Dexter Axle

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Dexter Axle

Postby sdtripper2 » Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:09 pm

Jason:

Dexter Axle information:

Go here for your product details:
http://www.dexteraxle.com/

Here's a good Dexter axle measurement PDF
that shows how and where they measure things.


Go here to find a distributor and costs estimates:
http://www.dexteraxle.com/find_a_distributor

Go here to talk to customer service:
http://www.dexteraxle.com/contact_us

You might go to this thread if you are going to make your own frame.
This will show how "Hub face to Hub face" and "Wheel offset" measurements
that will affect your sizing of your axle choice to your built frame.

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=13966
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=181524#181524

Fitting car tire rims to your Dexter axle information below:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=189290#189290

Find more information on axle length as it relates to tire hubs here
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=181524#181524

Weight estimating data, collected, mostly from Northern Tool's web site
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=194840#194840


There are a set of questions that you should decide on before you order.

1. Determine gross weight
2. How many axles do you need?
3. Do you need brakes?
4. What is the hubface to hubface dimension?
5. What bolt pattern do you want?
6. What are the outside frame dimensions?
7. What is your desired trailing arm start angle?

There are lots of options, they will custom make the axle to meet your needs.

Read this thread to get more details on the Dexter axle and where to buy:
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=15386
Last edited by sdtripper2 on Sat Aug 18, 2007 11:32 pm, edited 8 times in total.
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Postby rbeemer » Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:31 pm

Jason,

Read the trailer tutorial - link at top of page. This tutorial is for building a trailer frame
Rick

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Postby sdtripper2 » Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:45 pm

RoosterBoy wrote:thanks i am tig welding my frame this weekend what is the common size to order for a 5 foot wide trailer and what pound rating should i go with. sorry i have never done a trailer before. i want to make sure when i get a quote it will be for the size i need

Jason


Jason:

Most Teardrop trailers would fall into the 1k-2.2k lbs for weight. If this is your
estimated weight and you want to use the Dexter axle Torflex type? Here is
their product information page.
1k-2.2k lbs This would be a #9 Torflex
http://tinyurl.com/2cd5ce
600-1100 lbs: This would be a #8 Torflex
http://tinyurl.com/yuuc7a
Note: If you please:
Before you attach the axle to the frame look at tutorial and use a balance
formula taking into account door openings and tongue weight.
http://www.teardroptrailers.us/Trailer.html

Read the top portion of this link for a clearer view of axle placement:
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11178

Jason ... if you call a dealer ask them for the data they will need to make
or choose the correct size for your axle. Call the dealer for more inputs.
Some have a check list.
Some make or get them for you per your options.
Examples:
Hub & lug sizes to match pull rig.
Breaks
Last edited by sdtripper2 on Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:37 am, edited 4 times in total.
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Postby sdtripper2 » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:25 pm

Jason:

Your cost for the axle will fall near $170.00 - $200.00.
Some others will come along and give their opinions I hope.
Here is what Gaston had for some costs for his 5X10 trailer.
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 1499#61499

If you decide you want breaks it might be prudent too order them with the
initial order. As retrofitting may cost more.
Last edited by sdtripper2 on Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby sdtripper2 » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:51 pm

Jason:

I have a Dexter axle with electric breaks.
My pull rig is a Honda CRV. This is a small rig and the breaks on the trailer
give me peace of mind and help stop the weighted mass of both in a timely
manner without sliding or sway. You may choose not to have breaks if your
pull rig can handle with ease the light weight of a little trailer. Some like the
idea of resale besides the options of pulling with most any rig.

Please go here for some more information and please ask Danny or maybe
someone with more experience with breaks to fill you in with more data.
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=14113

Go here and search under Breaks for more threads:
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=12276
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Postby sdtripper2 » Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:04 pm

RoosterBoy wrote:thanks Steve looks like it's only $110 more but would i need to also buy a controller or dose it wire to my brake light. i will pull it with a chevy s10 pickup and a for shows with a mercedes 560 sel

thanks
Jason


In short = controller inside car by the steering wheel. = Yes need a controller!

