wesseld
Phoenix, AZ
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Joined: 09/13/2006
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Our 2005 Alpenlite Aspen 28RL TT had a tire (Mission brand) start to lose its tread on our last trip, and because it essentially got larger in diameter as the tread started to separate, it actually wore a hole through the inner wheelwell. Luckily, the tire stayed together and didn't do any other damage.
Picture of wheelwell hole.
Normally, there is only about 1" of clearance between the tire and wheelwell, and the trailer sits very low to the ground. I inquired with Dexter axle about somehow remounting the Dexter Tor-Flex Axle lower on the frame to gain some clearance. I also sent them a photo of the axle bracket to help identify the axles I do have. They said:
"Your axles have the “Norco” brackets for mounting to the trailer frame. These are made to fit the axle to the Norco made frame. I believe the bolt holes have coined indentations that match indentations in the frame rail. These interlocking indentations are carrying the vertical load so that the flange on the bottom does not have to contact the frame. If you rotate the axle and create new mounting holes you will not get the same engagement between the bracket and the frame rail. I cannot say if that will work or not."
Photos of axle:
The person I was emailing is named Duane, and was very responsive and understanding. I just sent another email with my actual axle info, but he is on vacation for the next two weeks.
Here are some of the questions I have sent them, along with Duane's responses:
1. Do you have any information on the Norco brackets and/or frames?
2. Using the current axle and brackets, would it be feasible to remount them using spacers between the frame and bracket?
3. Would it just be easier and/or cheaper to replace the axles, and if so, how would I specify the new ones?
4. Can my current axles be modified or reassembled (by Dexter or a shop) to change the down angle?
Answers:
1. I do not have any information on Norco. Perhaps you can contact them through their web site.
2. I cannot recommend repositioning the brackets because I believe Norco plans the axle bracket to be an integral part of the frame and you may be compromising some of the frame strength.
3. A replacement axle is all that DEXTER AXLE can offer you. You would need to order a greater down start angle to gain trailer height. It would be best if you could get the serial number from your present axle and we can look up the build specs and duplicate it except for the start angle. The serial number should be engraved directly onto the axle tube to the right of center on the back side. Look for a 9 digit number.
4. The DEXTER AXLE Torflex axles cannot be rebuilt or modified to change the start angle.
I was wondering if anyone has ever modified or replaced their existing Tor-Flex axles with ones that have a greater start angle so they could gain some ground clearance?
Thanks,
Don
2005 Alpenlite Aspen 28RL
Hensley Arrow
Prodigy brake controller
McKesh mirrors
Putnam XDR Class V receiver
2007 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 V8, 2WD, 3.73 rear
2007 Kawasaki KLX250, 2004 Yahama TW200
5+ year prostate cancer survivor - Git IT checked!
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wesseld
Phoenix, AZ
Full Member
Joined: 09/13/2006
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Update on my axle issues:
Dexter rocks! After at least 10 emails back and forth, Duane (product engineer) said that I may have a warranty claim on my axles, saying they could have taken on more of a permanent set than they are supposed to. He even gave me the phone number of the Warranty department. I spoke with Connie (very nice lady) in the Warranty department, and we determined that I could not get new axles under warranty because I am the second owner of the trailer, but she did give me a VERY good price on two new axles. She even conferenced-in Duane to help determine which axles to order. All this took almost 30 minutes on the phone, they were in no rush, and answered all of my many, many questions. Duane even worked up some specification drawings and emailed them to me to show the differences between the 22.5 degree and the 45 degree down-angle axles.
I chose the 45 degree down-angle because that would give me about a 3" lift over what I currently have on the trailer. I gave Connie my credit card number and shipping address, and we were all done.
I told Connie and Duane that it's very rare to run across a component manufacturing company that will help out the end user like they are doing. I highly recommend calling Dexter if you are having any trouble with your axles, and see what they can do for you.
I will post more when I receive the new axles and get them installed.
Don
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