Need a new axle?

[Rarebird]

With all these discussions regarding axle problems/replacements, etc. I'm starting to worry. My old(er) Scamp (1976 13') seems OK, but how do I avoid problems? What do I need to know?
Obviously, I am not a mechanic.

Marjie

[Daniel V.]

With all these discussions regarding axle problems/replacements, etc. I'm starting to worry. My old(er) Scamp (1976 13') seems OK, but how do I avoid problems? What do I need to know?
Obviously, I am not a mechanic.

Marjie

I was in the same boat as you about a year ago, and am not a mechanic either. Others with actual expertise on this will surely chime-in. Meanwhile, here are some clues that you may need to replace your axle:
- it doesn't have brakes and want to add them
- trailer sits too low or crooked
- tires wear unevenly: if you crouch a few yards behind your trailer and look underneath, you may find that your wheels are no longer near being parallel, vertically speaking.
Mine were like this: / \

You should be able to get a professional opinion from any trailer shop. Also, it is probably a good idea to have the rest of the frame checked up for cracks or potential trouble areas every few years.

[Pete Dumbleton]

Look at the arm linking the wheel to the axle. Both sides should be the same angle and that angle, when new, is 22.5* down (wheel at low end).

If uneven, or level, or up, rubber in axle is shot and axle needs replacement.

Another test is to have someone walk around inside while you stand outside and watch. If wheels move up and down, likely the axle's rubber is OK, but if the only movement is the tires flexing, the axle's rubber is likely shot.