Visit our Popular Forums

barbara4rb · 04-02-2011, 08:54 AM

We met Uwe Salwender, owner of Area 63 Productions, at the FCU's Vintage Restoration Rally last year. Uwe is an expert when it comes to Airstream restorations. In the fall, he sent me/and guided me via email through a water heater replacement. We met up again at the Balloon Fiesta in Oct. He replaced my univolt with a new Iota Converter. While talking to him about why my trailer clearance is SO LOW, he quickly said Axles!

Uwe and I measured things under the trailer. He gave me a "To Do" list of weights to obtain. I sent him money, he ordered new Dexter axles. We also decided to go from the 14" 5-bolt hub/wheel to a 15" 6-bolt hub/wheel.

Our trip from ABQ to Orange, CA was delayed, but last week we made it out for our axle replacement. We drove to Orange and stayed at the Orangeland RV park. It is within walking distance to Uwe's. First class, $$$, and very nice.

It was great to visit Uwe's shop, meet his wife and crew, and fascinating to watch the axle job. I've included several pictures here. These first 4 show the trailer before we left. 5" clearance from dump tanks' plumbng to pavement. (Yes, we have bottomed out and broken that plumbing twice!)

California gas prices were shocking! The Chevron sign reads $4.39

barbara4rb · 04-02-2011, 08:59 AM

We dropped the trailer and Uwe used a fork lift to move it into his shop. Once inside, they jacked up the trailer. If you love Airstreams of any kind, this shop was wonderful!

barbara4rb · 04-02-2011, 09:05 AM

Once the tires were off, the next step was to remove the axles. Ha Ha. These bolts has been crimped (or something!) They would not come off with the socket+cheater bar approach. The holding tanks make it hard to various angles on the bolts too. They finally had to cut off the bolts. It took Uwe and his crew several hours to get the old axles off the trailer.

barbara4rb · 04-02-2011, 09:18 AM

Once the old axles were off, and new axles positioned, new alignment holes had to be drilled. Axles bolted on, electric brakes wired up, and pretty new tires installed. The trailer clearance on the plumbing is now 10". We had to adjust the WD hitch--and I'll need to get a different shank to get the trailer perfectly level. If you grab the bumper and lift up/down, the trailer will bounce alittle--it actually has some suspension. On the drive home, the trailer floated along behind us. :-)

pmclemore · 04-02-2011, 09:49 AM

Nice, barbara4rb - thanks for the show.

Pat

Levon · 04-02-2011, 10:59 AM

Uwe is a Class Act!

Aage · 04-02-2011, 11:00 AM

MMMmmMmmm... I'd love to do all that to my AS...

TBRich · 04-02-2011, 01:03 PM

Hey Barbara...This is great! Glad you were finally able to get there and get this taken care of...Uwe is great and your trailer will seem like a whole different rig! Congrats! Thanks for sharing the pics... Now you can camp on!

Silverfoxrae · 04-02-2011, 01:04 PM

Yay!!! That's an incredible change- you've doubled your clearance. And fantastic photo show

Of course I have to say I am not surprised by the quality of workmanship... And I get to see it in person in a few short months!
Rae

via~ AIR Forums App.

Splitrock · 04-02-2011, 01:19 PM

Nice!

Frank&Mike · 04-03-2011, 07:50 PM

Looks great Barbara. Those are some sharp looking new wheels. Ok, so now when are you all coming to Texas to camp on the beach with us?

TBRich · 04-03-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank&Mike

Looks great Barbara. Those are some sharp looking new wheels. Ok, so now when are you all coming to Texas to camp on the beach with us?

OK, now yous guys... no beaching without us in tow!

barbara4rb · 04-03-2011, 08:23 PM

Those shiny new wheels will look great on the beach, don't you think? We'll all need to wear sunglasses when we're near the Airstream. What beach do you have in mind? How far from Albuquerque and Tucson???

Lance M · 04-03-2011, 08:41 PM

Looks nice! I notice that you don't have any shocks. That's from the factory like that right?

barbara4rb · 04-03-2011, 09:20 PM

No shocks. The old axles were the originals from the factory. These Dexter axles have a Torflex design. Here's a link to the PDF describing it. (I think this is the correct thing. I'll let Uwe correct me if I'm wrong.) There are many experts on this forum who know much more than I can tell you. Uwe could also answer questions.

http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/1080235/f/...flex_11-06.pdf

elfirebob · 04-03-2011, 09:30 PM

Great thread on this process. Yep, the bolt on my rig were toast as well. Nice wheels, your rig looks great! See ya at 4CU's Vintage Rally?
Have a safe run home...

Lance M · 04-03-2011, 09:34 PM

Thanks Barbara,
I am in agreement with the "no shock" crowd. Here are some threads where shock necessity is debated.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f460...nfo-74598.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f437...les-74384.html

Enjoy the ride!

ROBERTSUNRUS · 04-03-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbara4rb

We met Uwe Salwender, owner of Area 63 Productions, at the FCU's Vintage Restoration Rally last year. Uwe is an expert when it comes to Airstream restorations. In the fall, he sent me/and guided me via email through a water heater replacement. We met up again at the Balloon Fiesta in Oct. He replaced my univolt with a new Iota Converter. While talking to him about why my trailer clearance is SO LOW, he quickly said Axles!

Uwe and I measured things under the trailer. He gave me a "To Do" list of weights to obtain. I sent him money, he ordered new Dexter axles. We also decided to go from the 14" 5-bolt hub/wheel to a 15" 6-bolt hub/wheel.

Our trip from ABQ to Orange, CA was delayed, but last week we made it out for our axle replacement. We drove to Orange and stayed at the Orangeland RV park. It is within walking distance to Uwe's. First class, $$$, and very nice.

It was great to visit Uwe's shop, meet his wife and crew, and fascinating to watch the axle job. I've included several pictures here. These first 4 show the trailer before we left. 5" clearance from dump tanks' plumbing to pavement. (Yes, we have bottomed out and broken that plumbing twice!)

California gas prices were shocking! The Chevron sign reads $4.39

Hi, Uwe does great work and is a real nice person too. Going with the six lug 12" brakes instead of the five lug 10" brakes was a good move. As for the California gas prices being shocking, we too get shocked at the low prices we pay for gas once we cross any state line. Thank You for sharing your story and pictures with us.

marzboy · 05-17-2011, 10:18 PM

Hi Barbara! Im the guy that you met that day at Uwe's when you got the axles. Looks sharp with those wheels. I have the same style. Happy trails hope to see you guys out there!