Dexter axel

[Shadow Catcher]

According to Dexter you can not upgrade 7" to 10" brakes, is there a way, short of a new axle.

[Vedette]

How much more braking power do you need for a Teardrop.
7 inch brake should be more than anyone would need.
Under 1500 lbs should not require any brakes if you Tow Vehicle is sufficient.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Shadow Catcher]

I am over 1800# loaded and while the car is certified for more I was not particularly comfortable at times in the mountains on the down hill. The real uncomfortable was coming down Tioga pass to Lee Vining about a 4,000 foot drop in 12 miles, brakes on the car were smoking and I used a lower gear part of the time and the brakes and rotors were new at the beginning of the trip.
A poster concerning his trip to Alaska made the comment he wanted to upgrade to 10" and he had one fail. Going is optional, I am a bit paranoid about stopping.

[tony.latham]

I am over 1800# loaded and while the car is certified for more I was not particularly comfortable at times in the mountains on the down hill. The real uncomfortable was coming down Tioga pass to Lee Vining about a 4,000 foot drop in 12 miles, brakes on the car were smoking and I used a lower gear part of the time and the brakes and rotors were new at the beginning of the trip.
A poster concerning his trip to Alaska made the comment he wanted to upgrade to 10" and he had one fail. Going is optional, I am a bit paranoid about stopping.

Does your Dexter have the brake mounting flanges? Is it an idler axle?

Tony

[Shadow Catcher]

It is the torsion axle and has the 7" brakes which do work, sort of.

[aggie79]

Do you know which series of Dexter that you have - #9, #10, etc.?

Most likely, based upon the weight, your teardrop has Dexter Torflex #9. I don't believe these can take 10" brakes because the shoes and drums are wider than those for 7" brakes.

[Shadow Catcher]

I frankly don't know which one it is, is there a way to tell?

[Esteban]

Shadow Catcher maybe this will help you find which Dexter Torflex axle you have. The Dexter Trailer_Axle_Resources/Torflex_Information.pdf show that the Torflex #9 axle has a 2.38" square bar. The Torflex #10 has a larger 2.5" square bar.

So, yes, you may need to replace your axle in order to have 10" brakes IF you find you now have a Dexter #9 Torflex axle.

If you havea Dexter #9 axle and it is worth it to you to buy a new axle in order to have more robust 10" brakes you might consider getting a heavy duty Timbren axle-less axle which has a better suspension for off road use. Or upgrade to a Dexter Torflex #10. Or buy a customized 3500# flexiride axle with a derated load capacity to suit your needs.

Or learn to live with your (current?) Dexter #9 axle and its 7" brakes AND get better (high temperature tolerant) brake shoes on your tow vehicle? If I remember right you have a Subaru Outback. If so you might get help from the subaruoutback.org forum about how to improve your Outback's brakes.

[Shadow Catcher]

Thanks Steve
I will crawl under tomorrow with the calipers. While I might like the Timbren the frame is aluminum and with out a lot of reinforcement. If I have to make a change I will probably go with a Flexride.