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Old 01-18-2025, 06:29 PM   #1
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1987 32' Excella
Sagle , Idaho
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Vintage Axle Questions

I have a 1987 Excella 32 foot Airstream. I am going to replace the axles and get 16 inch wheels and probably do a 3 inch lift. I am unsure of what angle axle to choose. I know I need at least 4000 pound axles, but I might want to go a few hundred more pounds. I wonder about the issues surrounding that decision.


I expect the current axles are originals , but I have not yet been able to look yet to see the part or serial numbers on the current axles.How important is that?


I have watched many videos made by people replacing axles. Based upon what I have seen, people replacing vintage Airstream axles have vastly different experiences. I have seen issues of erroneous shock length requiring installation only after loading the axles. In addition, people have experienced that the new axle connection points will not line up with the Airstream trailer frame bolts or bolt holes.



I hope to avoid these issues if axle replacement is really just a bolt on situation. If replacement is not simple, then I need to get very clear with the mechanic who I am entrusting the axle replacement. He is very skilled to address drilling holes and welding pieces or cutting holes. But he has no experience with replacing Airstream torsion axles. He needs accurate info in order to fit me into his busy schedule.


I want to order the assembly from Colin Hyde. I want to be sure I understand the options of axle selection, so I have minimal custom work required. I have heard the current axles are a bit different than those on my Airstream.So how to address this?


I have to wonder if the issues people experience are due to people not ordering the correct axles for their specific trailer.



I have a question about axle arm pitch. What difference is there when selecting axles with different degrees of pitch? Is the purpose of different pitch to affect the height of the frame from the ground? Please explain because I thought the lift kit and tire size was the way to affect the height of the trailer off the ground.
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Old 01-18-2025, 10:08 PM   #2
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1988 32' Excella
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I'm not an expert, but from what I've read the company that made the original axles for your trailer is out of business so the exact axles are not available. This means 1 hole needs to be drilled out/slotted for each end of axle. With the lift this should be easier since that hole should be on the lift kit bracket. Yes changing the down angle or pitch will change the ride height of the trailer to. I'm not sure what you trailers GVWR is, mine (1988 32' same length as yours) is 8400lbs I would get axles a bit more then enough to cover that, not rely on the tongue weight taking some of the load, this way there is actually some safety margin in the rating. I wouldn't be concerned going up to 4500lb axles.
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Old 01-19-2025, 08:02 AM   #3
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Talk to Barbara at Colin Hyde trailer Restorations.
She is the axle expert. She will know the axle you need . Skip the lift kit and just get more down angle on the axles. Wish I had done that. Next time.
Good luck with the project.
Barbara
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63 Trade Road; Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone (518) 566-4400
Fax (518) 566- 4401
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Old 01-19-2025, 08:59 AM   #4
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First, the only thing you will need to address to fit new axles on your trailer is that some of the bolt holes won't line up. A carbide burr bit will fix that pretty easily. Took about 5 minutes per axle end to move the holes where they need to be when I installed new axles on my 1994 Excella.

Talk to Colin Hyde - he'll be able to help you pick the best axles for your trailer and for how you use it.

Going up a bit on weight is what we did - I ordered the next weight rating up, about a few hundred pounds capacity per axle. More than that and I was afraid of creating a too-harsh ride for the trailer.

I'm not sure if you will need a steeper axle angle AND a lift kit. I'd do one or the other unless you're planning for some serious off-road adventures. And if you are, then I'd have other concerns.
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Old 01-19-2025, 01:02 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by richard5933 View Post

I'm not sure if you will need a steeper axle angle AND a lift kit. I'd do one or the other unless you're planning for some serious off-road adventures. And if you are, then I'd have other concerns.
I would echo this!

Off road in a 32 footer is problematic unless the terrain is fairly flat. Nothing is going to help the rear end if there is a foot drop into a depression of the ground.

You will need data on the axles to make contact with Colin Hyde. From there you can make informed choices. Know that getting a higher load rating cost Airstream a little more money when they placed an axle order for a hundred or so trailers. They got the minimum rating to suspend the trailer. You are only ordering axles for one trailer. Increasing the weight capacity of the axle is highly recommended.

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Old 01-19-2025, 08:51 PM   #6
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Barbara IS the axle person at Colin Hyde trailer Restorations. Several years ago you may have been able to reach Colin personally, he used to answer the phone. now Barbara takes care of it.

Barbara Crotty
Axle Sales & Logistics
Colin Hyde Trailer Restorations
63 Trade Road; Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone (518) 566-4400
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Old 01-20-2025, 07:38 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dingo Girl View Post
Talk to Barbara at Colin Hyde trailer Restorations.
She is the axle expert. She will know the axle you need . Skip the lift kit and just get more down angle on the axles. Wish I had done that. Next time.
Good luck with the project.
Barbara
Barbara Crotty
Axle Sales & Logistics
Colin Hyde Trailer Restorations
63 Trade Road; Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone (518) 566-4400
Fax (518) 566- 4401
Absolutely call Colin Hyde...
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Old 01-23-2025, 09:05 PM   #8
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1987 32' Excella
Sagle , Idaho
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thanks to everyone. I am in touch now with Donna at Colin Hydes shop. I am likely going with the axle angle to raise the trailer height but not doing any lift kit. I will go to 16 inch wheels. Thanks again. Hey just one thing what is the difference in ride between the two different degrees of axle angle. I concerned about rivet breaking if ride is more rough.
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Old 01-24-2025, 12:17 PM   #9
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Good deal. I went with more angle and no lift kit on our Argosy and it's perfect IMO. Some people do both and it looks strange, just a bit too high, plus any increase in body height will reduce stability -dependent on increase of course.
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Old 01-26-2025, 05:50 PM   #10
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Thumbs up Axle’s replacement (Colin Hyde)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dingo Girl View Post
Talk to Barbara at Colin Hyde trailer Restorations.
She is the axle expert. She will know the axle you need . Skip the lift kit and just get more down angle on the axles. Wish I had done that. Next time.
Good luck with the project.
Barbara
Barbara Crotty
Axle Sales & Logistics
Colin Hyde Trailer Restorations
63 Trade Road; Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone (518) 566-4400
Fax (518) 566- 4401
Highly recommend him.
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Old 01-26-2025, 07:22 PM   #11
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Just a suggestion- since you're probably going to have to drill new holes- skip a standard drill bit and just get a step bit. I have cheap ones that have lasted years of hard use and still cut a perfect hole through the frame. It will save much frustration. Something like this:

https://amzn.to/3Ed7uMS
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Old 01-26-2025, 10:28 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justen View Post
Just a suggestion- since you're probably going to have to drill new holes- skip a standard drill bit and just get a step bit. I have cheap ones that have lasted years of hard use and still cut a perfect hole through the frame. It will save much frustration. Something like this:

https://amzn.to/3Ed7uMS
When I installed the new axles on my 1994 Excella the holes didn't need to be re-drilled, but rather just scootched over a little bit - less than the width of a new hole. There was no way to use any type of drill bit to do this using a handheld drill. Rather, a carbide grinding burr made quick work of extending the hole in the direction which was needed.

Since you still want enough metal left around the hole to properly support the bolt/nut I suggest removing only as much metal as required to get the bolts through the holes on the new axles and not creating an oversized hole. On my trailer this meant that the original slightly elongated holes became somewhat L shaped, with the bolt going through the 'foot' of the L.
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