Dexter #9: best rubber capacity for a 5x10' teardrop?

[Esteban]

I'd appreciate a little help. I'm about to order a Dexter #9 Torflex axle for a 5' x 10' teardrop. My car's tow capacity is 1500 lbs. and I'm hoping the tailer will weigh about 1000 to 1200 lbs. empty when finished. Should I order the axle with the standard 2000 lb. rubber capacity? Or, if they build it with 1500 lb. rubber, will the trailer ride better? I'm planning to use the trailer mostly on paved roads not for outbacking.

[sdtripper2]

Steve B...

Why not call the Dexter help line and ask their opinion?
They know their product best and Jack and others have had wonderful
support from them. For your peace of mind why not use this resource before
you spend your hard earned money?

It seems if your weight was balanced for the axle with a personally made
unit that your ride would be better?

However a #9 seems right & for a generic axle ride you are surely in the comfort zone.

This thread can be helpful:
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=14125

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

[Esteban]

Steve, thanks for your reply. My newbieness shows. I'm unsure whether to have the axle built with a rubber capacity equal to the highest anticipated loaded weight or about 50% greater as I've read MadJack suggest. Dexter engineered a new Prospect for me and this is my only outstanding question before ordering one built. The Dexter guy said leaving the rubber at 2000 lbs. may make the teardrop ride roughly. They can optimize the rubber in 100 pound. increments. Second (and more) opinions from experienced teardroppers may help me get this right the first time.

[sdtripper2]

Steve B:

I have the Dexter on my trailer and it is a standard trailer axle #9. I pull
with a Honda CR-v and my trailer empty is about 800lb and about 1k- 1100lb
full. The tow is smooth as glass and have no jumping or bumping of the
trailer at all.

Really don't have the perspective of a perfect matched axle to weight, but
you might be splitting hairs. The MadOne usually has good advice as do
many here that have chosen the customized axle. If you go with the
anticipated weight plus some 50% and have them tune your axle to that
you will most likely be very happy. Jack and the guys speak from
experience and that counts. Remember build lite for all the right reasons
and your axle and wallet will thank you in many ways.

Your Teardrop should be able to be pulled around with ease by one person.
The right weight placement as in Andrews vision of tear time balancewill
make your experience more pleasurable.

Mine TD is a pleasure to manipulate even in sandy conditions, however a
better wheel uP front would be better than a stock wheel on the jack.

Be daring Steve ...

Best wishes,

Tripp-Out

[asianflava]

I have a 5X10 which weighs 1200lbs dry, probably weighs closer to 1500lbs when I have everything loaded up inside. I used a 2000lb axle because, at the time, I didn't know that you could have them derated. I am using automotive tires at 25psi and the trailer rides pretty well. The trailer has literally been coast to coast within a year and I've never had a problem.

If you are uncomfortable running a 2000lb axle but are afraid that a 1500lb axle won't be enough, just split the difference. Order one somewhere in the middle a 1600lb or an 1800lb axle. That is what I did when I was unsure what start angle to order. A 45deg down seemed too tall and a 0deg was too low. I just ordered a 22.5deg down.

[madjack]

SB, you could probably leave it as is and be OK with the anticipated weight of your trailer...however, a rating in the 1600-1800 range would probably give a better ride...whether it would be enough better to actually notice would be another question but since they will doit free of charge...why not...our builds...loaded...run upwards of 1000#s and we order the axle with a 1500# rating and have been very happy with that rating....
madjack

[Esteban]

Thanks for the feedback sdtripper2, asianflave, and madjack. If it doesn't make a big difference I'll split the difference and order the axle tomorrow with rubber in the 1600-1800 lb. range. I'm getting a Dexter #9 with brakes.

Gotta get started so maybe I won't be camping in a tent come Sept. Maybe.

Be daring Steve ... Smile

Organizing the SLO Gathering feels plenty daring to me Steve (am I talking to myself - no it's to San Diego Steve). See you in Sept. Steve.

[sdtripper2]

Steve B:

Organizing the SLO Gathering feels plenty daring to me Steve (am I talking to myself - no it's to San Diego Steve).
See you in September. Steve.

Montaña de Oro State Park

clicky park
***
See You in September ~
by the Tempos 1959
Hear the song Hear song clicky
***


SLO Gathering Information
clicky SLO Info
The SLO gathering is September 13-15, 2007:
Steve B: needs his Teardrop to roll, so lets give him encouragement ~
***

Dexter Torflex axle #9
Steve B's choice will be fine ~
clicky Torflex axle #9
1k-2.2k lbs This would be a #9 Torflex
***

Steve ... Get yur ax together ... fur September's song needs to be sung ~

[Alphacarina]

I have a pair of 5500 pound Dexter torsion axles under my boat trailer

When I was building the trailer, I was seriously considering 3 axles because the boat weighs 8,000 pounds and the trailer about 2,000 more so I was getting right near the rating for a pair of axles

I had a coupkle of discussions with an engineer at Dexter and he convinced me that just 2 axles would be 'perfect' because torsion type axles work best when carrying near their rated load than they do with much less on them. A 2000 pound torsion axle under a 1000 pound trailer will ride rough as a cob, so try to get an axle rated as near your final loaded weight as you can if you want a smooth ride

I was worried about having 11,000 pounds on a pair of 5500 axles and then hitting a large bump and breaking something - He said not to worry, that they are made for that and if you KNEW that you were always going to be on smooth roads, a 5500 axle could easily carry 50% more than it's rating

I expect my tear to come in at about 1100 to 1200 pounds, so I'm using 1400 torsion axles

Don

[Esteban]

Don, your information is very helpful and just the kind I was looking for. My tendency is to over build when I'm not sure of the right way to do something. Now I'm more comfortable having Dexter build with the axle's rubber rated for the loaded weight - without an extra fudge factor of a couple hundred pounds.

Thank you!

[Esteban]

Called Dexter and ordered a #9 Torflex axle with:

1. #9 axle with brakes
2. hub face = 75.5"
3. 7 x 1 1/4 electric brakes
4. short spindle (to lessen track width)
5. EZ Lube
6. hubs with 5 on 4.5 bolt circle
7. 1/2"-20 studs
8. 22.5 down angle
9. 1700 lb. rubber capacity
10. low profile standard orientation brackets
11. side mount hangers
12. outside of brackets = 61" (frame width)
13. wheel nuts
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. price $312.40 (not including 8% sales tax and shipping)

Told to expect delivery around the end of July. I'm on my way toward building a teardrop!

[madjack]

...congratulations on a fine purchase...may it give you many years of service and enjoyment...ah yes...I can just smell the sparks and see the sawdust ...oh wait...don't mix 'em together
madjack

[sdtripper2]

Steve B



So what are you going to do in the mean time before your Dexter shows uP

How will you use your time so September will find you with a proud smile on your face

[Esteban]

Cleaning the garage would be a real good place to start. Anyone want to help?

Steve Fredericks, in his TD building cd, starts building walls before building the floor. Maybe, thats what I'll do. I'll shop for lumber and parts begore the axle arrives. A fantastic fan is on it's way, too.

Lots of other projects need my attention.