axle replacement costs and needs

braddaddy · 03-01-2012, 10:00 PM

Well we decided not to by a new TT and are going to make the repairs to our 2000 Flagstaff 829BHS

main repair is the replacement of the 2 axles....

One is bent and figured I would have both replaced.

Also only 1 wheel seems to lock up when I brake...(tried on a gravel rd and when I braked hard only one wheel locked up...the other 3 kept a'rollin')

So... does any one know the cost of replacing the axles...?

Does the axle come with new brakes and wheel hub? (ideal)

Closest flagstaff dealer to me is FunTimes RV Center in Antioch, Il 45min away

I dont want to drag TT around trying to get quotes....

braddaddy · 03-01-2012, 10:13 PM

Also...(sorry).... Can I get quotes for the axle replacement without bringing the TT into the dealer?

And I want to get the 6K axles.... (dry weight is 4600#) Axle bent due to blowout (says previous owner) So I thought 6k axle would rid me of that happening again... I read on here I think that the TT usually come with low grade axles. T/F?

b1b1das · 03-01-2012, 10:20 PM

While I am not sure of the pricing in your area, I recently replaced the axles on my 20' utility trailer and added brakes. I did the work myself, so I only know what the material cost was. I installed 2 @ 5200# axles, new steel rims with tires. Only the back axle had the brakes though. I spent in the neighborhood of $1100 for the materials for the rims and axles including leaf springs and brakes, the tires were an additional $550.

Hope this helps...

caper · 03-01-2012, 11:26 PM

In Canada a 6000# axle with break assembly cost $599.

LadyWindrider · 03-02-2012, 09:58 AM

You want 4500 pound axles. Times 2 of them gives you 9000 pounds of trailer weight, more than enough. Also, your wheels and hubs may not work on a 6000 pound axles. If you insist, check the spindle diameter of both, to make sure you have enough parts for the job. Most axles don't have the brakes, have to use the ones you have. It will give you a chance to inspect and adjust them. The axles I have replaced as a tech, have come with new grease seals for the hubs. Also came with now U bolts and hardware for mounting. You will need to know if the axles are below the spring, or above. Should be able to get quotes without having to drag the camper around. Good Luck.

Bunkfamily · 03-02-2012, 11:17 AM

try these guys, I have ordered a few axles and some brake kits from these guys

Southwest Wheel Company Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels

braddaddy · 03-03-2012, 08:46 PM

YIKES.... to replace my axles, general RV wants approx $900 per axle !

I think I might do it myself. I am pretty mechanical. On my truck I have replaced my brakes, rotors, calipers, ball joints, inner/outer rods, alternator, as well as other items on other vehicals.... I should be able to replace the axles...I just didnt 'want' to... but to save $1K +..... I do want to now.

jonnys_walkers · 03-04-2012, 10:25 PM

Determine which axles are under the unit. Check on the websites for your configuration. If there are no other issues of bent components, then order them up, do the wiring and you should be good to go.

Here is an example of the Dexter Axles: http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/..._Lbs_12-10.pdf

braddaddy · 03-05-2012, 07:51 PM

Thanks!
This is what I have now that I will be replacing....

Mfr. Model Capacity (kg) Size (mm) Static Loaded Radius (mm)
Al-Ko U296 1364/3000 10 x 2-1/4 12.45/316

So on with the hunt for new ones.....

TURBS · 03-05-2012, 07:55 PM

Id buy from a company such as Midwest Wheel Companies - Home

braddaddy · 03-05-2012, 07:57 PM

So it looks like Ill go with the AL KO U40

upgrade to 4000-4400 lbs

rockwood06 · 03-05-2012, 08:56 PM

I had to replace the front axle on my 2006 Rockwood 8314ss right after the warrenty went out in 2007, the cost was $700.00 bucks plus two breaks and back plates. The axle had to be ordered and had taken two weeks to get, I suggest if you are going to do the work make sure you have a floor jack handy and if your axles are any thing like mine and they have slots where they are to be mounted make sure the axle is pushed all the way towards the rear of the camper before you tighten them up. Mine were AL-CO axles.

