What specs for 78 Sovereign axle?

[The Beard]

We are renovating our 78 AS Sovereign. I am in contact with various suppliers to see who has the best product and best deal. However I don't know the specs for the tandem axle system.

My question is, what specs should I be looking for to communicate with the vendors?

Thank you

[Belegedhel]

Just to get a quote, you will need the width of the assembly, the proposed down angle of the torsion arm, the size of the brake drum, whether you want electric brakes or not, whether you want a shock stud or not, and the working load of the axle.

good luck!

[Action]

And axle load capacity.

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

[TG Twinkie]

The original axle should have a name plate which will give you the original specs.

[dbj216]

Hi T. Beard and welcome to Air Forums. I'm traveling tomorrow to pick up my new axles for my 75 Overlander. I have felt your pain.

There are several, or many, specifications needed to describe an Airstream axle. Replacement axles for vintage Airstreams is going to get harder and harder as the "cross reference" data from an Airstream part number to a actual axle engineering specification for an order becomes more obscure.

Dexter is currently the only manufacturer of rubber rod, swing arm, "dura torque", or "flex torque" trailer axles. But Dexter has their ways and that does not always fit what Airstream did 40 years ago.

Dexter has an order form. You record what you want, send that form with your check, and they will build an axle for you. There is no returns on a custom axle. I can tell you that I can not measure my old axles accurately enough to complete their form.

So I got some help. There are several Airstream axle suppliers that know the specs and know how to order from Dexter. Redneck Trailers there in Texas is one of those suppliers. I have purchased axles from Colin Hyde in New York with good success. Just a lot of people use Inland RV in California, also with good success. I will pick up my new axles from Luke's Airstream in Colorado, Ft. Collins. He also is very knowledgeable and asks all the right questions. And I live just 2 hours away.

Here are some of the specifications needed:

Desired weight rating of each axle in pounds
Type of brakes and wheel stud bolt circle
up to 3500 pounds are 10" drums, the 5000 pound axles are 12" drums
Starting angle of the swing arm
Distance between drum brake hub faces
Distance between mounting bracket outside surfaces
Regular mounting brackets or "high lift" brackets
Shock mounting bracket location and stud diameter

And more specs I forgot.

Here is a photo of the nameplate from my old axles. There is an Airstream part number. I think Dexter distributors would say "so what". I recommend you find an Airstream axle expert and begin the process that way.

David

[worden]

I initially tried to go through a local trailer supply vendor but could not get a good fuzzy feeling that I was going to get the right stuff. So I talked with Inland Rv and ended up ordering from them. I wanted to stay with disk brakes and also bought a Kodiak package from them. They are all bolted up now and look great. These are 3500 pound axles. I removed 3200 pound axles. The square tube is now larger so instead of enlarging the slot in the frame I added spacers to provide ~3 inches lift. Good support from Inland.

[Bidlack78]

Originally Posted by worden

I initially tried to go through a local trailer supply vendor but could not get a good fuzzy feeling that I was going to get the right stuff. So I talked with Inland Rv and ended up ordering from them. I wanted to stay with disk brakes and also bought a Kodiak package from them. They are all bolted up now and look great. These are 3500 pound axles. I removed 3200 pound axles. The square tube is now larger so instead of enlarging the slot in the frame I added spacers to provide ~3 inches lift. Good support from Inland.

Attachment 305815

I’m picking up a 75 sovereign in a couple weeks. Trying to sort out my first move. Axles, tires, or framework.

[dbj216]

Welcome bidjack: I've got a 75 Overlander 27', 4 feet shorter than your Sovereign. It will very likely need new axles, but the axles are one of the last things to assemble. You don't need them for all the months it will be on jack stands.

You have to assess your trailer's needs and then develop the project plan. Start from the tires up. Many of these seventies trailers have frame problems, mine did. Do the "bumper bounce" test and watch for a gap that might open between the body and the frame rail. Do the "ice pick" probe all round the trailer's parameter and assess rotted subfloor. The rear floor is likely rotted away. Test the appliances carefully and decide which ones are keepers. I'm keeping the cooktop only. Test plumbing and electrical. My converter was goofy and my water tanks broken and leaking. Keep working your way up the trailer until you get to the vents. Wow, what a list of needs.

Then get to work. It will take quite a bit of time.

David

[Happyjoemay]

I have a 1972 Sov 31. Can you tell me what you purchased and from who? This all seems so difficult with zero room for error. I am trying to gather as much info from other here before throwing money out there. Thanks!