2000 19'Bambi 40,000 miles axle replacement?

[GaryRI]

Just bought it last month. The previous owner tells me he had the brakes serviced last year and as far as I can see he kept it in tip top shape. I won't be using it until December when I drive it to Texas. I'll be staying there thru February and probably leave it there in storage.

At 19 years old and with this many miles should I just have the axle replaced?

[AlinCal]

They don't wear out with miles but more with time sitting where the internal rubber cords harden and take a set in the weighted position. Jack your trailer and take measurements from wheel well to axle center and compare with the static loaded measurement, should have in the neighborhood of 2" of travel.
the axle arm should be at 22 degrees down with no load on it .
I'm guessing you are entering the timeframe where they start to harden and take a set.
The other indicator is when towing the trailer bounces down the road and not nice and smooth running on a decent road surface.