New Axle Capacity

[MarkR]

Hi, I have a '60 Tradewind that I converted from a leaf sprung axle to a Torsion Axle. Purchased it through one of the recommended suppliers . . .

I think it might not be "performing" quite right.

An original '60 tradewind weighs approximately 4,000 lbs. I completely rebuilt mine, and have weighed it at a CHP Truck Stop. 3,900 lbs at the axle and then probably 4 or 5 hundred lbs at the tongue (there wasn't any "weight distribution" strategy/device, just hooked up to the ball). So roughly the Trailer weighs 4,400 lbs. The axle I bought is rated for 5,500 lbs. And I didn't specify the steeper angle, just the 22 degree angle.

I didn't give it much thought after I installed the Axle. Just trusted that it was the right axle for the job . . . this all occurred about 2 years ago (it's only been on the road 4 times in that period . . . and at least 1 of those years, the trailer was up on jackstands/blocks).

I was looking at the Trailer and thought that the tire seemed to be pretty far into the wheel well, so got down on the ground and shimmied under. And the angle of the arms seems, at most, level . . . maybe even a little "over", or "up", or past level . . . not sure of the correct terminology.

Is it possible that the axle was improperly rated? Of course the answer is probably "yes" but is there a more scientific way to judge? Should there be some of the 22 degrees still left when loaded? (still an angle in the arm).

Thanks for your thoughts / opinions.
MarkR

[wkerfoot]

Mark,

What does the tag on the new axle state as to weight rating?

Bill

Originally Posted by MarkR

Hi, I have a '60 Tradewind that I converted from a leaf sprung axle to a Torsion Axle. Purchased it through one of the recommended suppliers . . .

I think it might not be "performing" quite right.

An original '60 tradewind weighs approximately 4,000 lbs. I completely rebuilt mine, and have weighed it at a CHP Truck Stop. 3,900 lbs at the axle and then probably 4 or 5 hundred lbs at the tongue (there wasn't any "weight distribution" strategy/device, just hooked up to the ball). So roughly the Trailer weighs 4,400 lbs. The axle I bought is rated for 5,500 lbs. And I didn't specify the steeper angle, just the 22 degree angle.

I didn't give it much thought after I installed the Axle. Just trusted that it was the right axle for the job . . . this all occurred about 2 years ago (it's only been on the road 4 times in that period . . . and at least 1 of those years, the trailer was up on jackstands/blocks).

I was looking at the Trailer and thought that the tire seemed to be pretty far into the wheel well, so got down on the ground and shimmied under. And the angle of the arms seems, at most, level . . . maybe even a little "over", or "up", or past level . . . not sure of the correct terminology.

Is it possible that the axle was improperly rated? Of course the answer is probably "yes" but is there a more scientific way to judge? Should there be some of the 22 degrees still left when loaded? (still an angle in the arm).

Thanks for your thoughts / opinions.
MarkR

[MarkR]

5,500 lbs, it's on a label, stuck on the middle of the box tube.

[BigAl]

to get trailer weight park it on the scale unhooked from vehicle. That will be the true accurate weight.
Al

[Action]

Do you have any pics from when you originally installed the axle?


If so looking at it now from then does it look like the trailer has settled since then? (Some settling is normal) So the question being is the axle condition different now than it was two years ago?


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

[Action]

A follow up to that ... jack up the trailer and guessitmate the drop of the axle spindle when the weight has been removed.


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

[MarkR]

At some point I will want to know more precisely how much the Trailer weighs . . . for now I know I've got 3,900#'s on an axle that is rated for 5,500#'s. And sitting still it looks to me like the axle isn't going to be able to provide much "suspension" or "dampening".

I'm thinking maybe I'll duct tape my phone inside the wheel well and film it as I drive down the road . . .

[Action]

Originally Posted by MarkR

At some point I will want to know more precisely how much the Trailer weighs . . . for now I know I've got 3,900#'s on an axle that is rated for 5,500#'s. And sitting still it looks to me like the axle isn't going to be able to provide much "suspension" or "dampening".

I'm thinking maybe I'll duct tape my phone inside the wheel well and film it as I drive down the road . . .

Post 6 is a less risky (to the phone and trailer) and more accurate way of achieving that goal.

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

[carl2591]

or you can jack up one side at a time and take picture of un jacked and jacked to see difference..

picture on top is on ground,, bottom is on jack stands.. weight off the tires.. as you can see on mine the angle is negative with weight and nutural with no weight

chains are to prevent theft.. wraps around axle and through rims with locking nuts on rims.

[cliffcharb]

We upgraded to 4000# axles on our 81 since we are upgrading with solid wood cabinetry. After about a year they also settled. Just the nature of rubber torsion axles I believe. It definitely rides smoother than the originals.

[SpletKay06]

A torsion axle that starts at 22 degrees sitting about neutral is normal and nothing to worry about.

[MarkR]

So I got under again, and the arm is actually a little "past" level. I don't know how much the axle arm can swing total. Obviously I know it can swing the 22 degrees from no load to level, but I don't know how much it can rotate past level.

Anyway, I still wanted to see for myself "how it's doing" - so I duct taped my iPhone to the frame and drove around for a bit. I only drove around town, and never "hit" anything requiring much suspension. The video was much longer, I trimmed it way down, as even though I enjoyed watching the whole thing, most probably wouldn't.

[Action]

Very nice vid. From my point of view it is interesting on how little movement there actually occurs on the road.

Don't really see the pivot arm so not sure where it is at. If the axle specified is 22 degrees, the coach will sit lower onto the axle than a greater axle angle. If the capacity is 5500#, the axle will handle that load, however the coach will sit lower and there will be less movement of the coach down onto the axle because there is less travel available. (Because of the angle)

If the axle drops about 3 inches when lifted up you could determine the axle is in good condition. As the rubber inside the axle is still pliable enough to allow the axle to move the complete range.

Your question regards capacity. If the coach has enough travel, the capacity is there. The capacity question is answered with Is the coach still suspended under most normal conditions? (Does it "bottom" out?) If you slam any Airstream into a major pot hole the chances of the axle reaching the max compression is high. And under "normal" trailering does the axle reach max compression. I think the answer is no.

Could it sit higher? YES
Could there be more travel with a higher angle? YES

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

[AlinCal]

Love the phone footage! just plain old duct tape?
How fast were you traveling?

[MarkR]

yeah, just plain duct tape . . . actually it was the "gorilla" version. There was a point in the long video where I was probably going 45 or 50, but it didn't make it in the edited version, most of this is 25 mph max.