I don't know about the larger trailers, but there was very little wheel
clearance with my old axle in the '61 Bambi. By eliminating the shocks,
(which Dexter doesn't use) we were able to center the wheels in the wheel
wells and improve the clearance. It went from about 1" between the tire side
wall and the outer skin to 2.5". It will sure make it easier changing the
tires.
Also, you can increase the ride height by .75" by using the Dexter high
profile mounting bracket rather than the low profile bracket. My Bambi is
riding great with the #10 3500 lbs. Dexter, and the Dexter has a grease
fitting to change the grease.
I believe with the 15" hubs you can get never lubs bearings which might be
nice.
Jim
'61 Bambi
> Folks,
> I'm gearing up to change the original axles on my 1964 Airstream
> Ambassador
> International and I'm looking for information as to what specifications
> folks who have done this conversion have used to order replacement axles
> from Dexter. My understanding is that 3500 lb capacity axles with 22.5
> degree down angle of the arm is what should be used.
>
> As I tow with a Ford F350 4x4 Diesel truck (high off the road with a ball
> height of 20 inches), would the switch to 45 degree down angle to gain a
> couple of inches of added road clearance be acceptable?
>
> What about brakes? I plan to stick with electric brakes (My truck is
> rigged
> with a Reese electric brake controller) and according to the information I
> have from Dexter, they use 10" brakes instead of 12" as on the original
> axles, is there any cautions about this I need to know? Conversations
> with
> Dexter in the past have revealed the option of using 4,000 lb axles which
> have the 12" brakes is a possibility.
>
> Any advice those of you who have made the conversion to Dexter axles, I'd
> be most appreciative for your input...
>