Best options for replacement axles these days?

[Jcondon]

Once installed be sure to check your shock alignment. Often when the mounts are welded on by whomever they do not align. The shock needs to be perfectly parallel to the frame otherwise it tweaks with every bump in the road. This is why I recommend welding the shock mounts in the field if using shocks. Sometimes they are correct and sometimes the installer doesn’t even notice.

[Action]

Disregard my post above. I was just doing tires for someone else and had that on my mind.

Typically, on axle loading I would go up about 10% on factory rating. The factory cuts it tight to save a buck.

The factory also wanted 12 inch drums. TO get 12 inch drums frequently had a larger torsion axle and derated the rubber torsion springs.


Action

[NevadaGeo]

Originally Posted by Jcondon

The 86 Excella 32 is listed at 6440 dry weight with a 840 pound tounge weight so the axles are sharing around 5600 dry weight. I normally size dual axles for 75% of dry weight on each axle. 4000# would be minimum I would probably go with 4200 pound rating. If your trailer has been modified than I suggest weighing the actual trailer and then using that weight to size your axles. Anything else is an estimate. It’s not good to grossly oversize neither.

Just a curious question. If I have a flat tire with dual axles, and am continuing on using one axle, how does that effect axle size ordering?

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by NevadaGeo

Just a curious question. If I have a flat tire with dual axles, and am continuing on using one axle, how does that effect axle size ordering?

Doesn't Airstream indicate in the manual that this is okay on stock axles for short distances (up to 100 miles) at speeds under 30 mph? Seems like if your replacement axles are appropriately sized this shouldn't be a factor.

[Dingo Girl]

Originally Posted by BoyJeenyus

OK! I heard back from Barbara at Colin Hyde. I'm going to order from them. She knew exactly what I needed with the GAWR for each axle. Went with 33 degree angle, with EZ lube bearings. Should be great. Price quoted was $1850 for both plus $250-300 shipping. Hoping to get the order officially in as soon as I get the quote/invoice email.

Stephen

Glad you got a hold of Barbara.

[Jcondon]

Originally Posted by NevadaGeo

Just a curious question. If I have a flat tire with dual axles, and am continuing on using one axle, how does that effect axle size ordering?

When you have a flat you still have three tires supporting the load. The main issue is the overload of the single tire on one side. A temporary overload of the remaining axle is OK for short distances and low speeds. If I have a flat on the interstate I drive to a safe spot. Oversizing the axle to support the full load on one would result in a very rough ride.

[ROBERT CROSS]

We went from 3500lb to 4000, easy lube, three years ago.
Done at the factory, $3100 before visiting gift center.

🇺🇸

[blkmagikca]

I had mine done on my 1987 Excella several years ago at JC. They had a deal then that axles were $1,500 each all in (including brakes). I was also able to get higher rated ones (I went from 4,000 lb axles to 4,500 lb axles). At the same time I went from 15" wheels to 16" ones along with LT225R16(E) tires.

[BoyJeenyus]

Thanks for that! I actually already asked if there's a possibility of upping to 4,500 axles. I roll heavy and fully loaded. Hoping to hear back with a final quote early this week.

Stephen

Originally Posted by blkmagikca

I had mine done on my 1987 Excella several years ago at JC. They had a deal then that axles were $1,500 each all in (including brakes). I was also able to get higher rated ones (I went from 4,000 lb axles to 4,500 lb axles). At the same time I went from 15" wheels to 16" ones along with LT225R16(E) tires.

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by BoyJeenyus

Thanks for that! I actually already asked if there's a possibility of upping to 4,500 axles. I roll heavy and fully loaded. Hoping to hear back with a final quote early this week.

Stephen

Hi Stephen, Yes its possible to get a higher rating than 4000 lbs each. We can supply #11 axles in any rating you want from 3500 through 6000 in 100 lb increments. FYI Last I heard, axles cost $1950 each at the factory, uninstalled. Many talk about cutting the notch larger to accommodate the #11 axles. This is only necessary on very few models, depending on whether the trailer originally came with #10 axles & the client desires #11 axles in order to get 12" brakes. Also, at some point in the 80's Airstream started using axle mounting plates that would accommodate both axle sizes, so even if it originally came with #10 axles, it could fit #11.

