Broken axle, how to transport to shop?

[slpiotro]

I admit to being very limited in mechanical ability. I bent/broke a front axle (1 1/2 inches out of camber). I need to get the trailer almost five hundred miles to get repaired. I have had haulers ask if it could be blocked on a seven foot wide trailer (safari 23 ft, seven foot four inches from outside tread to outside tread). It seems extremely difficult to find a trailer that is wide enough and low enough to hall the Airstream. They are one or the other.

Help or suggestions.

[John Woodrow]

It may be easier to find somebody close by that could R&R an axle and have one shipped to them.

[Mollysdad]

I agree, find someone closer to put a temporary axle on, then get it 500 miles carefully on it's own wheels.
Doesn't Airstream use Dexter axles? They should be available from any trailer repair/sales place.

[Action]

Axle replacement isn't that difficult.

If your profile is accurate there are several shops in Madison. Unless the trailer is not in Madison.

If not in Madison a shop near that location would be a better solution than trailering the Airstream 500 miles.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Jacob D]

Originally Posted by slpiotro

I admit to being very limited in mechanical ability. I bent/broke a front axle (1 1/2 inches out of camber). I need to get the trailer almost five hundred miles to get repaired. I have had haulers ask if it could be blocked on a seven foot wide trailer (safari 23 ft, seven foot four inches from outside tread to outside tread). It seems extremely difficult to find a trailer that is wide enough and low enough to hall the Airstream. They are one or the other.

Help or suggestions.

Why does it have to be carried 500 miles? An alignment shop that does truck/trailer alignment should be able to straighten the axle for you. If they can't do it on the trailer, it is easy to remove the axle by placing a set of 6 inch high step blocks or ramps behind or in front of the good axle, raising the Airstream by driving the good axle up the blocks and removing the bent axle. It can then be placed in a press and straightened. Shouldn't take more than 2 or 3 hours.

[slpiotro]

I had expected to be able to drive it up (at the cost of the tire already wore) and had some other work I wanted to have done. Arranged for the axles to be shipped before I found out the seriousness of the damage. (Axle is way out of camber, and appears to be closer to the frame than other wheel). Now the parts are there, I am here, and i am trying to resolve the issue. Thanks for the suggestions, I may end up using a local shop, but was mostly looking for advice on type of hauler. I may have one lined up, depending on back haul. Thanks again for the responses.

[Mollysdad]

Our company once had to get a truck on a flatbed a long distance. I heard they paid $5 a mile. Yikes!

[USAtraveler]

Find a truck with an 8' wide tilt bed. Pull your AS onto it and pay lots to haul it 500 mi. Probably less costly to resend another new axle to present location and install it there. When home, return the unused new axle for credit...or save it for the next breakdown.

[cwf]

Get a u-haul car carrier trailer. Buy winch. Winch AS onto the car carrier. Strap securely.

If you can find someone with suitable truck, ask them to back the AS on carrier for you. Only problem will be the air flow may cause problems with vents, AC cover, etc.

I go for forward facing..

Tow home with your own truck