock mounts? and if so, why can't they put them on a new axle for an OLD airstream? Or perhaps they can?

Didn't someone report in another thread that they got an "exact replacement", including these brackets?

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by chuck

If Dexter is making axles for new Airstream trailers....do these new axles come with shock mounts? and if so, why can't they put them on a new axle for an OLD airstream? Or perhaps they can?

I almost hesitate to touch the axle topic ... no guts, no glory. After a couple Henschen supply incidents (including not putting any lube in some wheel bearings ), Airstream went to Dexters in the first half of 2005 and continued this until Jan or Feb 2006 IIRC, and then went back to Henschens. My Safari has those Dexters and, yes, they have shock mounts.

[axleman]

Originally Posted by chuck

Here's a question that's been bugging me IRT the never-ending debate:

If Dexter is making axles for new Airstream trailers....do these new axles come with shock mounts? and if so, why can't they put them on a new axle for an OLD airstream? Or perhaps they can?

Didn't someone report in another thread that they got an "exact replacement", including these brackets?

Chuck,

I have seen Airstream trailers with Dexter axles and no shock brackets. As have several others. Others say they have seen Airstream trailers with Dexter axles and shocks.

Regardless - Dexter would likely provide a shock mount bracket if desired as long as:

1. You talked to the right person -Dexter is a very large company. The largest torsion axle manufacturer in the USA with over 300 dealers.
2. They do indeed put them on Airstreams.

As axles are made one at a time the extra effort to add the shock mount bracket is nill. As long as Dexter Engineering has a part number for this bracket - it could easily be placed on an order form and thus added to your axle!

Regards,
Henry

[CanoeStream]

Right Henry -- You can bet Airstream was careful to spec their exact desires for the interval that Dexter supplied them. Aftermarket dealers, installers or individuals may not be knowing exactly what to say. Be informed.

[TOM CRUMP]

Chuck, I had Dexter replacement axles installed by a dexter dealer last summer on my 70 overlander. Although I did not request shock brackets, when the axles were delivered, they came with shock brackets, I am not running shocks. After running the new dexters over 4k miles I have no complaints. The contents of the coach remain in place after a run. Before the new axles, stuff would be thrown around. When ordering from dexter you can spec just about anything you want. In fact I seem to remember reading a guy had spec'd 45 degree down angle on a sovereign. I would recommend the nevrlube bearings, eliminates the chore of packing bearings.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, not that it makes any difference to me, but how can you tell if you have Dexter or Henschen axles? My Safari was made in 2004, maybe about July. Is there something that can be seen without removeing parts [brakes Etc.] or taking the axles out of the trailer to identify them?

[LI Pets]

Crawl under there and look for a tag on the square tube.

[Pick]

I really don't think the shocks make that much difference. Yeah, I put new ones on mine, but only because the previous owner bought them and never installed them, so when I purchased new Henschen's from IRV, I put them on.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, not that it makes any difference to me, but how can you tell if you have Dexter or Henschen axles? My Safari was made in 2004, maybe about July. Is there something that can be seen without removeing parts [brakes Etc.] or taking the axles out of the trailer to identify them?

hi bob

you trailer has henschen axles.

in addition to the tag,

the owner manual/paperwork included a typed/printed component list...

for axles, ac, fridge, frame, toilet, water pump/heater, furnace, inverter and so on....

with brand, model and serial number for each major item.

mine even has the serial numbers for the original tires, which are now gone...

cheers
2air'

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

Crawl under there and look for a tag on the square tube.

Hi, thank you for the tag information; I already crawled under my trailer to find the jacking markers. Now I'll just crawl a bit further to see if I can find the axle tags.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi bob

you trailer has henschen axles.

in addition to the tag,

the owner manual/paperwork included a typed/printed component list...

for axles, ac, fridge, frame, toilet, water pump/heater, furnace, inverter and so on....

with brand, model and serial number for each major item.

mine even has the serial numbers for the original tires, which are now gone...

cheers
2air'

Hi, 2air. I have gone through that huge mass of owner's manual several times, but that's a lot of information for an old person like me to try to memorize. Now I use it more for referrence, one item at a time. Me being a Ford person all my life, My wife just bought a BMW, talking about owner's manuals; There is a book for everything plus a DVD and a CD Rom. I guess I'll never run out of things to read!

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, thank you for the tag information; I already crawled under my trailer to find the jacking markers. Now I'll just crawl a bit further to see if I can find the axle tags.

The tag should be near the center of the axle, either front or rear.

[SafeHarbor]

And gee, gosh, I hope that A/S was still not putting misleading "jack" stickers under the trailers where one should not try jacking as late as 2005!

Lamar