> Any advice those of you who have made the conversion to Dexter axles, I'd
> be most appreciative for your input...
Mitch,
One thing you should know about the Dexter axle is that it rides stiffer
than the Henschen. I know of several folks that given the price delta
between the Henschen and Dexter, that they would save the bucks and go with
Dexter only to find that the Dexter axles were shaking the pop rivets loose
on the underbelly and inside skins (the exterior skin is buck riveted and
does not seem to object to the Dexter). Yes, Airstream has gone with Dexter
axles in the past couple of years, but that is due to a dispute with
Henschen (money), not that the Dexter is a better axle. We (the A/S
community) have 45 years of experience (starting with 1962) with Henschen
and only a couple with Dexter. I would stay with Henschen, especially with a
vintage rig.
BY ALL MEANS, go with 12" brakes regardless of axle choice.
I would also recommend the 35 degree downward deflection as that raises the
A/S up a couple of inches and still gives good downward defection. If you
go with the 45 degree deflection, there is mainly upward deflection which
means that if the wheel hits a pothole, it will drop to its stops and the
trailer will lurch downward into the hole. There is only so much rotation
that the rubber torsion bar suspension can travel through. The original
22.5% was with the travel set in the middle (ie same upward and downward
travel possible). 35% provides more upward and 45% provides the most
upward, but the least downward. We routinely replace the original Henschen
axles (we do NOT replace with Dexter) with 10% higher capacity and 35 degree
downward deflection.
David Tidmore
GM Roger Williams Airstream
Weatherford, TX 76086
Pres Heart of Texas Camping Unit WBCCI # 7548