Axle upgrades

[Darkspeed]

Are there new axles offered for a 71 sovereign that have a higher load capacity than the originals? I am planning on building a new frame and will have some added weight in the airstream.

Thanks

[wasagachris]

Darkspeed on my 73 excella the originals were 3500 lbs axles and I upgraded to 4500 lb axles. I bought mine from Inland RV and they were the original design Henschion axles. They bolted right in with no modifications needed. Axis which has bought Henschion does not make the exact same design and some changes to the frame will be needed to the bolt holes and the shock mounts. There are two suppliers for Axis axles, Inland RV and Colin Hyde Restorations. Inland can place your order from the serial number of the trailer and Colin requires measurements to be taken by yourself. Colin's price is lower and from what I understand the brake size is smaller than Inland's.

[Darkspeed]

Thanks, that's exactly what I needed.
Do you like the 4500's?

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by wasagachris

Colin's price is lower and from what I understand the brake size is smaller than Inland's.

I got my Axis axles from Colin Hyde. You can chose from either 10" or 12" brakes from Colin. I chose 10" brakes because they provide sufficient braking power for the weight of my trailer and they are less expensive.

[Darkspeed]

Is there a 5200lb axle for my 31'?

[Mikethefixit]

Personal opinion only BUT goin to a 5200 lbs axle even if available .Will be to stiff. 45 should do what you need unless you are gonna haul a tank inside the traylor

[Darkspeed]

Well not a tank but I was thinking of building a recessed battery box on each side of the axles when I built the new frame.

[flynmike]

I upgraded my axels on my 05' 30'. I was at the limit for weight and was planning on adding solar panels and more batteries. I was about to order 5000# axels and Andy at Inland RV talked me down to 4500#. Reasons were ride for both the trailer and tow vehicle as well as beating up the trailer with too stiff suspension.

I also went with the hydraulic disc brakes too and along with a Maxbrake controller....just AWESOME!

I think you should weight your trailer, firgure what your going to add and plan your suspension accordingly.

Mike

[Globie64]

So, is there a rule of thumb for how far over GVWR + full tanks + other stuff?

[flynmike]

Inland Andy said 10% max...too much and you go way beyond what the frame is engineered for....which is what my increase was...maybe a little shy...I went from (if I remember correctly) 4200# to 4500# axels.

[Globie64]

interesting. I was talking to a shop that wanted to up to 5200 on my single axle. I'm taking it to another one who I think it far more competent, the go to guys in the East Bay. All this information to digest, what next?

[flynmike]

How much does your GT weigh? My 65 17' Caravel was 3000# loaded...5200 sounds a little stiff for two feet more of the same vintage...yes....digest/research. And if you have the extra bucks get the hydraulic disc brakes...i just LOVE having them on my 30' Classic.

[Globie64]

Originally Posted by flynmike

How much does your GT weigh? My 65 17' Caravel was 3000# loaded...5200 sounds a little stiff for two feet more of the same vintage...yes....digest/research. And if you have the extra bucks get the hydraulic disc brakes...i just LOVE having them on my 30' Classic.

I love the idea of the discs, but I think for our little (2850# dry wt, est. 3500 loaded) trailer, the drums are fine. We live in a VERY hilly area and they've been fine so far. I think you're right, 5200 is way too much- with the place I'm taking it to I have some more options. I can hardly wait to have someone ELSE do some work to it.