Quick Question About The Dexter #9 Axle

[Stano]

Hopefully someone who has either used or has great familiarity with the Dexter Torflex #9 axle can answer what I consider a very basic question. I have seen all of the schematic sketches with angles and measurements but one seems consistently missing. I called a local dealer and he couldn't provide an answer either because it was obvious that he was looking at the same diagrams that I was.

Can anyone tell me if the distance between the outer edge of the mounting brackets and inner surface of the torsion bar a fixed measurement and if so approximately what are we looking at. The reason I am asking is that I am looking to purchase a Dexter #9 with electric brakes ... my current rims/tires have a 4 inch off-set and I am trying to insure (in my mind) that the exterior surface of the torsion bar has enough distance (given my hub to hub measurement) that it doesn't rub on the interior surface of the tire. I have a great feeling that it is a fixed measurement ... everything is going to be just fine ... and as usual I am just greatly over-thinking this. Anyway this tiny piece of the puzzle will greatly assist in pulling the trigger on this purchase and also demonstrates that this is going to be a long project.

[grant whipp]

... Can anyone tell me if the distance between the outer edge of the mounting brackets and inner surface of the torsion bar a fixed measurement and if so approximately what are we looking at. The reason I am asking is that I am looking to purchase a Dexter #9 with electric brakes ... my current rims/tires have a 4 inch off-set and I am trying to insure (in my mind) that the exterior surface of the torsion bar has enough distance (given my hub to hub measurement) that it doesn't rub on the interior surface of the tire. I have a great feeling that it is a fixed measurement ... everything is going to be just fine ... and as usual I am just greatly over-thinking this ...

Greetings, Stano!

I've got quite a bit of experience with Dexter axles (I used to use them exclusively on all my teardrops), but I'm a little confused about what you are asking ... ...! I think what you are asking is if the distance from the outside of the mounting brackets to the inside of the trailing arm (that part that carries the spindle and swings up & down from the pivot point of the cross-beam) is a fixed-and-constant measurement? If that is the case, I can tell you that the answer is "no" ... it varies with your hub face-to-hub face measurement and your outside frame-to-outside frame measurement (as an example, you and another builder might have the exact hub face measurements but have different frame widths, and so the distance between the mounting brackets and the inside face of the trailing arms will be different). One of the most difficult issues I had with Dexter is that I required a specific and constant measurement between the trailing arms, and for some reason their "engineers" could not (or would not) get their heads around my needs ... I eventually found a work-around, but it remained a PITA nonetheless ... ...!

Also, by "4 inch offset" on your rims, are you referring to the space from the wheel mounting flange and the inside edge of the wheel? That's called backspace and can be either a positive offset (more of the wheel to the inside of the hub face) or negative offset (more of the wheel to the outside of the hub face), however, most common trailer wheels are what is referred to as 0-offset (equal amounts of of the wheel on both sides of the hub face). You also didn't say the size of your wheels ... with a #9 Dexter, you need a minimum 14" wheel to clear the base of the trailing arm at the pivot point (though, if I recall correctly, having brakes requires the longer spindle which puts the wheel further outward thus making that much less of a problem).

Did that help clear things up a bit, or just further muddy the waters ... ...? I can tell you that making full-size cross-section drawings of the frame/axle/hub/wheel on a scrap of cardboard really helps to clear things up and point out potential problems. Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

[Esteban]

Grant Whipp wrote

You also didn't say the size of your wheels ... with a #9 Dexter, you need a minimum 14" wheel to clear the base of the trailing arm at the pivot point (though, if I recall correctly, having brakes requires the longer spindle which puts the wheel further outward thus making that much less of a problem).

My teardrop trailer construction is stalled.

Years ago I bought a customized Dexter #9 axle with electric brakes installed and a short spindle. I have 14" zero offset trailer tires/wheels mounted to the axle. The brakes do not interfere with the trailing arm.

BTW my biggest motivation to order a Dexter #9 with a short spindle was for the tires to fit fenders that are 10.75" wide. Fenders that wide were very difficult to find at the time.

Here are several 10.75" wide fenders: 32x10 3/4 Single Axle .080 Marine Grade Aluminum Trailer Fender
or 32x10 3/4 Single Axle 16-Gauge Steel Trailer Fender

[tony.latham]

Can anyone tell me if the distance between the outer edge of the mounting brackets and inner surface of the torsion bar a fixed measurement and if so approximately what are we looking at.

It depends on how you spec up the axle. They'll weld the brackets for the width of your trailer. Here's the last order I did:

Axle: #9 Torflex with hubs
• Trailer weight: 1500#
• Start angle: 22.5" Down
• Hub Face: 74"
• Trailer width: 59.5"
• Hub Diameter: 6.5"
• Lubrication: EZ Lube
• Brakes: none
• 1 ea. -Side mount kit
• Bolt Pattern: 5 on 4 - 1/2" (with standard studs)

The brackets came welded at 59.5". The distance from there to the arm depends on what hub face width you want. This is the only pic I've got of that axle....



Tony

[grant whipp]

I've been returning to this thread for the past week, looking for "Stano" to at least acknowledge the time & effort that the few of us so graciously and helpfully invested to answer (or try to answer) his question ... sadly, but not surprisingly, he has not! Now, of all people, I certainly understand that-and-how "life" can get in the way of our best intentions ... but, if you are going to take the time to post a question that you would apparently like an answer to, please do us all the respect of following through (at least a little bit) and show a little gratitude for those who responded. And, to be clear, when I said "not surprisingly" above, I am NOT referring to "Stano" in person or in fact, but rather in reference to the knowledge that this kind of thing seems to happen all to often on this 'Board ... ...! 'Nuf said!

[dales133]

All ways happens in some way everywhere grant.
You advice is apreciated by many and unappreciated by few.
I started my build almost a year ago... starting with building the trailer.
I try to help where I can and this is a great community of knowledgeable people who almost all keep up the tradition of encouragement and helpfulness
Don't be discouraged most of us are kindred spirits from wherever we hail.

[Brushy_Bill]

I understand how you feel Grant.
Hope it helps to know your answers in this
thread has helped me.
I found this thread using the search function.
I am getting ready to draw up a scratch build
trailer frame and was curious about these
Dexter axles and how to describe what you wanted
when you ordered them.

Thanks to all who has responded.

And I hope you have a fantastic retirement.
All I ask is that you and your wife take good care of each
other.