Axle Replacement
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Axle Replacement
While towing a new to me 5th wheel the rear driver's side wheel bearing came apart. Luckily I was able to get back on the road with a 6 hour delay after replacing the bearing, backing plate and hub. The threads on the spindle were buggered at the beginning but seamed ok about 4-5 turns in. I know this was a temporary fix. My question is do I need to replace both axles or just the one and replace the bearing in the front axle. I to with 2015 F350 KR DRW and am towing a 2013 Keystone Cougar 327RES. About 11k. I have to order the oem Dexter Axle, or I can pick up axles locally but they woudl be 1 1/2 inches wider or narrower but the same weight rating (5.2k). Any thoughts or suggestions.
Kevin
Kevin
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
My thought is that if I'm doing one axle, I'm doing both because if I'm doing axles then I'm also going to upgrade to heavier axles and put in disk brakes too.
While you're in there, take a close look at the suspension. The OEM suspension parts are often using plastic bushings. I replaced my suspension this summer with a kit that has wet bolts (greasable) and bronze bushings. The equalizer between the two leaf springs is better also.
While you're in there, take a close look at the suspension. The OEM suspension parts are often using plastic bushings. I replaced my suspension this summer with a kit that has wet bolts (greasable) and bronze bushings. The equalizer between the two leaf springs is better also.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
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While you're in there, take a close look at the suspension. The OEM suspension parts are often using plastic bushings. I replaced my suspension this summer with a kit that has wet bolts (greasable) and bronze bushings. The equalizer between the two leaf springs is better also.
At the least, I would take a hard look at all wheel bearings in the camper. Maybe you had a fluke or maybe you got cheaper bearings like I got in my camper. During a routine bearing cleanup and repack, I found a couple original bearings starting to fret so I replaced all bearings. My drums have a lot of life yet so I knocked out the bearing cups and pressed in new ones. Then I had a machinist smooth the surface of my drums where the magnet rides and got new magnets.
I don't have strong opinions one way or the other about going to disc brakes. My refreshed drums jerk me pretty good since I refreshed them.
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I was planning to replace the bearings on the second axle. The brakes grab good so not looking to convert to disk brakes at this time. I will probably upgrade to wet bolts. The only option from a rv supply store is $725 plus shipping for a loaded axle with springs from dexter, haven't been able to find just an axle tube.
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
When I bent the axle on my single axle RV trailer I went to a local trailer repair shop. It's not in the same class as an axle under an RV but I got out of there for less than $300 and that included upgrading the axle to one that was heavier and had brakes.
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
If you are willing to get a little dirty, then check out https://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/
I used them a couple years ago for a replacement TT axle and the service was top notch. No way I would pay $700 for a replacement axle.
I used them a couple years ago for a replacement TT axle and the service was top notch. No way I would pay $700 for a replacement axle.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Kaysville Utah
I bent my axles in 2010 when a spare tire vibrated loose and slide under the trailer at hiway speeds. I had the axles straighten and aligned but was warned that they'd never be as strong and would need to be replaced at some future date.
Summer of 2017, I noticed tread wear and decided it was time to replace the axles vs re-aligning them again. ( they take a hydraulic press and bend the axles into alignment. So it leaves dimples in the axle.)
I had a moble trailer repair do the job. They measured the axles and had a custom set made up at local supplier in Salt Lake. These were 7.000 lbs Torision axles with new brakes and hubs.
The switch over cost me $1400 for both axles. I'm sure the mobile trailer repair got bought them for $550 or $600 each and made the difference for the install.
Point is the axle were custom made for my trailer. They measured where the mounting brackets where, the distance between center of tread to center of tread etc. You should be able to have axles built if you are near a major city. Small rural towns may have to order axles from Dexter, But any city of major size should have distributor that can build a custom axle
Summer of 2017, I noticed tread wear and decided it was time to replace the axles vs re-aligning them again. ( they take a hydraulic press and bend the axles into alignment. So it leaves dimples in the axle.)
I had a moble trailer repair do the job. They measured the axles and had a custom set made up at local supplier in Salt Lake. These were 7.000 lbs Torision axles with new brakes and hubs.
The switch over cost me $1400 for both axles. I'm sure the mobile trailer repair got bought them for $550 or $600 each and made the difference for the install.
Point is the axle were custom made for my trailer. They measured where the mounting brackets where, the distance between center of tread to center of tread etc. You should be able to have axles built if you are near a major city. Small rural towns may have to order axles from Dexter, But any city of major size should have distributor that can build a custom axle
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
Most trailers use a standard size leaf spring. For a dual axle trailer, it's (usually) either a 33" or 35" center-to-center measurement from one axle to the other.
I was at the local Farm/Ranch store (Murdoch's) and they had a set of leaf springs that would have fit my RV trailer. Had I known that, I might have put in new leaf springs rather than hassle with the old ones when I did my suspension upgrade last month.
I was at the local Farm/Ranch store (Murdoch's) and they had a set of leaf springs that would have fit my RV trailer. Had I known that, I might have put in new leaf springs rather than hassle with the old ones when I did my suspension upgrade last month.
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