Are Dexter axles adjustable?

[Arne]

I think they recommend an axle capacity 2 times (twice) the trailer weight.

I got the 2k model, which should be fine for my 1k (I hope) tear drop.

[asianflava]

I have a 2000lb #9 under my trailer, it is a bit too much. The #9 is preferable to the #7 because you can get larger hubs and 5lug bolt patterns. At the time, I didn't know that you can order them with a lower rating.

From what I understand (for torflex axles), you want the trailer to weigh 75% of the axle rating. So for a trailer weighing around 1100lbs you want a 1500lb axle. Maybe someone else can vrify this....I'm just going by my faulty memory.

[WarPony]

Rock, why do you think the #9 is too much? I am building a Widget now and I really can't see this thing weighing 1500 lbs....... maybe 1200 but I don't know. I wish they made a #8.5 that would work for a 1000-1750 lb. trailer.

Jeff

[asianflava]

Sorry, I meant 2000lbs is a bit much for my trailer. I wanted a #9 instead of a #7 because the bolt pattern I wanted wasn't available in the #7.

I thought that all #9 were only available in 2000lb. MJ has ordered a #9 that was derated. I don't remember what he got exactly, but it was something like a #9 derated to 1500lbs. If I knew that you could do that when I ordered mine, that is what I would have gotten.

[Esteban]

Yes, you can order a Dexter #9 axle with the rubber derated. I ordered a Dexter #9 built with rubber rated for a 1700 pound load for the 5' x 10' teardrop I'm building.

This discussion might be a good sticky.

[WarPony]

Yes, you can order a Dexter #9 axle with the rubber derated. I ordered a Dexter #9 built with rubber rated for a 1700 pound load for the 5' x 10' teardrop I'm building.

EXCELLENT!! That's exactly what I was looking for!! Good job, guys!!

Jeff

[Trackstriper]

Jeff, You can get the #9 rated from 1000# through 2200#. See page 3 of 14 on .pdf

http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/1080235/f/6-8K%20Catalog/Torflex_information_10-05_80_res.pdf

I think it's a bit of a guessing game + experience regarding how to have the axles rated. As I recall, Rocky's numbers in earlier post are about right. Andrew's Widget plans call for a 2200# axle for the estimated 1650# loaded weight. Sounds like pretty consistent ratios. You might be able to build lighter, that's up to you.

From my understanding, the torsion axles are good right up to their design weight, where they will have the most compliant suspension and ride the best. There is still room left for the dynamic loading that happens to any trailer axle (bumps, normal irregularities in the roadway). That's the difference from "full load" to "shock load". But many people just keep packing stuff into trailers and overload the axle systems, whatever kind of axles they have....human nature. It doesn't hurt to have a little margin for error and spec the axle for a little more weight than you'll put on it. The other extreme is not loading the axle enough and it will be a perhaps too stiff and the ride is harsh as was Rocky's experience, not to pick on him in particular.

There's no perfect answer on this one, it's a compromise. The rubber torsion axles work best within a narrower loaded weight range than do spring axles, but a teardrop has a fairly constant weight...as opposed to a cargo trailer that may be empty, full, or overfull.

If you want to think through it more, the axle is designed to safely work with the rated load, but that load does not inlclude the weight of the trailer wheels, or the weight carried by the tow vehicle at the hitch (tongue weight). So if you had a 1500# trailer with a 10% hitch weight, you'd have 1350# on the wheels. But you don't have to suspend the wheels, hubs, or brakes...take off maybe another 80-100# depending on your wheel size and hub setup. Now you are asking the axle to support about 1250#. Lots to ponder, making it ever more complicated...



Are you going to build generally according to Andrew's plans?

Bruce

[WarPony]

Thanks, Bruce. I didn't realize that the #9 could be spec'd at all those different weights. I read it as, "This ONE axle is good for 1000-2200 lbs.".

I'll have to guess as to the final weight but will probably go with a 1700 lb. axle. I am using Andrew's frame and body dimensions to the "T" but will make the interior mods to our liking....... might even delete the dropped footwell or make it so it can be raised to increase the ground clearance. I have a helluva dip at the end of my driveway, plus I am only 5'2" and my GF is 5'4".

Jeff

[WarPony]

... the factory setting is fine for now, but after the tear is loaded, may want to move them a bit...http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/c-26-torsion-axles.aspx

Arne, is the axle you bought come in different weights or do you buy the 2,000 pound one and deal with it? I was pretty disappointed in their website, as far as the description and my email to them went without a reply.

Jeff

[madjack]

... the factory setting is fine for now, but after the tear is loaded, may want to move them a bit...http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/c-26-torsion-axles.aspx

Arne, is the axle you bought come in different weights or do you buy the 2,000 pound one and deal with it? I was pretty disappointed in their website, as far as the description and my email to them went without a reply.

Jeff

Jeff, that is the axle I bought for my first tear...I spec'd it as a 1500# axle...you will havvta call 'em and give 'em the specs you want for a custom axle...I talked to "Wille" and he was very helpful.....
madjack

[WarPony]

Jeff, that is the axle I bought for my first tear...I spec'd it as a 1500# axle...

Did you get the Dexter or the Flexride?

Jeff

[madjack]

Jeff, that is the axle I bought for my first tear...I spec'd it as a 1500# axle...

Did you get the Dexter or the Flexride?

Jeff

I got the Flexiride...either Dexter or the Flexiride can be spec'd to whatever weight rating that falls with the specific capacities of a given axle
madjack

p.s. I have used both the Flexiride and the Dexter...both spec'd at 1500#s...I liked the Flexiride better...besides adjustability, it seemed better constructed...however, for me, a Flexiride w/shipping costs 100 bucks more than the Dexter and it's hard to justify the cost, just for the adjustability of the torsion arms.......MJ

[WarPony]

Jackson, you are the man!!! That's exactly what I needed to know about the Flex. As far at the price, I'll spend the extra money for the adjustability. I mean, if I buy a Dexter and it's wrong, I'll be out THAT money AND the money for the one I need.

Dude, I've been yanking my hair out trying to figure what to get............. I don't know how heavy the Widget is going to be when it's done so that is a big factor in this decision.

I'll give Wille a call soon.............

Jeff

[bg]

I've dealt with both Derrick and Jeff at SWW with very good luck. They've both worked there for ages and know there stuff. Very helpful in person as well.

[Alphacarina]

From my understanding, the torsion axles are good right up to their design weight, where they will have the most compliant suspension and ride the best. There is still room left for the dynamic loading that happens to any trailer axle (bumps, normal irregularities in the roadway). That's the difference from "full load" to "shock load". But many people just keep packing stuff into trailers and overload the axle systems, whatever kind of axles they have....human nature. It doesn't hurt to have a little margin for error and spec the axle for a little more weight than you'll put on it. The other extreme is not loading the axle enough and it will be a perhaps too stiff and the ride is harsh as was Rocky's experience, not to pick on him in particular.

That's pretty much correct

I had many discussions with two Dexter engineers when I was building a trailer for my boat - I had 3 of their 5500 pound axles I wanted to use and my trailer and boat were going to be right at 10,500 pounds. I thought the 3rd axle would give me some extra capacity, since I was right at the maximum for 2 axles, but everyone I talked to at Dexter told me that 10,500 pounds on two 5500 pound axles was the 'perfect setup' and they strongly advised me not to use the 3rd axle . . . . so I didn't

The closer you are to the axles rated load the better . . . . if you're using torsion axles - Unlike leaf springs where you can use 2,000 pound springs on a 1,000 pound trailer and have a smooth ride, doing that with torsion axles will cause the trailer to bounce all over the place

Don