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Old 05-05-2007, 11:16 AM   #1
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axle for 63 tradewind

I have torsion bar on my axle is this better or worse then leaf springs? also how do i know if axle springs are bad? also if i replace the shocks will that help the axle? I just purchased this a week ago totally gutting it should be done in a month will put pictures on here before and after also i thought you were talking about total weight of trailer from factory manufacturer says its 3500# with 415# tongue weight but how do i check numbers on axle?
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Old 05-07-2007, 07:43 AM   #2
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Torsion and leaf are different from each other. Both have good and nopt so good aspects.

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Old 05-07-2007, 10:04 AM   #3
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Torsion Axle

If what you have is good, great.
If you use the "search" option and type in "torsion axle" you will find a huge list of threads. There are different schools of thought and it is worth taking the time to learn them.
Why not wait a bit on the axle to figure out just how much weight your rig will carry when you finish your restoration/customization?
You might find that the axle you need is different than what you think.

R
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Old 07-20-2007, 10:13 AM   #4
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yaaaa hooooo I just bought a brand new Dexter Axle for 511.25 Brand new complete with brakes and bearings with a 6000lb cap What A Deal minneapolis wanted 692.25 for a 5200lb cap so I went to the country and bought one from a small axle place hopefully this will help others who are looking and do do do research to get a killer deal GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO NEEDS ONE im going to be singing on the road again by willie until next time take care of yourself whoever you are
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Old 07-24-2007, 05:28 PM   #5
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You will be happy with your purchase down the road as well - Dexter has over 300 service centers accross the U.S.A.

You're in good hands!

Cheers,
Henry
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Old 07-25-2007, 01:08 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1963tradewin
yaaaa hooooo I just bought a brand new Dexter Axle for 511.25 Brand new complete with brakes and bearings with a 6000lb cap What A Deal minneapolis wanted 692.25 for a 5200lb cap so I went to the country and bought one from a small axle place hopefully this will help others who are looking and do do do research to get a killer deal GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO NEEDS ONE im going to be singing on the road again by willie until next time take care of yourself whoever you are
Unless you heavily load your Airstream, the 6000 pound axle will certainly take a negative toll on the trailer shell and it's components.

6000 pounds is 1000 pounds over the Airstream engineered requirements.

Andy
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Old 07-31-2007, 10:22 AM   #7
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Rivet axle

Good call andy, since it takes 2 weeks for a custom order im safe I called my guy and he said it will not be a problem to change it to a 5200lbs they will just have to shave the rubber deal running thru the axle sounded kinda funny to me so i asked he said this is how you get a 5200 one when buying new will have to pick up myself in st cloud so i dont have to pay frieght will be ready in about a week and my guy says it will be cheaper then the 6000 lbs one too thanks again for the advice
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Old 07-31-2007, 10:34 AM   #8
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these are the rims and tires i'll be using, I got 10 ply instead of 8 because i read that you want tough tires on single axle tradewind
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Old 07-31-2007, 11:21 AM   #9
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Good move on the axle. Those tires won't take you much above 5200#. I had 12 plys on my Tradewind, they rode pretty hard.

Do you have a skid bar or other means to keep the wheel off the pavement if the tire goes flat?
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Old 07-31-2007, 07:24 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
Good move on the axle. Those tires won't take you much above 5200#. I had 12 plys on my Tradewind, they rode pretty hard.

Do you have a skid bar or other means to keep the wheel off the pavement if the tire goes flat?
No skid bar. Was this an option in 63? Do I need one? On the tires Im hoping mine dont ride hard just wanted a little extra security.
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Old 07-31-2007, 08:23 PM   #11
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I don't know for sure. I put solid plates under the spring mounting plates on my '59 Tradewind, but that was a leaf spring axle. The skid plate protects the U-bolts that hold the axle on.

On a single axle torsion axle I don't know what the recommendation is. What would happen if you had a blowout? Would the entire underside of the trailer be ripped up, or would the wheel and hub keep everything out of the asphault.

