[VAC] Re: Replacing suspension

[Jim Clark <jec1938@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tuna:
I think the only spring on the Henschen axle are the little rubber 
blocks in the axle tube... there is a cross shaped piece that fits 
between 4 rubber blocks and the compression of the rubber is the 
"spring"..According to the RV shop that worked on mine, they 
can vary the rating on the axle some by stuffing the axle 
differently..and they make different sizes...They also check the 
alignment and bend the axle to set it...RV shop just bolted the axle 
back on the trailer with new backing plates and shocks....I have been 
told that the shocks for the Henschen axle are not the same as the
normal NAPA shock and that I should always get them from Airstream or 
Henschen...They were similar in price to "standard" shocks and I went 
for the whole treatment...I asked Henschen about the price of axles and 
they said they only sell to RV manufacturers, except for the rebuild, 
which they will do for individuals if the axle is shipped to them....or 
brought in by an RV shop...(scheduled rebuild).... I would think RV 
shops could buy replacement axles , but don't have any first hand 
knowledge...

I don't see how the axle would be overkill.. isn't the new Bambi on 
Henschen axles??

Getting the axle on straight when converting from conventional springs, 
and not winding up with a trailer that crabs down the road, or eats 
tires, would be my worry.....I saw a whole stack of axles at Airstream 
and there were a couple of different sizes ...some obviously more heavy 
duty than others... From talking to Henschen, I got the idea that the 
axle is used on more than Airstream.. a lot more production that 
Airstream would ever use...Incidentaly, the axles and frame are 
assembled upside down at Airstream.. then turned over to receive the 
body...

Good Luck in your efforts....

Jim