Source To Replace My Axles

[mjkaehr]

I have a 1999 Excella Classic 31 foot. Everything I have seen says it is probably in need of new torsion axles. I live is Southwest Indiana and am looking for a competent and reasonable service that has experience with this project.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks...

[n2916s]

Actually replacing the axles is pretty simple. The problems are 1.) finding a trailer service that will jack up your Airstream properly and 2.) Getting replacement axles that are exact fit with the correct capacity.

#2 can be solved by sourcing your replacement axles from Colin Hyde in NY. He is the reigning guru of all things axle. He will drop ship you what you need.

#1 is problematic — the way an Airstream is built, as a semi-monocoque structure, ensures that bad things happen if they are improperly raised.

How far are you from Jackson Center?

[mjkaehr]

Thanks! I didn't know that Airstream had a service center. I'm only about 225 miles away. I will check them out..

Thanks!

[10Smiles]

I will soon be in need of axles on my 2005 30 foot. I called Colin Hyde a couple of times a few months ago and he never returned my calls. Is there a better way to contact him? The number I got was from his ad in Airstream Life.

[Renoman72]

Colon provided us with two new torsion axles with new brakes and picked up at nearby trucking company. Had skid loaded on F250 and unloaded with another helper. Unbolted and dropped with jack. Small grinding job to enlarge opening for new ones installed in one day. Only cost were axles and shipping 1200+$.

[Renoman72]

Forgot to mention we have a 72 overlander which was a total gut out taking us 2+ years to restore.

[PatLee]

I was in JC in January and was struck by how many older/vintage Airstreams were in service bays for work. They are your best bet, I bet!

[lemley]

I’ve bought axles from 2 sources other than Colin Hyde. Can’t believe I made the same mistake twice.

The devil is in the details. Colin seems pay attention to the details.

I agree with others. Installation is not difficult. The last one I did one axle at a time. I liked the extra safety margin I felt I got leaving the tires on the axle not being changed. I used floor jacks on the mounting plater of axle being removed to raise the trailer, then put jack stands at the mounting plates of the other axle. The floor jacks were also used to drop the old axle and put in the new. A couple of furniture dollies were used to move the axles around.

[mjkaehr]

All this is great information.

Thanks to all who have posted so far....