[VAL] Re: VAL Wheels....

["Uwe Salwender" <salwender@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Warren,

It might be a good idea to determine if your split rims are indeed  
positive offset wheels.
In order to do so, you might want to remove one of the wheels and  
take a look. A zero offset wheel will have the wheel mounting flange  
pretty much i the center of the rim, meaning that the distance from  
the outside to the center, and from the inside to the center should  
be the same. ( or very very close)
You can buy American Racing OutlawII wheels, where you can specify  
the offset. But I found it easier to use standard wheels, and adjust  
axle measurement, since I desperately needed new axles anyways.
My Overlander project is documented at www.airstreamforums.com, the  
thread is called "a 63 for me", in case you want to see some pictures  
of the axle install. 
http://www.airstreamforums.com/forums/f142/63-me-many-good-ideas-your-new-you-trailer-11687-21.html
 

I chose Dexter disc brake axles over electric drum brakes for their  
braking power, safety and inherently better rotational balance. I can  
now simply balance my tire/wheel assembly and have a well balanced  
rotational mass. My previous trailer, with brand new Henschen axles  
and brakes, had a terrible imbalance due to the trailer drums  being  
unbalanced, and not just a little bit. 3 of the 4 drums were so bad,  
that they would immediately drop to rest with the heavy spot on the  
bottom when spun by hand with the wheel off. Like a clock pendulum,  
sort of.
I found it difficult to maintain a good wheel balance with these  
drums. InlandRV had balanced my drum/wheel assembly once, but then  
you can not rotate tires, or easily do maintenance work, as the  
wheels will have to go back on lug to lug, and in the same position.
Disc size is 12", ventilated, with 4-piston non-floating calipers.  
Real brakes, folks! The discs are activated by an electro-hydraulic  
actuator, which in turn is controlled by a conventional brake  
controller in the tow vehicle.
I am very pleased with the disc brake system. The stopping power, and  
the way the brakes come on is very nice, much more powerful and  
linear than electric brakes, without any signs of fade on long descents.
Let me know if you have more questions.
Uwe Salwender
Portola Hills, CA