Axle supply in europe

[Ben-D-Bus]

Hi all manufacturers and self builders in Europe, I am happy to announce that I have been approached by Classic Finn to produce axles for this wonderful hobby of yours.

I work for Indespension Trailers in UK for this OEM supply side of the company. I have manufactured an axle specifically for a tear drop trailer for a guy in the UK earlier this year to suit his chosen wheels, in this case from a classic T bird. Also we made the suspension axle with the trailing arms inverted to compensate for the large diameter of the T bird wheels and retain a descent ride height.

Personally I am a long term car nut with an intrerest mainly in classic VW Busses and bugs but also apreciate hot rods and customs. Hope the info is of use to you guys too.

[toypusher]

Ben,

Welcome to the forum. Your services will be a great asset to the European teardrop community and I am sure that you can help answer questions that anyone might have.

You should post in the Teardrop Manufactures section even though you do not make teardrops, so that folks will see that you are out there and what you have to offer.

[Classic Finn]

Hi Ben,

This is a surprise, no time wasted in joining. Since your interests are also in VW,s and VW Buses we sure can ask you a lot of questions then..

Many of our colleagues are really getting into the teardrops over there in England.. And Im certain you,ll get a big welcome from them as well.

Parts are very difficult to find over in Erp compared to the USA. And that has been the most frustrating as well as the Laws that we end up dealing with.

So Id say the Axles, Fenders (or Mudguards ) are the main articles that are the most costly to purchase but not only that its the ride height or adjustable axles and not being able to get the direct pattern of the hubs.
Especially if you are interested in the American style ones that fit the tears the best. Im one of those people that love the Classic Vintage or Oldie Style wheels and tires.

Im really glad you joined us... and quicker than I expected..

So now that your with us maybe we can inspire you to build one as well.
This is somewhat addicting ... trust me I know..

Best regards
Classic Finn and Family

[Mini Renegade]

Welcome to the forum, I used, cough towsure cough cough, for my first will give you abell for number two

look us up in the UK chapter of www.tearjerkers.net

[Markandjac]

Hi Ben
In case you didn't catch my introductory thread here are a couple of pics of the car and Teardrop (complete with your axle, coupling and rear stabilisers!) so far.
Cheers
Mark

[Classic Finn]

Mark that is beautiful.. The T & A Very Nicely built tear..

Did your wheels (smoothie fit right ) on to the axle and hubs Ben supplied you or did you have to refurbish the hubs? Ive got Smoothies myself.

14 x 7,s.. Sure look good..Nice fenders by the way.. must be from State side?

Ben sent me the heads up of your pics..

Mark could you do me a favor and grab a couple of photos of what that suspension looks like for me? Ben is assisting in getting me set up with one.

Thanks Ben

Classic Finn

[Markandjac]

Hi
Here's a photo of the Indespension axle.

I asked Ben to supply the hubs to suit 5 stud (4½" PCD) Ford pattern and they did it no problem. The width is of course was determined by my chassis which is designed to accommodate a 4' 6" wide mattress.
My wheels are to match the T'bird and are 15 x 6 chromed steelies.
The 'suspension' is of course provided by the rubber block inside the axle that the torsion arm is bonded into thus giving it some spring.

The fenders were from George at Teardrop Parts. The shipping was more than the cost of the fenders and I have since realised that I should have ordered 11" wide instead of 9". I've bought some fiber glass materials and I'm going to make a new wider mould off the 9" fenders having temporarily widened them as you can see in the photo. That's the theory anyway!

There are a couple more axle shots in my album now.
Hope this helps, although remember, I'm the Newbie here, I might be doing it all wrong for all I know!
Cheers
Mark

[Classic Finn]

Mark that is one beauty of a tear ... and doing it wrong? No Way..

That is what I need to get for an axle.. here everyone Ive asked have said nope cant do it.. its just that they dont want to supply or do anything out of the ordinary..

So I get my parts elsewhere..

So that axle and hub fit them wheels nicely..I sure like the looks of the Wide Whites..

Thank You Mark

PS Whats the width and Length of your tear frame? And whats the angle that axle is set at? 10 degrees or?

Classic Finn