If cost is an issue... you might be able to use one controller and move it
between your two rigs with the use of a duplicate connector in each rig~


Look here for a schematic:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11020


Here is a Generic Electric Brake Wiring Diagram in PDF.

http://tinyurl.com/hdjxa

NOTE: In this Generic Wiring Diagram it shows a small special
battery and charger. This is for a trailer that doesn't have the
deep cell battery that most home built TearDrop trailers have.
My Break away switch 12 volt line goes to my deep cell battery.
So if your buying a Break away switch that is all you need and
run the wire to your Tear's internal battery.
Last edited by sdtripper2 on Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:39 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Postby sdtripper2 » Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:30 pm

Jason: :thumbsup:

Do hope we can collectively answer your questions as you build your dream.

The knowledge that comes to this forum in any given day is staggering.
Ask ... and someone will have the real time knowledge of experience or
one of the regulars will know where to find the answer to your questions.
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How do you attach the axle to the frame?

Postby Esteban » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:29 pm

Could somebody show how you attach the Dexter axle to your frame? I'm planning to use 2x2 square tube for the frame. I'd prefer a bolted on way of doing it, rather than welded on, so it could be moved a little if I needed to change the TD's balance. Pics or a drawing would help.

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Postby Ken A Hood » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:35 pm

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Postby asianflava » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:41 pm

The easy way would be to bolt the brackets to the axle, tack the brackets to the frame, remove the axle from the brackets, weld the brackets to the frame.
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Postby madjack » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:15 pm

...I stol...errr, borrowed this pic from SteveH's album(sorry Steve) which shows his adjustable setup...the pic is looking at the bottom...a better choice for a tube frame would be to get it close and IF needed, use loading to affect the balance...
madjack 8)
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Postby Esteban » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:36 pm

I'm linking to a picture from the web that shows one way to attach the axle to a square tube frame so you'd be able to move it to adjust trailer balance/tongue weight:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/chrischristenberry/album/576460762313810811/photo/294928803086224685/25 (Wish I knew how to borrow this pic and post it here...I tried) But this moves the axle mounting holes inward maybe an inch or two on each side and would seem to make ordering the right length axle harder.

It's somewhat similar to the way shown above by MJ/Steve Frederick...though I wonder how you'd get a nut on the bolt and be able to tighten if you built your frame the way Steve F. shows.

:thinking: Could a section of C channel be welded to the bottom of a square tube frame in the axle area so you could mount a Dexter torflex axle to the C and adjust it's (the axle) location for the best TD blance? The C channel would have extra bolt holes on it's bottom for moving the axle placement forward or backward. Axle mountings would be centered under the sides of the trailer frame like normal. Does this seem like a good idea?


Time to go to the gym...bye for now guys and gals.

Steve B.
Last edited by Esteban on Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:34 am, edited 4 times in total.
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Postby madjack » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:51 pm

SB...yahoo doesn't allow hot linking of picks...so the link is what ya gotta do................. 8)
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Postby bledsoe3 » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:10 am

Esteban, That guy you linked to used to come around here from time to time.
If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got.
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How to get a free Dexter "prospect" axle estimate

Postby Esteban » Wed May 02, 2007 5:50 pm

Dexter will send you a Torflex axle order worksheet to help you order, and customize, an axle. Their phone number is (574) 295-1900. Fax number is (574) 295-8094. If you call and ask, they'll send you a customized cost and engineering estimate they call a "Prospect." I asked for one today and the guy who is doing it was very helpful. 8/07 follow up...I highly recommend you ask for a Prospect so you can get your axle customized to your needs.

The main categories on Dexter's Torflex axle order form are:

Axle Capacity (load weight, it can be customized)
Hub Face
Outside Bracket
Brakes (optional)
Spindle Type (lubrication options) and whether you want the standard spindle or the short one which is 1/2" shorter.
Bolt Pattern
Start Angle
Bracket Orientation (inward or outward facing & low or high profile)
Attaching Parts Kit (optional, with it the axle is bolted to the attachment kit, instead of welding the axle onto the frame)

On Dexter's website http://www.dexteraxle.com/our_locations you can find the location, and phone number, of the Dexter plant closest to you. By ordering from the nearest one you may lower your shipping cost. I was told to expect 2-3 weeks shipping time after an order.

They'll customize the rubber on a Torflex axle to match the load weight capacity you need, at no extra cost. Doing so, I was told, will make the ride less stiff

If you order the optional Attaching Parts Kit it can be welded to your frame instead of welding the axle to the frame. The axle is then bolted to the Attaching plate. In the future if you needed to remove the axle you wouldn't have to cut through welds.
Last edited by Esteban on Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
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