Any opinions on Dexter axles?

[johnbo]

Hi,

I'm about to replace the axle on my single axle trailer (blue'd spindles from the previous owner). I'll be adding brakes as well at the same time.

After all of the recommendations on this board, I've looked pretty hard at Champion Trailers. Unfortunately, their packages totals out to be a bit under $600 including shipping.

Checking a couple of local shops, I can get a complete Dexter 3500# axle with brakes for about $300 delivered.

I've heard of Dexter quite a bit around here, they seem to be the defaults around here. They also seem to have the same EZ-Lube spindles as well.

Any opinions on Dexter axles?

Later,

johnbo

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

They are a fine quality axle. Make sure the brakes you get are free backing and have galvanized backing plates.

Sounds like you are getting an excellent deal. This include the drums?

I replaced an axle recently and found that Champion was more money than going straight to the manufacturer of my trailer and ordering through them. They don't make their own axles and have one supplier that makes their axles. I paid around $135-$170(don't remember exact price) for my axle with no brakes but with a brake flange.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

Ayuh,.......

Dexter Is in fact a Quality Manufacturer of Axles........

I've got them running on Everything from single axle 1500lb. trailers to tandem axle 20 ton Equipment trailers.......

 

[johnbo]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

The $300 price included the drums as well.

I've decided to go for electric brakes instead of the hydraulic units, because I'll never be in salt water (boat is too small for the ocean) and my truck is already setup for electric brakes.

Apparently, the only extra bit is that I need to weld on the spring perchs. I've got a small Lincoln wire feed unit. Hopefully, this will be enough to tackle this.

Thanks,

johnbo

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

If the axle you buy is cambered, make sure the arch is up before welding on the spring perches.

 

[johnbo]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

When the axle is chambered, is this a subtle thing, or is that an axle that has a distinct bend?

The axle that I'm looking at is a straight tube. Decided to skip on the 4" drop axle, because my existing axle is somewhat smaller than that, and the boat sitting an inch or two higher on the trailer would be OK, the outdrive might not hit the ground which would be good.

Thanks,

johnbo

 

[Lou C]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

Man that's a good price...is that a galavanized axle?
because 3 years ago I paid about 130 for a galvanized 3500 lb axle, with brake flanges, and 400 for the brake kit (including backing plates, drums, actuator and stainless lines) from Champion. I know their prices for axles have gone up because of the price of steel going up. Brake prices are about the same.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

Cambered axles have a distinct upward bend in the middle. You can use a long straight edge to detect it. Normally the spec sheet will tell you if it's cambered or not. Axles are cambered so that when the trailer is loaded the wheels tend to sit perfectly vertical or just slightly towed inward at the bottom. Straight axles when loaded would tend to have the wheels tilted inward at the top. All of this is due to the flex in the axle regardless what its made of. If the axle has brake flanges, set the axle on the floor and measure from the floor to the bottom of the axle at the exact center. Then rotate the axle half way around an measure again. The widest dimension is the proper orientation (bend is upward).

 

[johnbo]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

LouC: I'm not sure if the axle is galvanized or not. As I'm not in salt water, I'm not so worried about this. I was also impressed by the price. Checking another shop about 8 miles down the road, gave me a price about $90 higher out of the same catalog.

Champion was going to be about twice the price. When the guy at the store gave me the price, I kept double checking his price because it was so low. But, when I ordered them, the owner of the shop didn't seem to blink at the price his assistant had given me the previous weekend.

The shop that I ordered from (on Saturday) said that they can get a 1 day turn from their distributor. Rather amazing.

Silvertip: Thanks for the background info. I'll keep an eye open for this. Makes complete sense.

Later,

johnbo

 

[johnbo]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

Just an update. I got a call at noon that my axle was ready. Not bad turn around.

In the end, I paid $275 for a straight (with a visible camber) 3500# axle with electric brakes, bearings, seals, etc. Also this included the EZ-lube spindles. This is a painted axle, not galvanized.

It looks like I'll have a wee bit of a challenge dealing with the transition from the rectangluar axle to the new round one. I'll save that for another topic.

Additionally, it looks like I'm going to need to find someone that can do the welding (the spring perches) for me. My little Lincoln wire feed just isn't going to be able to tackle the thickness of the steel. It is straining at about 3/16's and this is 1/4" or better. Of course, I could use this as an excuse to buy a better welder, but I don't often need one that big.

Later,

johnbo

 

[Lou C]

Re: Any opinions on Dexter axles?

I had considered going with a stock round axle but in since I can't weld I went with the ready to bold on galvanized straight square cross section from Champion, it had the little nubs for locating the axle to the springs already there, so it was all plug n play. And price wise, just considering the axle (130) and the cost of the brake units alone without the lines and actuator (galvanized backing plates and zinc plated drums) is stil priced out to about about 360 or so. But here (salt water) galvanized is a must, as are the zinc drums and galvanized brakes.