Torsion Axles: welding to frame versus bolting

[kirtsjc]

In what little I have been able to read, it seems most of ya' weld your axle ass to the frame.

Yet, when looking at axle websites, most all of them show their axles as having brackets with bolt holes. This is presuming that the manufacturer has heat-treated brackets.

Currently, I am planning on bolting my axle to the frame, so that if I change out the weight specs, or even the entire body, I don't have to grind off and re-weld to achieve my "ideal" location for tounge weight.

Comments? Critiques?

John

[grant whipp]

John & All!

Ask ANY RV repair tech who's ever had to replace a torsion axle that had been welded to the unit's frame and he/she will tell you - use the BOLT-in axles with the weld-on MOUNTING BRACKETS!

Of course, if you're really clever, you can make mounts where you can BOLT your mounting brackets for fore-and-aft adjustability ...

CHEERS!

Grant

[SteveH]

I welded nuts on the inside of a piece of angle iron that was used to double the frame for a three foot section where the axle was to be mounted. There are three possible mounting locations, but ended up using the center calculated location.

[cracker39]

I planned on welding on my Dexter Torflex, as the dealer and others say you can, but the repairability/removability aspect was brought to my attention and made good sense to me. Today, I picked up a piece of 3/16" thick angle iron, from which I will make weld-on mounting brackets (at a third of the cost of buying brackets).

[Bandit]

SteveH,

Can you give us an idea as to how you calculated your axle location?

[cracker39]

Bandit, this is how I will do it:

http://home.tampabay.rr.com/wdsummers/T ... ncing.html

[SteveH]

SteveH,

Can you give us an idea as to how you calculated your axle location?

Bandit,

Yes, I calculated it based on the drawings at Andrew's site. Lots of great information there.

[Bandit]

Where is the Andrew Site?

I've built a square tubing frame, so it would be difficult to use the above technique of angle iron and weld nuts.
What I am thinking of doing is using a piece of Cold Roll Flat 2" Wide x 1/2" thick x 20" long. I will drill and tap 5 sets of holes that will let me move the axle forwards or backwards 9".
I will weld this plate under my frame and also bolt it through the 2" tubing on the ends.
I will also drill holes in the bottom of the square tubing to allow the end of the bolt to thread into the 1/2" plate and into the space of the tubing.
This will then give me a solid mount for construction and finishing and sealing the bottom, but also allow me to move the axle after completion.

Does anyone see a problem with this?

[mikeschn]

Where is the Andrew Site?

Click on Design Library, in the menu...

Mike...

[toypusher]

Where is the Andrew Site?

Try the "Design Library" at the top of the page.

[Bandit]

I went to the Design Library, but I do not see anthing refering to Andrew or axle placement.

[mikeschn]

Hey Mr Editor Extraordinaire... what are you editing today?

Mike...

[mikeschn]

I went to the Design Library, but I do not see anthing refering to Andrew or axle placement.

Everything you see in the design library is on Andrew's website.

In particular you want to look at the balance page
http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear81.htm

Also pick a design that is similar to the one you want to build, and see where the axle is located on that one...

Mike...

[Bandit]

Sorry about the editing, I didn't know you guys would reply so fast. Look up about 6 posts and you will see the explanation of how I plan to make my axle adjustable.
Just wanting some input as to how secure/safe this would be.

[toypusher]

Hey Mr Editor Extraordinaire... what are you editing today?

Mike...

WHAT???