How to test your axles...and ruin your ramps.
 

I had my suspicions, but I'm pretty sure we need new axles. From fully loaded to up in the air, they move 1.25". I'm looking for more ride height anyway, so I guess it's time to throw $1200 at it on new axles.

I thought the ramps were rated to 3500lbs? Must be for the pair.

-Kevin

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O...85/photo+1.JPG

These ramps typically have a link between the base at each end................perhaps these are made of Chinesium :sad:
Colin

Chinesium (Ch) a synthesized element with an atomic number of 122 .....from the periodic table ..... Also known as you one tu tu.

Periodic table - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the "F" block of "transitional" metals!

Not the best metal on the table.

<>>>>>>>>>>>Action

American made. Rated to 6500lbs. About 20 years old.

Kind of tired of the China bashing. It's Walmart and Harbor Freight you should be bashing.

-Kevin

As Colin stated those ramps seem to be missing a strut on the bottom to tie both ends together.
I'm yet to see a decent tool come from China......... I have been to Harbor Freight and the Walmart tool isle only to have my skin crawl in disgust.

I have been satisfied with the vast majority of the items I bought from HF. The only problem I have had so far, is the water trap/filter on my soda blaster started leaking. I just eliminated it. Whole thing was only $35, so no big deal.

I own an exact copy of a pair.... made in U.S. as far as I know..... had 'em for 30 years at least...
They don't handle loads placed on them at odd angels well... and they never had the brace mentioned above. (The reason I bought them was in order to have access thru/beneath them... a feat not always available with braced sets.... tho' true.... not as strong design.)

Man, just secure the trailer and get a good bottle jack to lift.

Ditto. Bottle jack = good.

And where do you position the bottle jack to lift the wheels?


FishByFly
because I catch fish on a fly...

2005 30' Safari Bunkhouse
2010 F250 Lariat

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

Exactly. I own at least a dozen jacks of all sorts including bottles, floor, bumper, and hyd. lifts, but there are some jobs for which only ramps will suffice. Solid ramps (and I don't trust plastic at all) block a lot of access, depending upon the task.

What was I thinking? Our Avion has a real frame to lift on.

Soon I shall join the smug "big frame" Avion owners! On the road to pick up the 10 meter! Am I excited? Moi? Paula

Have a safe, enjoyable trip, Paula. Can't wait to see some pics from the trip!

(Yes, I DO like our Avion! You'll see...... ;))

My Jack
 

Make yerself a couple of these. Made from simple wood, screwed together with wood screws. Basic dimensions are 24L x 12W x 6H (inches, o'course). They don't break, but will degrade over time like any wood product. All they cost me was a few beers because my buddy wanted to get that odd sized chuck of laminated wood out of his shop.

They also have the added advantage of not sending money to people you don't like. :brows:

Jim

The OP said 1,25" of movement, what is the correct spec?

1.25" from already fully loaded. How about jack it off the wheels then put one wheel on the ramp and see what the total travel is from no load to overload.

Axles become less important when you use soft riding car tires at 50 psi instead of trailer tires at 80psi. That soft tire sucks up a lot of the bumps.

Perry

I own a few trailers with torsion axles and with leaf spring axles. Leaf springs have a lot more travel than torsion, when new. My question is what is the specification on a given size of torsion axel, and where would you find it. Actually, 1.25" sounds about right, but I have no spec chart to go off of.

I think torsion axles are more hype that anything else. It is a disposable solution for a non-disposable problem.

Perry

Hijack. Let's not let this get into an Avion vs AS debate. Ive liked all the AS I owned and think my Avion is great. But remember this is an airstream forum, vintage kin are allowed at the wim of the forum owner and the moderators. Pointing out the differences is interesting but let's not get carried away as to which Is best. There are three Avion facebook groups, I check them everyday, however they are not comparable to the Airforums. Just my opinion. I am greatful to be able to participate in the forum and the forum get togethers. Peace, jim

When I ordered mine I called a torsion bar axle design engineer as my 76 Soverign had 3500 lb axles and GVW of 7100 lbs. He recommended axle loading to handle 50-66% of of the gross weight and recommended 5200 lb as the replacement which is what I ordered as that weight comes standard with 12" brakes. They can be ordered with increased down angle to raise your rig but normally they have 22 1/2° down angle.

Forgot to measure them with angle indicator yesterday when I put her back under her shed but I estimate they preloaded and rotated the axles about 15 to 17 degrees so there is some wiggle room for the big bumps.

The ride is very nice and while I wouldn't try it with anything expensive like a TV, computer etc I have left stuff on the front fold out tables and the galley counter top and after 455 mile (each way) trip, most of the stuff is still on the tables. I had a staple gun slide off running I-40 between Asheville and Knoxville which has lots of curves with recommended down speeds for 18 wheelers of 45 MPH on several of them.

It is 88 miles to the interstate system from where we live and two lane rural roads 80 miles of it and meeting 18 wheelers head on has no effect on the trailer I can feel in the pickemup.(2500HD)

I had to relieve the side plates as the square tubes are larger than the orginal but I used original holes. I had to put 1/4" plates on top so the load rests on the top of the axle plates but is secured from the side so there is no load on the mounting bolts.


https://i.imgur.com/4tKR5I0.jpg
This will give you an idea of how much the old axles had taken a set. Best I can figure it raised her about 1 1/4" with it on the ground.


https://i.imgur.com/1k5kv9J.jpg

Note the scribed line outside the original axle housing hole. This is how much I had to relieve the side plate. Note the factory bolt holes were not changed.




Check out my thread and new axles for pics.

I don't know whats up with the Harbor freight snobs. NOt everyone can afford a Milwaukee, or other top line tool and HF stuff works just fine. If it doesn't they take it back.
I have polished 4 Airstreams with my HF polisher. Still works well.
I don't shop at Nordstrom either

ALANSD, I'm right there with you!

There is a vertical plate behind the wheels. The axles mount there. Jack between the tires on that plate

Upon browsing this thread I have yet to hear an answer to the "How to test your axles". Question never answered. Everything but. Also the question posed by FishByFly, answer is behind the wheels either side marked with an "X" along the metal beam. Be careful to center the jack well otherwise you will slip onto the underbelly and have a big boo boo! :brows:

drive the front axle up on a speed bump or some boards. See if the back one drops to the ground or hangs.
Back up and try the front one.

All this means is the rubber inside is shot and the suspension function will not work as intended making for a harsher ride.