[Hittenstiehl]

Well hello there Colin H. You must have gotten tired of me mentioning your name on the forums.[emoji4] After 4 sets of axles for us I tell everybody you're the man for axles.

[BoyJeenyus]

Thanks for the direct reply, Colin! I'm just waiting on the official quote/invoice from Barbara and I'll be ordering them from you ASAP . Can't wait!
Stephen

Originally Posted by Colin H

Hi Stephen, Yes its possible to get a higher rating than 4000 lbs each. We can supply #11 axles in any rating you want from 3500 through 6000 in 100 lb increments. FYI Last I heard, axles cost $1950 each at the factory, uninstalled. Many talk about cutting the notch larger to accommodate the #11 axles. This is only necessary on very few models, depending on whether the trailer originally came with #10 axles & the client desires #11 axles in order to get 12" brakes. Also, at some point in the 80's Airstream started using axle mounting plates that would accommodate both axle sizes, so even if it originally came with #10 axles, it could fit #11.

[4RXLA]

I upgraded to 4500lb axles in 2010 and my trailer weighs 7500lbs. I’ve noticed in the last couple of years that the trailer is bouncing more than when the axles were new as evidenced by things coming loose inside that never came loose before. I’ve lowered the psi on the tires and that has helped. I’m thinking that the rubber is hardening in the axles and the trailer is not heavy enough to make them flex. The next pair will be lower than 4500lbs. The originals were only 3500lbs.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by 4RXLA

I upgraded to 4500lb axles in 2010 and my trailer weighs 7500lbs. I’ve noticed in the last couple of years that the trailer is bouncing more than when the axles were new as evidenced by things coming loose inside that never came loose before. I’ve lowered the psi on the tires and that has helped. I’m thinking that the rubber is hardening in the axles and the trailer is not heavy enough to make them flex. The next pair will be lower than 4500lbs. The originals were only 3500lbs.

When I ordered my axles from we had this conversation - too big an axle is as bad as too small. We went with 3,500-lb axles to replace the OEM 3,200-lb axles to provide a small addition to the headroom on axle capacity. The concern with going any larger was that we'd have a harsher ride since it wouldn't be possible to load them up enough without going over other limits involved in towing the trailer.

Increasing the axle rating on a trailer doesn't necessarily mean that the trailer's GVRW goes up. There is still the same frame and coupler as before, as well as all the other structural bits that hold things together.

[BoyJeenyus]

OK! Just managed to pay for the axles from Colin Hyde. I went with 4,500 lbs each (up from 4,000 oem) with a 32 angle for a little more lift. Total shipped to GA with all new hubs, brakes, shock brackets and stuff worked out to $2,200. Stoked! I'll post here once everything arrives.

[BoyJeenyus]

My new axles arrived in the mail today--just a hair more than a month from the time I ordered from Colin Hyde. I'll update once more when I get them installed. YAY

[10Smiles]

Originally Posted by BoyJeenyus

My new axles arrived in the mail today--just a hair more than a month from the time I ordered from Colin Hyde. I'll update once more when I get them installed. YAY

Did you have them shipped to a commercial address, or your home? I am going to have to get new ones soon. I think I will upgrade to disc brakes at the same time too. Congratulations!!

[BoyJeenyus]

Quick question: any reason not to just pull the front wheels up onto a ramp to unweight the back axle, replace the back axle, then repeat with the front one? Or is it necessary for some reason to jack the entire trailer up and do them both at once? The one-at-a-time option seems simpler as I imagine this replacement.

10Smiles, I did ship to a commercial address, but without a bay or anything. I have very easy access to one. I'm not sure what the shipping would have been to a private one.

[azflycaster]

I have had axles replaced twice, once at Jackson Center and the other time by a shop in Colorado. They both jacked the entire trailer but they had the equipment todo it safely.

Doing one axle at a time would be the safe way to go for most people who do not have a shop with the proper equiptment.

[Fungus]

That’s how I installed the lift kit. Rolled the wheels of one axle onto ramps sourced from HF and worked on the other axle. Chocked the TV wheels. Since the truck was hitched I positioned another vehicle so that it was not blocked in by the rig.