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Peter417 · 08-24-2020, 09:06 AM

Can some one take a look at these pictures and tell me what you think?

n2916s · 08-24-2020, 09:30 AM

Pretty close to dead. If you can, raise one wheel with a jack and see if it drops any as you raise the trailer. I suspect it is basically rock solid by now with little or no movement.

I believe a new axle is in your future.

Peter417 · 08-25-2020, 09:26 AM

I can jack up the the axle mount about 2 inches before the tire begins to loose contact with the ground.

**Action** · 08-26-2020, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter417

I can jack up the the axle mount about 2 inches before the tire begins to loose contact with the ground.

That's actually is not too bad.
There isn't a lot of up and down movement with this type of suspension.

It is not totally shot, but there isn't much left.

Action

Peter417 · 08-26-2020, 05:16 PM

My box trailer with a dexter axle definitely has more bounce to it. It also 3 years old and it has not shocks.

Are the rumors of caravel axles braking a real issue or is this over blown on a few high profile airstream sites?

Al and Missy · 08-26-2020, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter417

I can jack up the the axle mount about 2 inches before the tire begins to loose contact with the ground.

Those axles are probably Henschen. Here is a link to my post about the need to replace my axles a couple years ago.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f43...es-171983.html

It has a link to some data about Henschen axles. The data is similar to that for a comparable Dexter axle. If the Dexter axle were to be compressed by a full GVWR load and the trailer was raised the drop distance of the wheel should be 2.3". So if your trailer was close to fully loaded, your 2" measurement would be about right. My axles only dropped about 1.5" and the ride was rough so I changed them. If your trailer was empty, something isn't right. Typically, however, when the axles age out the rubber has hardened and they either do not compress as far under load or not relax as far when the load is taken off or both.