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Old 03-12-2020, 08:21 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Djs View Post
I just went by what was printed on the sticker that was on the trailer. By the time I got done installing the. replacement axle, discovering that it didn't fix the problem, going back and forth with Dexter, unloading the trailer, weighing it empty, letting ETI know and not really getting a satisfactory answer I had fooled around enough and just bought another trailer. I was pulling it with a one ton diesel pickup and it still fishtailed and porpoiseed. my new airstream weighs twice as much and pulls like a dream with my ram 1500, admittedly I do have a weight distribution hitch with the airstream.
In this post you admit to driving very rough roads and bending your axle. There seems to be more to this story. I respect your experience and summary but I think it is a premature conclusion on the part of Dexter and the axle shop that Escape built your trailer with an underrated axle. If they did we would be hearing about many more axle/tire issues with 17's.
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Old 04-14-2020, 07:41 AM   #22
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We just purchased a used 2018 Escape 19. I know it has Dexter Torflex EZ Lube axles, but I did not know there was such a thing as a derated 3500! It sounds like we have the full dual 3500# axles. I would rather have more capacity than less! If the trailer rides a little stiffer, so be it.
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Old 04-14-2020, 03:36 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by gypsysouls View Post
We just purchased a used 2018 Escape 19. I know it has Dexter Torflex EZ Lube axles, but I did not know there was such a thing as a derated 3500! It sounds like we have the full dual 3500# axles. I would rather have more capacity than less! If the trailer rides a little stiffer, so be it.
I understand what you are saying but proper design for the predicted max load (GVWR) plus a reasonable safety factor is all you need. The Dexter Torflex #10 axles used on all Escapes can be tuned for 2200-3500# by changing the quantity of rubber. With a 4000# GWVR (classic 19) I'm glad my axles are rated for 4600# in combination and not 7000#.
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Old 04-14-2020, 03:41 PM   #24
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Go to a higher rating and you'll spend all your spare time putting things back where you had them and tightening screws and bolts. The axle is rated for the trailer GVWR.
Or replace the axle with a solid iron bar...
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Old 04-14-2020, 04:57 PM   #25
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Okay. I get the gist. So riddle me this Batmen (&Batwomen?) - does anyone know why ETI increased the axle capacity if it was not necessary? Really just curious about the change being a new owner.
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Old 04-14-2020, 05:18 PM   #26
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Originally Posted by Kingfish View Post
My axles had to be replaced under warranty on my 2016 19' two years ago. ETI recommended I upgrade from 2500lb to 3500lb axles, which Dexter agreed to do at no extra charge. ETI switched to 3500 lb axles on the 19 in 2017.
The likely reason for this is because the Gen2 19 gained more weight vs. Gen1 than any other model. It now weighs close to what the Gen1 21 did. 2,950 Gen2 19 vs. 3,050 Gen1 21- both dry & no options.
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Old 04-14-2020, 08:21 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by gypsysouls View Post
Okay. I get the gist. So riddle me this Batmen (&Batwomen?) - does anyone know why ETI increased the axle capacity if it was not necessary? Really just curious about the change being a new owner.
For starters the GVWR is 1000# higher at 5000#. The gen2 trailers got heavier. Also we are assuming ETI is using #10 axles rated for the full capacity and not just calling them “3500#” axles. You should have a placard on the side of your trailer with the GAWR (gross axle weight rating). See pic. Where ours says 2x1045 (kg) (2300#) yours should say 2x1585 if they are truly rated for 3500#. Please report back because I am curious.
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Old 04-14-2020, 08:24 PM   #28
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Originally Posted by gypsysouls View Post
Okay. I get the gist. So riddle me this Batmen (&Batwomen?) - does anyone know why ETI increased the axle capacity if it was not necessary? Really just curious about the change being a new owner.