When I received my axle the mounting brackets were not square to each other and you can not make any adjustments because they are welded, that is another story in my book....Good luck.

sherdep · 03-05-2012, 09:12 PM

I have replaced both 3500# pound axles on a utility trailer due to being bent - they were overloaded and when I bought the trailer I thought it was bearings - so wrong I was.
I took one of the axle's out and brought it to a trailer shop to have them verify what I needed as far as perch spacing and then ordered two axles - which fit perfect when I was done. I did replace the U Bolts which I would suggest you should as well when replacing the axles for peace of mind.

a floor jack and jack stands are a must and if you have done that kind of work to your truck then replacing axles are going to be a breeze.

rockwood06 · 03-06-2012, 09:03 AM

I would like to clarify, my axles had torsion suspension, no "U" bolts.

braddaddy · 03-09-2012, 12:43 PM

Yes, mine are torsion also....
CampingWorld told me about $1900 total for parts and labor.....oye....
I keep returning to the idea of doing it myself....I just dont think I 'want' to do it.

avocadoman1 · 03-14-2012, 12:32 PM

while on a 1200 mile trip from SoCal to Seattle, WA i noticed uneven wear on inside of front axle driver's side tire of my Rockwood 1809.
all other tires were wearing normally.

upon further review...the torsion arm was noticeably bent, the tires are out of alignment. i must have hit a pot hole @ 60mph, not sure how else it would have happened.

so i have replaced the bad tire with a good spare for the time being.

because the torsion arm is bent, the entire axle must be replaced, or so i've been told by a number of specialists. to remove the axle, it's basically just 4 bolts (two on each side).

i have decided to NOT replace the electric brake drums on the axle because it doubles the cost and the brakes are fine.
to remove the brake drums there are 4 bolts on each side, plus the brake wires.

so, i called to find out about replacing just the Al-Ko 2,000# axle.

as noted in a post above, it takes 2-3 weeks. my axle ships from Oklahoma. since i am on a road trip I cannot wait three weeks in Seattle for my axle. so i'll ship it to a distributor near my home.

the cost for one axle (parts only) is $250. Shipping is $150.

i will be driving south to my SoCal home next week. i expect that i'll ruin another tire during the 1200 mile run.

bottom line...this fix will cost me $400 for axle (+ my labor) + $250 for two new tires (original one that wore unevenly + the spare that will probably be ruined on my trip home).

i'll update this thread if i experience anything out of the ordinary.

TURBS · 03-14-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avocadoman1

while on a 1200 mile trip from SoCal to Seattle, WA i noticed uneven wear on inside of front axle driver's side tire of my Rockwood 1809.
all other tires were wearing normally.

upon further review...the torsion arm was noticeably bent, the tires are out of alignment. i must have hit a pot hole @ 60mph, not sure how else it would have happened.

so i have replaced the bad tire with a good spare for the time being.

because the torsion arm is bent, the entire axle must be replaced, or so i've been told by a number of specialists. to remove the axle, it's basically just 4 bolts (two on each side).

i have decided to NOT replace the electric brake drums on the axle because it doubles the cost and the brakes are fine.
to remove the brake drums there are 4 bolts on each side, plus the brake wires.

so, i called to find out about replacing just the Al-Ko 2,000# axle.

as noted in a post above, it takes 2-3 weeks. my axle ships from Oklahoma. since i am on a road trip I cannot wait three weeks in Seattle for my axle. so i'll ship it to a distributor near my home.

the cost for one axle (parts only) is $250. Shipping is $150.

i will be driving south to my SoCal home next week. i expect that i'll ruin another tire during the 1200 mile run.

bottom line...this fix will cost me $400 for axle (+ my labor) + $250 for two new tires (original one that wore unevenly + the spare that will probably be ruined on my trip home).

i'll update this thread if i experience anything out of the ordinary.

I did notice on my old tt that the holes where the axle bolted to
The frame were slotted.
You may need to correctly align that axle once installed via squared with the frame and other axle.
just an fyi

OldCoot · 03-14-2012, 01:13 PM

While you are at it, drill holes in the bottom of the tube that the axle bracket seats on, the holes are already in the axle supports. I installed 1/2x1-1/2" grade 8 bolts & self locking nuts to the front & rear of each support so I didn't have to rely on the side bolts in slots holding. Over time, regardless of how tight you get the side bolts, they will slip and let the axle support come down in the front. With the bolts thru the top of the support, it is not possible. Have had 4 trailers with the torsion axles and all 16 axles moved within a yr. After installing the top bolts, they never moved again. Just did it to our new 2012 Flagstaff 8528RKWS as it had moved about 1/16" and it was just towed from the factory to Concord, NC and about 15 miles to our house.

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