Heavy duty tandem axle repair?

[PHaller]

I have a 37 ft. 5er with Dexter 7200LB. axles and springs. There is a lot of play in the spring ends and the equilizer and shackels. I took it all apart and they are TOAST. The nylon bushings are worn through and the bolts, equilaizer, and shackels are badly worn.

Dexter offers two kits but the trailer guy I talked to does'nt know the difference between the standard kit and the heavy duty kit. The desciption in the catalog offers no insight. You guys have any opinions?

-Paul R. Haller-

 

[roadranger]

If it were MINE, I'd go with the heavy duty anyway. A 37 ft. 5er is pushing the limits of the 7200 lb axles, so I'd opt for the beefier option.

 

[Extreme1]

Try calling Dexter. I had to a couple years ago when getting axles made for our race trailer, they were pretty helpful. Start out by stating "I have a technical question" that will usually get you past the normal sales people and talking to a technical staffer. (This works with most places).

 

[BillZ]

Dexter Heavy Duty Suspension Kit

I just talked to Dexter customer service and here's what I found out. They do sell a "heavy duty suspension kit" for each of their axles. The heavy duty kit allows you to grease the suspension bolts and equalizers because they have zerk fittings and bronze bushing (rather than nylon). The stock shackles on my trailer had no zerks and is noisy as hell - coming into a campground was really embarrassing. Needless to say - I've ordered the heavy duty kit - should help with the noise and last longer.



Bill

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

When you order a heavy duty kit from Dexter, check the number cast on your existing equalizer. Mine is 13-122 and uses the following kit:



http://www.dexteraxle.com/dexter_marketplace/product_info.php?kit_id=209

 

[Rob Thomas]

Have you considered using the "Torflex" alxe from Dexter? Thats the torsion axle, I have them on three trailers, they're real quiet, and are maintenance free. They are available up to 10,000#'s each, and made to order. They're simple to install, just weld-on the mounting bracket, then bolt the axle to it. Just a thought.



Later, Rob