You seem to be assuming that ETI doesn't know what they are doing.
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Old 04-14-2020, 10:17 PM   #29
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Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
Also we are assuming ETI is using #10 axles rated for the full capacity and not just calling them “3500#” axles. You should have a placard on the side of your trailer with the GAWR (gross axle weight rating). See pic. Where ours says 2x1045 (kg) (2300#) yours should say 2x1585 if they are truly rated for 3500#. Please report back because I am curious.
If there's any doubt (I don't have any doubt), the GAWR should be shown on the label on each axle assembly, as well... although that may not survive long in use.
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Old 04-15-2020, 08:27 AM   #30
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Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
Where ours says 2x1045 (kg) (2300#) yours should say 2x1585 if they are truly rated for 3500#...
For reference, our 19 Gen 2 was mf'd 5-17, says "2x1136 kg" (2x2500#).
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Old 04-15-2020, 09:46 AM   #31
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For reference, our 19 Gen 2 was mf'd 5-17, says "2x1136 kg" (2x2500#).
Right inline with what I am saying...5000# axle capacity - 5000# GVWR. No need for 7000#. Thanks for sharing.

As I suspected, the features tab on the ETI website listing "Tandem 3500lb Torsion Rubber Ride Suspension" does not appear to be accurate...at least for the 19. 3500# is the maximum capacity of this particular model #10 axle if furnished that way from Dexter. They also list "tandem" for the 17A and 17B which tells me they need to correct some cut & paste errors.
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Old 04-19-2020, 06:18 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by J&B Mitt View Post
For reference, our 19 Gen 2 was mf'd 5-17, says "2x1136 kg" (2x2500#).
Anyone else care to share the GAWR numbers from your exterior placard? I think I’m on to something here...some owners likely do not have the 3500# rated axles they think they have.
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Old 04-19-2020, 06:26 PM   #33
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My 17B only has one axle.
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Old 04-19-2020, 06:38 PM   #34
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Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
My 17B only has one axle.
The full 3500# axle rating makes sense with a single axle 17. It also matches the GVWR listed. This raises another question though...how is ETI continuing to use the Dexter Torflex #10 on the 17’s with max 3500# capacity when the trailer GVWR is now 4000#?
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Old 04-19-2020, 07:02 PM   #35
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Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
The full 3500# axle rating makes sense with a single axle 17. It also matches the GVWR listed.
I agree. As far as I know, the full 3,500 pound GAWR has always been used with this model.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
This raises another question though...how is ETI continuing to use the Dexter Torflex #10 on the 17’s with max 3500# capacity when the trailer GVWR is now 4000#?
For the trailer's gross weight to reach the 4,000 pound GVWR without exceeding the 3,500 pound GAWR, the tongue weight would need to be at least 500 pounds. Since that's only 12.5% of the trailer's gross weight I don't think that is an unreasonable expectation.
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Old 04-19-2020, 08:27 PM   #36
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Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
Anyone else care to share the GAWR numbers from your exterior placard? I think I’m on to something here...some owners likely do not have the 3500# rated axles they think they have.
Our 2019 E21 has 2 x 1136 GAWR on the exterior placard. 2272 GVWR. I thought we had tandem 3000# axles, for a total of 6000# ...but this is now making me think it's now a total of 5000#? If so, thanks for pointing that out. I know we weigh close to 5000# dripping wet already (weighed it at a truck scale twice). May need to put dear ol' trailer on yet another, 'South Beach' diet..hate to be that close. Thanks, -Bea
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Old 04-19-2020, 10:36 PM   #37
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Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
anyone else care to share the gawr numbers from your exterior placard? I think i’m on to something here...some owners likely do not have the 3500# rated axles they think they have.
2019 5.0ta
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Old 04-19-2020, 11:09 PM   #38
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2019 5.0ta
Thanks for sharing. You have two 3000# axles and a 5500# GWVR. Makes sense.
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Old 01-08-2022, 09:33 AM   #39
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5.0 axles

My 2021 5.0 says axles 1588kg x 2 or 3500# axle rating
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Old 01-08-2022, 10:21 AM   #40
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The full 3500# axle rating makes sense with a single axle 17. It also matches the GVWR listed. This raises another question though...how is ETI continuing to use the Dexter Torflex #10 on the 17’s with max 3500# capacity when the trailer GVWR is now 4000#?
The Dexter #10 can be ordered with ratings of 2500lb. to 4000lb.
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