Dexter Axle Problem

[MDSilverado]

I received my Dexter axles this week. This morning I'm in the driveway getting ready to drop the old and install the new and I notice the drums on the new axles are smaller than the old. Sure enough my new axles only have 10" drums on them??!! I ordered the Dexter #11 and had them downrated to 3500# purposely so I would get 12" drums. The receipt and order show #11TF as the axle. Is this my error? I thought all # 11's came with 12" brakes. Looking at the catalog the spec section on #11's only shows 12" drums...why would mine get 10". Does anyone know if its possible to just swap the brakes...10" for 12"? I'm not sure whether to proceed and put these on the trailer thinking the brakes can be swapped later or do I need to have them replace the whole axle?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[azflycaster]

The backing plate mounts are different for 10" (4 bolts) and 12" (5 bolts) backing plates. This would prevent you from upgrading the size. I believe that the 10" brakes are wider then the 12".

[MDSilverado]

I was thinking the backing plate and all would be replaced. It looks like it just bolts to a square plate on the axle. But, your right if the 12" are deeper my hub face dimesion would end up being wrong. Looking back at my notes I did tell them I was ordering a #11 derated to 3500# so I could have 12" brakes. Hopefully they (Redneck) will take care of this and get me new axles. I hate that I have to wait until Monday to talk to them!

[68 TWind]

To steal a quote from the old SNL , "it just goes to show, it's always something"

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by MDSilverado

I was thinking the backing plate and all would be replaced. It looks like it just bolts to a square plate on the axle. But, your right if the 12" are deeper my hub face dimesion would end up being wrong. Looking back at my notes I did tell them I was ordering a #11 derated to 3500# so I could have 12" brakes. Hopefully they (Redneck) will take care of this and get me new axles. I hate that I have to wait until Monday to talk to them!

Ten inch electric brakes mount to a square plate that has 4 holes.

Twelve inch electric brakes mount to a round plate that has 5 holes.

Therefore they are not inter changeable, plus the drum size is another issue.

Andy

[SilverHoot]

Hopefully "Redneck" is as good about making it right as Six Roblees was. My first set of axles came with non-reversed brackets even though reversed was clearly ordered. The screwup was not the axle vendor ,but with the manufacturer. Maybe you should make sure all else is as ordered.

[3Ms75Argosy]

Spindle and axle tube diameter are different on the #10 vs #11 axles. You can look at their website dimentions and compare, but it sounds like you got #10's by error. Should be pretty cut and dry with getting them changed out, as it's not what you ordered.
Marc

[MDSilverado]

Originally Posted by 3Ms75Argosy

Spindle and axle tube diameter are different on the #10 vs #11 axles. You can look at their website dimentions and compare, but it sounds like you got #10's by error. Should be pretty cut and dry with getting them changed out, as it's not what you ordered.
Marc

That's what is odd...by all other aspects it is a # 11. Checked the bracket size and tube size and both match the #11 specs...and looking at the Dexter brochure they specifically say that #11 brakes are 12". I don't understand how I ended up with 10". Is there any other reason someone would derate a #11 to 3500lbs?

Thanks for the encouragement. I hope it works out.

[Mikethefixit]

Its a shame you didn't get what you really wanted.I am amazed that after all the Dexter axles that have been ordered that they cant get an order correct and if memory serves they are Airstreams axles supplier now.
This is the reason that when I changed I went with OEM's.They fit my trailer perfectly.I think if I remember correctly Andy did tweek the order just a bit,with upgraded weight and brake size..
So yA pay's yo money and take's yo chances.I was not willing to take a chance SO I PAID THE BIG BUCK'S and still have my sanity.GOOD LUCK

[RickDavis]

In the past I have seen 12 inch electric brake backing plates drilled with both the 4 and 5 hole patterns (on one plate) Unfortunately I don't know who made them or if you found them if there would still be spindle/drum problems

[3Ms75Argosy]

Huh, that's interesting...I know in the past, Dexter would uprate a #10 to #11 with a bigger spindle and brake so one could get a 2800 or 3000# axle with the bigger brakes.. but then they stopped doing that.

I'm assuming the 10" brakes have the 6x5.5 pattern? If so, and Dexter won't change it, don't fret, Terry (no longer at Inland RV) and others have stated that the 10" brakes actually have more braking surface area than the 12". That being said, I'd argue that the #11's online are spec'd with 12" brakes.

My Dexter form has a portion specifying the brakes (I went with 12" disks), does yours say anything?

Marc

[samb]

My 2 cents........
If you did not get what you ordered, and you do not like what you got, do not accept it! The order form is very specific. You can use it to your advantage.
I have had no problem (except time) getting the correct axle from Dexter after receiving the wrong axle for an order.
I think Dexter makes a good axle, but I'm not satisfied with the service from Redneck.
Sam

[ronsgto]

Originally Posted by MDSilverado

That's what is odd...by all other aspects it is a # 11. Checked the bracket size and tube size and both match the #11 specs...and looking at the Dexter brochure they specifically say that #11 brakes are 12". I don't understand how I ended up with 10". Is there any other reason someone would derate a #11 to 3500lbs?

Thanks for the encouragement. I hope it works out.

Would be currious to see what finaly happened. Can you post an update when you get a chance. I am in the same boat need axles but don't want to go from 12 inch brakes down to 10 inch. Some claim that the 10 inch work better but don't see any proof of that. Better seems strange if only a magnet design change an 1/4 inch wider shoe would make that much difference. Anyone else want to chime that has ecperience on this great.

Ron L

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ronsgto

Would be currious to see what finaly happened. Can you post an update when you get a chance. I am in the same boat need axles but don't want to go from 12 inch brakes down to 10 inch. Some claim that the 10 inch work better but don't see any proof of that. Better seems strange if only a magnet design change an 1/4 inch wider shoe would make that much difference. Anyone else want to chime that has ecperience on this great.

Ron L

It's been said that the 10 inch brakes have the same number of square inches of shoe lining as the 12 inch brakes.

However, to stop the same load, the 10 inch brakes will get much hotter, and faster than the 12 inch brakes.

That then, results in a quick brake fade.

Dexter will used 10 inch brakes on all axles rated at 3500 pounds or less.

It's sort of difficult to accept down sizing brakes from the 12" to the 10", and most owners refuse to do it.

Replacement torsion axles, matching the Henschen specs, are now available.

Henschen's warranty is still honored by their western division.

Andy

[Bill M.]

looks like the same number of square inches of surface would produce 20% or so more stopping torque in the 12" than in the 10" brakes. (6" lever instead of 5") That probably does lead to the 10 inch brakes heating quicker.