Realistic Axle replacement budget

[smead42]

Ok, let me make certain that I understand this. To get 3200# rated axle, you have to spec. the Dexter #10. Even though you can get the 6 lug 5.5 bolt circle on the #10, you order the 5200 lb. spindle (of the #11) with 12" drums to get bigger spindle, larger drums, and larger bearings. The reversed bracket is needed, but you will still need to drill the bracket or frame to get the axle in the proper position. There is not a problem fitting the larger drums to the standard wheels, right?

If this is correct, the larger drums, spindles, and brakes really jack up the price, a lot!

SM

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by smead42

Ok, let me make certain that I understand this. To get 3200# rated axle, you have to spec. the Dexter #10. Even though you can get the 6 lug 5.5 bolt circle on the #10, you order the 5200 lb. spindle (of the #11) with 12" drums to get bigger spindle, larger drums, and larger bearings. The reversed bracket is needed, but you will still need to drill the bracket or frame to get the axle in the proper position. There is not a problem fitting the larger drums to the standard wheels, right?

If this is correct, the larger drums, spindles, and brakes really jack up the price, a lot!

SM

SM,

I don't think that the larger drums (12") are a problem because your trailer should already have 12" drums (now if you had 14" wheels instead of 15" this would be a problem). What I can gather in these coversations is that Dexter believes that 10" drums are sufficient for a trailer with a 3500# or less axle. Airstream on the other hand has 12" drums on this size of an axle. Airstream specs larger brakes and shocks while Dexter thinks smaller brakes and no shocks works.

Bill

[3Ms75Argosy]

you have to compare compatable prices. Tim's price includes Disk brakes, not the drums. His deal is fantastic.....

Per my dealer....
#10 axles (at 3200#'s) with #11 spindles BARE (no brakes) is around $400
Dexter disks are roughly $300 per wheel ($600 per axle) per the Dexter website and my dealer. I get that some dealer price their axles differently.... read the forums and you'll get a cornicopia of prices. Unfortuenely, there's only one Dexter dealer in the NW. No shocks with these axles.

Henschen prices (bare) are close to the prices I've found.... see above. Shock mounts included, no drilling. Shipping is the one difference...

Your trailer came with 12" drums. No need to replace the wheels.
Marc

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by overlander63

FYI, at least in my case, is "right away" meant I still had to wait 3-4 weeks to get them shipped to me.

Terry.

Your axles had to be created, plus your on the east coast.

We have a in house stock of over 40 Henschen axles, that can be shipped immediately.

In your case, the freight cost from the west coast to the east coast, would far exceed that from Ohio.

Generally speaking, our inventory is for the west coast owners, so that the freight is minimized.

But we will ship to the east coast from California, if someone can handle the freight issue.

Try "air freight" from coast to coast for an axle. It's outrageous.

Andy

[mlang905]

Just as a follow-up, I went with axles from Dexter that were ordered and installed by one of the local trailer shops that I have come to trust. He did away with the shock, and they had to do some welding to get the axles on correctly.

Wow! What a difference in ride and handling. The trailer actually bounces when you jump in it - ok, when my kids do...hehe

Anyways they went up a bit in weight capacity, but it seems to be a good fit. And much less expensive than the direct replacement.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mlang905

Just as a follow-up, I went with axles from Dexter that were ordered and installed by one of the local trailer shops that I have come to trust. He did away with the shock, and they had to do some welding to get the axles on correctly.

Wow! What a difference in ride and handling. The trailer actually bounces when you jump in it - ok, when my kids do...hehe

Anyways they went up a bit in weight capacity, but it seems to be a good fit. And much less expensive than the direct replacement.

Leaving shocks off of an Airstream that was designed to use shocks?

According to Airstream engineers, especially for the older trailers, you "will" be sorry in time. Lack of them will contribute to rear end separation, that brand "X" dealers don't even know about, and for that matter, some Airstream dealers don't either.

Shocks were put there for a purpose. Leaving them off, defeats that purpose.

I am amazed of how many dealers are smarter than the engineers at Airstream.

Probably some of those same dealers don't believe in balancing wheels, or load equalizing hitches, or sway controls, either.

Andy