Axle upgrade

Rhigh

New Member
RV LIFE Pro
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
7
Hello,
I have a 2011 Flagstaff Mircolite 23FB. After a 7000 mile road trip this last summer I believe I need to replace my axles. The existing axles are ALKO U19 rated for 2200 lbs. The trailer itself is 3950 lbs dry weight, so I'm very close to the axle capacity. I'd like to upgrade to 3000/3500 axle. Has anyone had experience in doing something like this?
Thanks
 
Keep in mind that about 500 pounds of your trailer is sitting on the tow vehicle hitch. It is very typical with trailer manufactures to size axles with this in mind. Not saying you should not up grade yours however unless you go to a Cat scale you really don't know your weights, maybe start there.
 
Have your springs flattened?
I changed out my springs (TT bought Apr 2018) last year. Mine were flat, even after becoming somewhat anal about overloading.
My single axle was 3500# rated, GVWR 3877#.
New springs are 5000# rated. Lifted the TT 2”.
Researched cheap springs on Amazon. Most had complaints about flattening out, so I bought from a reputable seller direct, ETrailer.
 
Last edited:
Thank you for your replies.
The axles are torsion type. So no flattened springs.
I understand what you are saying Odyknuck. My thinking is if I'm going to replace the axles, I might as well upgrade to a heaver capacity.
The challenge I'm having, as the AL KO axles are no longer made, is determining the swing are travel needed. Also none of the axles flanges appear to match the existing frame flange.
 
Chances are the rubber in the axle tube has collapsed or deteoriated. The only solution is to replace the axles. We had those on our prevous TT. The company says the life is about 10 years. Depending on use and abuse factors.

Look for DEXTER axles as a good replacement.

Bob
 
Last edited:
I believe the axles have deteriorated. as I have only about 1" of clearance from the top of tire to fender well. Although there is very little scuffing on the fender well it self, the tire appears to have rubbed at the very front of the fender well.
The Dexter web site has a lot of information on the torsion axles, I am hoping someone has changed axles and could possibly give me some insight.
 
Last edited:
Thank you for your replies.
The axles are torsion type. So no flattened springs.
I understand what you are saying Odyknuck. My thinking is if I'm going to replace the axles, I might as well upgrade to a heaver capacity.
The challenge I'm having, as the AL KO axles are no longer made, is determining the swing are travel needed. Also none of the axles flanges appear to match the existing frame flange.

Call Dexter.
I overheard them telling someone at this year's International FROG Rally they could match/upgrade many of the old AL CO axles.
 
That's interesting I have reached out to some suppliers. I'll try Dexter directly
Thank you
 
Last edited:

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom