Any Experience with Reliable Rubber Axles?

[switterstx]

I'm thinking this is the axle I want to use for my trailer. I'm going to be putting 15" wheels on it (5 hole hubs @ 4.5") and I'm building a 5' wide frame. Anyone have any experience with these axles? Comments? Warnings?

here it is:
http://tinyurl.com/yo6cny

Thanks!

[madjack]

...I have never anything but bad about Reliable brand axles...for the same price, you can get a Dexter TorqFlex...and it will be custom configured to your specific needs/wants...........
madjack

[switterstx]

Thanks MadJack, that's exactly what I needed to know. Your opinion speaks volumes... I'll look up someone that sells dexter. Any suggestions?

[switterstx]

I've found a few distributors in Texas. My problem with getting a "custom" axle is the weight estimate. But looking at the options from dealers really I have only two choices (#8 at 600-1100# or #9 at 1000-2200). What happens if I'm over or under the weight range by a couple of hundred pounds?

I'm estimating my trailer should come out to be around 1000, maybe 1200 fully loaded. But that is just an estimate. More like a guess based on the ones I've seen and their weights.

For example, I'm thinking a #8 will do the trick. But what happens if I end up at 1200 or, heaven forbid, 1300 lbs? Alternatively, if I get a #9, and I end up with a trailer that tips the scales at 900 fully loaded for a 1 week trip?

I'm building the frame out of 2x2x.120 (~50'x3.050#= ~220#). Body will be out of 1" square tube(~102'x 1.436#=~146#). Best total calculation for all the metal is about 370#. What I have left is cabinets, skin, insulation, equip. etc. But I'm figuring it will end up lighter than an average wood sandwich body. Andrew, anyone see a flaw in that?

[angib]

What happens if I'm over or under the weight range by a couple of hundred pounds?

Being under the weight range is no problem as long as you are at least 50% of the axle rating, and preferably 60-70%.

Listening to the guys on the FiberglassRV forum who tend to need to replace their rubber torsion axles after 'only' 20-30 years of use, when many have been loaded right up to their rated maximum, and some well over it, I don't think you need have any concern about using all the axle rating of a rubber torsion axle, or even overshooting it by a little.

So aim for a trailer weight that's 75 or 80% of the axle rating and you are unlikely to have a problem. At your estimated 1000lb trailer weight, that's an axle rating of around 1300lb. I guess it's better to undershoot than overshoot, so maybe a 1500lb rating would be a good choice. Then you would have to build your trailer at under 750lb (loaded) to get the problem of the axle being too stiff.

Andrew

[switterstx]

That's the ticket! Thanks Andrew!

[asianflava]

I just used a regular #9 rated for 2000lbs. MJ has ordered a derated #9 in the past. #9 have 5-bolt hubs and heavier hub flanges.

[madjack]

Rocky is right...I order the 2000# #9 Dexter and have it de-rated to 1500#s...(mmmmmm, lotssa #'s in there) onna 1000# trailer, it gives an excellent ride...just one of the advantages to having it custom made...you should be able to call Dexter and have it delivered to your door, for under 200bucks........
madjack

[Alphacarina]

The pair of Flexiride #1400 half axles would be an excellent choice too - Perfect for the weight, cheap to ship since they fit in a small box

Don

[switterstx]

Rocky, what did you spec for the start angle? And what is the height of your tongue on level ground?

Madjack, that's what I'm going to order, #9 de-rated to #1500. Andrew's logic with regards to weight was what I needed. Found the threads on axle length, bracket placement, axle placement. Kicking around the idea of an adjustable mounting system. So that's all handled, I just need to get it ordered.

[asianflava]

I had no idea what angle to order. I felt that 0deg was too low and 45deg was too high. I split the difference and went with 22.5deg. With the 175/75-14 auto tires that I'm using, it puts the bottom of the coupler right at 12in.

The tear isn't as low as I'd lliked but I got over that. The big plus is that I've never rubbed the trailer on the pavement when going up/down steep inclinces.

[Esteban]

I ordered a Dexter #9 with the rubber rated for 1700 lbs. for my 5x10 that's under construction. With a 22 degree down angle and 14" trailer tires there's about 17" of ground clearance below the bare frame. It may come down an inch or so once the TD is built. I'd wanted about 14" of ground clearance from the frame with a loaded teardrop. I originally planned on getting 13" rims and tires, them changed to 14's because I liked the look better, which added about an inch of height. If I was to do it over I'd order an axle with less down angle to lower the ground clearance.

Here's why. I'm building with an insulated sandwich floor above the frame and want about 20" from the galley floor to the counter top to provide room for an ice chest on a roll out shelf. All together my galley counter top may end up being about 40-41" above the ground which is higher than I'd like (and I'm tall).

If you buy a Dexter axle you can save some of the shipping cost by ordering it from their closest axle plant. http://www.dexteraxle.com/our_locations Call and ask them to do a Prospect for you, which is a free custom configuration. They'll fax or email you the customized Prospect, which you can tweak if you need/want to before ordering an axle.

[madjack]

WE go with a 0* start angle and use 205-70-15 tires, which are 26"s tall...this gives the coupler a 12" clearance from the ground...we use a "Y" or "A" frame tongue which goes under the main frame, making the axle to ground clearance the same as the tongue...........
madjack

[Alphacarina]

The Flexirides have an adjustable arm angle - You can play with it all you want to adjust the ride height so as to match the coupler to your tow vehicle . . . . . .

Don

[madjack]

The Flexirides have an adjustable arm angle - You can play with it all you want to adjust the ride height so as to match the coupler to your tow vehicle . . . . . .

Don

...and cost about 100 bucks more, once you gettem to your doorstep!!!!!!!!!! I really prefer the FlexiRides...just not 100 bucks more...
madjack