As you can see in the picture, if I have a flat the first thing to touch down would be the bottom spring mounting plate.
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Old 07-31-2007, 09:27 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
I don't know for sure. I put solid plates under the spring mounting plates on my '59 Tradewind, but that was a leaf spring axle. The skid plate protects the U-bolts that hold the axle on.

On a single axle torsion axle I don't know what the recommendation is. What would happen if you had a blowout? Would the entire underside of the trailer be ripped up, or would the wheel and hub keep everything out of the asphault.

As you can see in the picture, if I have a flat the first thing to touch down would be the bottom spring mounting plate.

On mine the axle bolts are above the axle so if i had a blowout it would ride on the rim nothing sits low on mine. If the whole tire came off it would have enough clearance riding on the drum still. I'll take pictures tomarrow and show she dont look too good under there now tho and I think someone lost a tire from a bearing going out on the left side because the drum has been dragged by the looks of things and my left wheel well needs repair and when we did the floor a new rib was welded in there. The hub on that side also has 9/16 stud and passenger side has 1/2 stud. My new axle on the way has 9/16 studs. The good thing is the frame still looked real solid and had black paint on it thru out with minor surface rust when removing the floor and judging by the floor I dont think anyone ever replaced it. I don't plan on fixing the aluminum sheet over the wheel well until next spring tho too much work for this year. I definately am going over the budget on this thing but I think it will be well worth it when im done.
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Old 08-03-2007, 03:48 PM   #13
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Skid plates

Skid plates, were popular in the early 60's.

They should be "not" be attached to a torsion axle.

The u-bolts when properly tightened, could damage the axle tube, therefore changing the axle behavior.

Andy
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Old 08-17-2007, 01:42 PM   #14
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Axle pic

Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
Good move on the axle. Those tires won't take you much above 5200#. I had 12 plys on my Tradewind, they rode pretty hard.

Do you have a skid bar or other means to keep the wheel off the pavement if the tire goes flat?

Here is the picture of my underside. Thank God I purchased a new one before she went out.
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Old 09-18-2009, 05:12 PM   #15
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Might have to cut the new 5200lb axle off and get the 6000 lb one. Grrrrrr Weight adding up quick no good at all.
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Old 09-18-2009, 05:18 PM   #16
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How much weight can a frame like mine hold? If I go over 5200 am I going to have problems? My frame looks real good just want to check and make sure she can handle the extra weight. Any help is appreciated.
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Old 09-18-2009, 05:28 PM   #17
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How much weight can a frame like mine hold? If I go over 5200 am I going to have problems? My frame looks real good just want to check and make sure she can handle the extra weight. Any help is appreciated.
I doubt that the frame is built to withstand a 50% increase in loading.
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Old 09-18-2009, 06:25 PM   #18
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I don't know what you put in that Tradewind to get the weight so high. Are you a blacksmith or geologist?

I've added a lot of stuff to my tradewind and it only weighs 4800 on the axle, fully loaded.

What will you be using for tires if you go to a 6000# axle? Will they fit in the wheelwells?
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Old 09-18-2009, 08:20 PM   #19
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My frame looks real good just want to check and make sure she can handle the extra weight.
The design of an Airstream trailer means the shell carries some weigh or is at least part of the structure. In other words the "frame" isn't the only piece that handles the load.

You are starting to swim in the deep end with out a floatation devise.

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Old 11-10-2009, 09:35 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane View Post
I don't know what you put in that Tradewind to get the weight so high. Are you a blacksmith or geologist?

I've added a lot of stuff to my tradewind and it only weighs 4800 on the axle, fully loaded.

What will you be using for tires if you go to a 6000# axle? Will they fit in the wheelwells?

Are you running a 5200 lb axle? I assume she will be right around 5K with her fully loaded. Someone on here told me you should have a 10% margin for safety meaning 5200lb axle- 10%=4680. I can get 15" tires that hold 2830 a piece. Thanks for the insight!
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