axle pics opinion

[kylemcc67]

Ok. so the trailer (66 Trailwind) is in Iowa. I potential buyer am in CT. The seller believes axles were replaced about 12 years ago and sent me these pics. To me they look older than that and the tortion bars are in neutral position correct? any thoughts appreciated!

[HowieE]

Yes they are neutral but most likely not the biggest issue you will have. I drove for close to 10 years on the axles that came with my trailer a lot further gone than those.

Bring it home and see what else you may have to do first.

[cwf]

on our 1999 34', the axles were below 'level'/zero, in a 'positive' direction (lifts trailer).. the trailer was 'hammered' rolling over most roads .... screws loosening, etc...from vibration.

Replaced axles..man what a difference!

[AldeanFan]

Get the seller to jack the trailer up and take a picture with the axle hanging, if it doesn't drop its time for a new axle, it it drops some your ok for a while. Unfortunately axles are a maintenance item on an airstream, just like tires and brakes.

The bolts look too new for those to be original axles.

And what's with all those tire weights? Probably a bent rim.

[Belegedhel]

There are various threads on the forums dealing with how to evaluate the condition of the axles. One thing I have concluded is that it is hard to be sure just be looking at it, whether it is the downward angle, or the amount of tire exposed between the rim and the body. I prefer the method of jacking the trailer up and watching for arm travel--you should get around three inches of movement.

Lots of new/potential owners fixate on the condition of the axles, but as mentioned above, there are many potentially expensive repairs awaiting you as a vintage trailer owner. I would worry more about the condition of the floor, and age of the appliances, myself.

Good luck!

[AlbertaBound]

Axles can be ordered in any position. 45/22/12 degrees down, level, or 45/22/12 degrees up. Resting position means absolutely nothing unless they are original. The real test would be movement. Drive one tire up a block. The other should drop.

[kylemcc67]

Thanks a lot for all the useful information!

[Siegmann]

Originally Posted by AlbertaBound

Resting position means absolutely nothing unless they are original. The real test would be movement. Drive one tire up a block. The other should drop.

A great point.

I once saw info on how the load also affects the resting angle. A rig loaded to the axles maximum rating will set significantly lower than one lightly loaded. This could be useful to the original poster (if he could get the rig weighed). Does anyone remember where to find this info?

[Lumatic]

Original 50 year old axle bolts would have a rust patina. These bolts look newer.

[Action]

Originally Posted by kylemcc67

Ok. so the trailer (66 Trailwind) is in Iowa.

K,

On another topic, the trailer would be a Tradewind.
That year would have the curved Corning made glass on the sides. Unique for '66,'67 & '68. The glass in that trailer could far exceed the cost of both axles should you have to replace all windows.

>>>>>>>Action