Idea - FAQ for ordering an axle?

[Esteban]

Its confusing for a teardrop newbie to order an axle. Dexter has closed some of its plants and it seems ordering an axle has become more, not less, complicated. There is a considrable body of knowledge and experience here. Some questions, like ordering an axle, come up often that might be helped by a sticky or a FAQ. I'd like to see a FAQ for specifying and ordering an axle. Maybe with sub sections for spring axles and torsion axles. Like how to order a Dexter axle. How to order a Flexiride axle. Maybe even one for an emerging axle like Timbren. Maybe after a discussion hashing out the ideas it could be condensed into a new (or several) sticky FAQ. What do you think of the idea?

Some ideas for sources of information and helpful order forms:
Dexter Torflex Axles Information (16 page printable pdf) Torflex®Application Information
A Dexter Torflex youtube Dexter Torflex® Suspension Axles It's helpful to watch
Printable Dexter torflex axle order form to give some ideas Torflex Axle Order Form by AA Wheel & Truck Supply
Order web page: Complete & Submit Form For a Quote by Dexter Parts Online
Torflex order form order form by Trailer Parts Depot
Torflex order form TorFlex Axle Order Form has good information about mounting type and mounting orientation. by Leach
Printable order form torsion axle order form by axle inc.
Printable version of the above order form: printable axle order form by Trailer Parts Depot
Printable order form torflex order form by Croft Trailer
http://www.ucfamerica.com/FlexirideTech ... 0Sizes.jpg
UCF technical data UCF Technical Data technical data for flexiride axles by UCF
trailerparts.com torsion axles aka Southwest Wheel seller of flexiride axles
Timbren Axle-Less Suspension Axle-Less Suspension has a Youtube on this page. Etrailer.com sells Timbrens.
YouTube of Timbren axle-less suspension Timbren Axle-Less Suspension
Vintage Technologies by Frank Bear has an axle ordering service kind of hidden away on his website We offer a complete line of Custom Manufactured Torsion Axles (built)to your specifications, Call us for a quote today (269-665-9060) I talked to Frank today on the phone. He sells torsion axles made by Axis which is owned by Dexter. Frank said Axis ships axles in about 2 weeks while Dexter is currently taking 5 weeks. 500—2,200 lb. Torsion Axles is a well illustrated three page pdf. showing the options that can be included. Frank said he prefers to take phone orders so he can walk you through the details.

A worksheet for designing and ordering an axle would be very helpful. Someone with a little graphic design ability might be able to put together a good one using some of the above order forms for inspiration. Dexter used to have a (free) service for engineering a Torflex axle. Don't know if that is still available.

Worksheets for flexiride and spring axles would be nice to have too.

Throwing the ideas out there to see if there's an interest and people talented to do it.

Maybe we could start with common questions for a FAQ?

One might be which is better a spring axle or a torsion axle?

Then offer ideas why one is better or your preference?

Then go into specifications for the axle.

Brakes or no brakes?

What kind of spring to use? Double eye, slipper?

How to mount spring axles?

How to get the best ride with spring axles?

Spring axles with or without shocks?

Torsion axles: Dexter, Axis, Flexiride or Timbren?

Who are good sellers, stores, for an axle?

Start angles?

What suspension rating to order?

How to figure the hub to hub measurement for your frame? So it fits right/best?

Fenders that fit or fitting the axle to your desired wheels and fenders?

How to attach the torsion axle to the frame?

Hanger kits?

Brake flanges, installing brakes later to economize in the beginning?

Lubrication and bearings?

When or why to use a heavy duty axle

Are bigger brakes (10") better? When? Why?

Anyone have parking brakes?

Lots of looking for good answers

[Sputterputz]

I ordered mine through dexter parts online. It took 10 business daysfrom date of order to it being dropped off at my door. Called and spoke with Gordon and Justin a couple times and they took all my info over the phone emailed me a work order proof to sign and return via email and we were off and running. I had zero complaints. This was my first axle I had custom ordered but not my first trailer experience (we own a construction co, and have a few trailers that need parts from time to time)

You need to know a few things before you order,

Your estimated weight fully loaded. This is hard to guess if you are starting with a frame and building on top. I build my box first and made the frame to fit. I figured since I was fabricating an axle anyway it can be made to fit what I need.
Second are you going to have skirts that cover your frame? I was so you need to account for this not only in your box build but the axle width.

My box is 60" outside. I made my frame 58" wide to allow me to have a 3/4 skirt on either side w some wiggle room and dry air space.

The minimum hub face offset on my axle (dexter 9 _ 2000lb axle w 1600 rubber with brakes low side mounting brackets) is 6.5" per side or 13" overall that means my hub face measurement was going to be at minimum 71". The wheels I had picked had a backspace of 3" which was t enough to worry about side wall clearance but it was enough to get me out of a 8-9" fender comfortably so I ended up with a 74" axle and 11.5" fenders.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1380367521.196731.jpg (27.07 KiB) Viewed 1848 times

Hope that was helpful and not headscratching

[jonw]

I ordered a Flexride axle over the phone and they asked me a lot of sizing questions that at the time I had no idea what they were talking about and I couldn't answer any of them.

In the end I told them how wide my trailer was going to be and they used that to determine where to weld the mounting plates. That would have worked ok if I had a frame, but since I didn't I had to pay a welder to move the brackets in a little to the bolts would be positioned properly on the floor near the wall (not in the floor/wall joint if I hadn't moved them).

The wheels stick out more than they should so I had to build an extension for the fenders to attach to. In the end everything works well together and it rides great, but if I knew the answers to the measurements they were asking me I probably would have saved a bunch of time and expense and would have more streamlined TD.

An axle FAQ would be good...

[Esteban]

Hey, great to see Interest in an axle FAQ. and the really helpful ideas and information shared by Sputterputz - yeah - you know we love photos, Slowcowboy, and Jon W.

Jon, do you know if SouthWest offers optional hanger Kits for flexiride axles? There is no mention of them on their web site.

Each time I've seen photos of flexiride axles in trailer build threads they seem to all be top mounted and often people need to drill up into their frame to bolt the flexiride axle to it. Or weld the axle to the frame. Personally I like the side hanger kits from Dexter and Axis better than drilling into a frame which may weaken it. If not, I wonder if welding a section of steel angle inside a frame could substitute for an axle hanger, which the flexiride axle could then be bolted to? It (angle) would strengthen rather than weaken the frame above the axle?

I added new information to the Dexter Axle sticky. Took some ideas from the Axis brochure and put then into a few paragraphs of ideas for ordering an axle. Also added a link to the cost, about $250, to add electric brakes later in a follow up post. Both are on page 2 of Dexter Axle Sticky

Keep 'em coming and we'll answer many of the axle FAQs.