What Axle Do I Have?

[Iplayfarmer]

I may be a little late to the thread, but call these guys to see if they can help:

R and P Carriages Trailer Sales, Service, Parts and Rentals

They are very knowledgeable about "all things trailer". And they sell brake kits for just about any axle!

Thanks for chiming in with the suggestion. They were the first place I tried for a brake kit, and Paul said he has nothing for my axle.

 

[mojoinco]

Hope this isn't too much of a hijack -- but I was wondering about the load balancing between the torsion axles vs the walking leaf springs dual axle set up. I noticed when my wife was looking for a new horse trailer last year that NONE of the horse (versus stock type) trailers use anything but the torsion axles.

It seemed obvious to me that there is no load sharing (and subsequent smoother ride) between the axles.

Nice to see someone else (with a better way to say it) notice it too.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Hope this isn't too much of a hijack -- but I was wondering about the load balancing between the torsion axles vs the walking leaf springs dual axle set up. I noticed when my wife was looking for a new horse trailer last year that NONE of the horse (versus stock type) trailers use anything but the torsion axles.

It seemed obvious to me that there is no load sharing (and subsequent smoother ride) between the axles.

Nice to see someone else (with a better way to say it) notice it too.

I think on Horse Trailers the big advantage to torsion axles would be load height. You can get a much more low slung stance with torsion axles. Its probably no that big of a deal on a Horse Trailer from what I have seen. The trailer I use is rated at 7K and say it weighs 2,000# empty and each horse 1,200# you are easily under 5,000# and no where near the 7,000# max load. There would be little chance to overload a axle or a tire.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

This plan has gone from simply adding brakes on one axle to re-doing both axles, rims, and tires. I picked up my new axles today. These are new 3500 pound Dexter axles. I took my friend up on his offer to buy them for me from his wholesaler. He also traded me a set of rims for a couple of hydraulic rams. I have the order in to my used tire dealer friend to get me a nicer set of used tires. My total cash outlay for this project is going to be under $350.

Now I need to find time to mount the axles. I'm not sure how involved that is going to be. The new axles have a slightly different spring mounting setup than the old axles.

 

[Diamondpilot]

This plan has gone from simply adding brakes on one axle to re-doing both axles, rims, and tires. I picked up my new axles today. These are new 3500 pound Dexter axles. I took my friend up on his offer to buy them for me from his wholesaler. He also traded me a set of rims for a couple of hydraulic rams. I have the order in to my used tire dealer friend to get me a nicer set of used tires. My total cash outlay for this project is going to be under $350.

Now I need to find time to mount the axles. I'm not sure how involved that is going to be. The new axles have a slightly different spring mounting setup than the old axles.

You did good by getting rid of them old head aches you had and getting into some new axles that parts are available for. You will be $$$$$ well spent.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

You did good by getting rid of them old head aches you had and getting into some new axles that parts are available for. You will be $$$$$ well spent.

Chris

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Question for you, Chris... How do I tell which side of those axles is which? Does it matter?

Now I have to figure out what to do with the old axles. I don't think I can bring myself to throw them away. I may just list them on Craig's List. I'd think with wheels and tires they should be worth at least $50 each to someone.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Question for you, Chris... How do I tell which side of those axles is which? Does it matter?

Now I have to figure out what to do with the old axles. I don't think I can bring myself to throw them away. I may just list them on Craig's List. I'd think with wheels and tires they should be worth at least $50 each to someone.

Since they have brakes the backing plates will be marked right and left. Its very important you get them on right. The drums are not marked and interchangeable between sides. Not so with the backing plates. Also the axles should have a slight bow so make sure you get the bow up.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Since they have brakes the backing plates will be marked right and left. Its very important you get them on right. The drums are not marked and interchangeable between sides. Not so with the backing plates. Also the axles should have a slight bow so make sure you get the bow up.

Chris

I saw the bow. I'll have to look at the backing plates. The only difference I noticed on first glance is that the wires are routed and spliced on the one side. I had hoped to mount these axles this weekend, but I've realized I need different bolts than I have. At $9 each locally, I can afford to wait and get them shipped from Robin and Paul. I figured I can have all 8 bolts to my doorstep for under $25.

Of course, this will bring my total up above that $350 number I threw out last night. To make the cost matters even worse, I ordered an A-frame coupler so I can re-build the tongue. I'll probably end up replacing the wheel wells too.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I've checked those backing plates all over. They are different, but neither is marked left or right. One side has printing on it and all of the wires are pigtailed to that side. The other side is plain (no printing) and the wires run from the brakes into the axle tube to the other side.

