Axle life expectancy

[gwolfe@wvi.com]

I have a 2010 19, is Dexter axle life expectancy something I should worry about?

Thanks

[Escape_19]

This is related to Dexter Axles...YMMV...approximately 15 yrs.

Bump clearance is necessary so the tire doesn't contact the wheel well. Beyond that, the ride and ability of the axle also will degrade with age.

The 10 degree sag limit indication, stated by a Dexter Axle engineer, is a way to judge the health of the rubber. You could actually have an axle that still has 3" bump clearance with the rubber completely degraded and no shock absorption left.

In the end both clearance and shock absorption is required.If the axle is indeed degraded, there won't be three inches of bump clearance -- Also, not all axles started with the same angle (up or down).

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by gwolfe@wvi.com

I have a 2010 19, is Dexter axle life expectancy something I should worry about?

I've seen 10-15 years quoted on average. Personally I think 10 is really low. Some owners get 20 or more. We have a 2010 as well and the axles are doing just fine. I wouldn't worry unless you sense the performance is suffering.

[gklott]

Originally Posted by gwolfe@wvi.com

I have a 2010 19, is Dexter axle life expectancy something I should worry about?

Our Torflex Dexter axles come with a 10 year limited warranty. I’ve hear the rubber bands in the axle wear out and get stiff sometime > 10 years.
https://www.dexteraxle.com/user_area...ice_manual.pdf

73/gus

[Mike G]

I have read that sitting idle on the axles is harder on the rubber than regular use due to the rubber getting stiff. I plan to use my trailer regularly!

Come to think of it, if I sit for too long my joints become stiff! Might be something to it, lol.

[CE Vogel]

My prior trailer had a Dexter Torflex axle, and when I sold the trailer after 10 years and 52,000 miles the axle was still in excellent condition. I did jack the trailer completely off the ground when put into winter storage.

[escape artist]

Hi: All... We have one of the few 5.0TA's with springs, shackles, and equalizers. My RV Tech says it's almost time to replace the bushings. It's a 2014. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: All... We have one of the few 5.0TA's with springs, shackles, and equalizers. My RV Tech says it's almost time to replace the bushings. It's a 2014. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

My trailer too has the straight axle. I'm definitely going to replace the shackles and bearings before Alaska.

[iamunique127]

I recently dropped my old style beam axles to below the springs for more clearance on my 2015 5.0TA.

All the bushings in the springs were intact and looked like new. There seemed to be bronze (or some other type) of bushings in the equalizers that we did not remove to inspect because they appear to be pressed in.

Granted, there are only about 11,000km on the trailer