jiujitsu07731
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2021
- Posts
- 1
Axle replacement 2004 2027SD
Last fall on a camping trip, we were hearing a rubbing noise coming from the driver's side wheel. This was leaving a site after a longer stay. Checked inflation, dumped the gray water and headed home. When preparing for another trip then, my wife noticed particles in the cabinets above the wheel wells. The tires on both sides had rubbed and partially worn through the plastic wheel well covers. It became obvious that the suspension on the torsion axles went. That trip was cancelled.
What to replace it with? This was a 2004 2027 model, smaller tires than what is standard now, 3500lb suspension. I contacted trailmanor, after some back an forth, they said that their record keeping was incomplete from that era and they couldn't tell me the specifics. I could tell it was a Dextor but the labelling was worn beyond reading. There was supposedly some SN engraving on it but if so, it was pretty rusted. Trailmanor could provide me what they currently use which requires a larger tire. They even sent me the drawings showing what the cut out of the wheel well would be. Other dimensions (in particular the spindle length) may have affected the other aspects of the geometry. This possibility was getting too daunting for me.
I then contacted Dexter who told me i had to work through a dealer. Franklin trailers in NJ was the closest. They confirmed that the series 10 model was rated to 3500, and to go heavier, i would have to go to the series 11, which had the bigger tire and longer spindle. From the catalog, I saw that the series 10 could go heavier, but they stated that the axle only supported the smaller tire and 3500 lb brakes. Unlike most trailer applications the heaviest load on a camper is not in transit but when parked (people inside, water and such). For a small incremental cost I was able to get a series 10 suspension rated to 4000 lbs with 3500 brakes and the same dimensions as the original axle. I just didn't want to replace it with another 3500. The dealer said that the failure could have been age, overloading. There was a time when we had the tire repaired and the service tech jacked on the axle. I dropped the axle off at the dealer so they could make their own measurements and order correctly (non-returnable). It arrived 2 weeks later at the dealer. Had to wait for better weather and just mounted it. It fit perfectly. I also went from the 22 degrees angle to 33 to get a bit more clearance on the wheel well. That raised the height about 3 inches. So have to add more blocking under the stablizers and hitch jack. Also the hitch elevation for towing.
I couldn't find replacement wheel well covers. Current ones from trailmanor would not match. Nothing on line would work. The was enough intact that we were able to use under side tape to seal it again.
We'll be taking it out for our first trip in a couple of weeks. Searching this site and other forums did have some articles about axles but didn't quite help my situation. I hope this will help anyone in the same situation.
.
Last fall on a camping trip, we were hearing a rubbing noise coming from the driver's side wheel. This was leaving a site after a longer stay. Checked inflation, dumped the gray water and headed home. When preparing for another trip then, my wife noticed particles in the cabinets above the wheel wells. The tires on both sides had rubbed and partially worn through the plastic wheel well covers. It became obvious that the suspension on the torsion axles went. That trip was cancelled.
What to replace it with? This was a 2004 2027 model, smaller tires than what is standard now, 3500lb suspension. I contacted trailmanor, after some back an forth, they said that their record keeping was incomplete from that era and they couldn't tell me the specifics. I could tell it was a Dextor but the labelling was worn beyond reading. There was supposedly some SN engraving on it but if so, it was pretty rusted. Trailmanor could provide me what they currently use which requires a larger tire. They even sent me the drawings showing what the cut out of the wheel well would be. Other dimensions (in particular the spindle length) may have affected the other aspects of the geometry. This possibility was getting too daunting for me.
I then contacted Dexter who told me i had to work through a dealer. Franklin trailers in NJ was the closest. They confirmed that the series 10 model was rated to 3500, and to go heavier, i would have to go to the series 11, which had the bigger tire and longer spindle. From the catalog, I saw that the series 10 could go heavier, but they stated that the axle only supported the smaller tire and 3500 lb brakes. Unlike most trailer applications the heaviest load on a camper is not in transit but when parked (people inside, water and such). For a small incremental cost I was able to get a series 10 suspension rated to 4000 lbs with 3500 brakes and the same dimensions as the original axle. I just didn't want to replace it with another 3500. The dealer said that the failure could have been age, overloading. There was a time when we had the tire repaired and the service tech jacked on the axle. I dropped the axle off at the dealer so they could make their own measurements and order correctly (non-returnable). It arrived 2 weeks later at the dealer. Had to wait for better weather and just mounted it. It fit perfectly. I also went from the 22 degrees angle to 33 to get a bit more clearance on the wheel well. That raised the height about 3 inches. So have to add more blocking under the stablizers and hitch jack. Also the hitch elevation for towing.
I couldn't find replacement wheel well covers. Current ones from trailmanor would not match. Nothing on line would work. The was enough intact that we were able to use under side tape to seal it again.
We'll be taking it out for our first trip in a couple of weeks. Searching this site and other forums did have some articles about axles but didn't quite help my situation. I hope this will help anyone in the same situation.
.