Any guesses which side is which?

The pictures aren't as good as I had hoped. The printing is on the axle in the picture on the left. on the left hand side of the backing plate at the level of the spindle is the dexter logo and some numbers.

 

[hawkeye08]

I've checked those backing plates all over. They are different, but neither is marked left or right. One side has printing on it and all of the wires are pigtailed to that side. The other side is plain (no printing) and the wires run from the brakes into the axle tube to the other side.

Any guesses which side is which?

The pictures aren't as good as I had hoped. The printing is on the axle in the picture on the left. on the left hand side of the backing plate at the level of the spindle is the dexter logo and some numbers.

If not marked you will have to study the brakes and imagine the magnet sticking to the inside of the drum and seeing which way the magnet goes when the wheel is turning forward.

Study the pictures at this website for reference. Trailer Brakes | etrailer.com

 

[Diamondpilot]

The backing plates will be marked somewhere. I called my supplier and he said many are now marked on the inside with a sticker. This means you will have to remove the brake drum to view. This seems to be confirmed by the link posted above. There appears to be a sticker on each backing plate.

Perhaps the numbers that I can not see but you say they are there are the part numbers. You could look them up on Dexter's web site.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

The backing plates will be marked somewhere. I called my supplier and he said many are now marked on the inside with a sticker. This means you will have to remove the brake drum to view. This seems to be confirmed by the link posted above. There appears to be a sticker on each backing plate.

Perhaps the numbers that I can not see but you say they are there are the part numbers. You could look them up on Dexter's web site.

Chris

Sounds like no matter what I'm taking the drums off. Even if it's not marked, I think I can tell pretty quickly by the way the actuator arm curves.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I got the last two tires this morning from my buddy that runs the tire recycler. I had the tires mounted on the rims today on my way to work. I'm planning to get these new axles on this trailer this weekend.

I put in a lot of hours this week at work, and this is one of the nicest days we've had in 8 months. I may do the trailer axles this afternoon.

 

[dcyrilc]

I got the last two tires this morning from my buddy that runs the tire recycler. I had the tires mounted on the rims today on my way to work. I'm planning to get these new axles on this trailer this weekend.

I put in a lot of hours this week at work, and this is one of the nicest days we've had in 8 months. I may do the trailer axles this afternoon.

You should be good through the weekend as we're not supose to have rain 'til Sunday.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

The scope of this project just got a lot larger...

 

[dcyrilc]

Ouch. I don't think it's suppose to do that.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Ouch. I don't think it's suppose to do that.

Nope.

Replacing axles has now become replacing everything from the frame down. I'm actually keeping two of the springs, but I'm cutting off the shackles and replacing them since the holes are wallowed out a bit. New mounting bolts, rockers, brackets and everything.

On a previous note, I discovered which side of the axle is which. When I pulled the hub, there was a sticker inside on the backing plate indicating that I had uncovered the left side.

Rant: Why would you put the sticker on the INSIDE of the hub?? What good is that going to do me. When you pull the hub you can tell which side is which just by the shape of the arm the magnet mounts on. If anyone from Dexter is reading: Put the sticker on the outside where it's useful. End Rant.

It just so happens that the left side on this axle is the side with the wire pigtails. I don't know if all axles are made that way, but it's a place to start.

 

[dcyrilc]

On a previous note, I discovered which side of the axle is which. When I pulled the hub, there was a sticker inside on the backing plate indicating that I had uncovered the left side.

Rant: Why would you put the sticker on the INSIDE of the hub?? What good is that going to do me. When you pull the hub you can tell which side is which just by the shape of the arm the magnet mounts on. If anyone from Dexter is reading: Put the sticker on the outside where it's useful. End Rant.

I find that humerous, in a frustrating sort of way.:confused2:

 

[sandman2234]

The upside to the sticker being placed inside the hub, is that when they are shipped, the sticker might actually stay on during a rainstorm when shipped via an open flatbed trailer. Somebody probably suggested it, and got a "suggestion bonus" because Customer Service kept getting calls where non-professionals couldn't figure out which way, and the tags were missing. People that install them on a daily basis probably don't need the sticker or the phone call...
David from jax

 

[mojoinco]

I replaced the hangers on a friends trailer last winter. Hunt around, call your boat friend, etc. You can buy a kit with ALL the bits you need: hanger, shackles, rockers, bolts, etc. Cheaper that way, and everything matches then.