Replacing 13ft Scamp axle

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I have ordered a new axle to replace the tired Torflex axle on my 1987 13 ft scamp. Maybe will I do-it-myself with neighbors help and tools. I have been advised on the fire hazard and need for carefull alignment of the new axle.

What I need is the expertise of someone here who has done this job and is willing to give me aome hints as to proper tools and technique. For instance ..can I cut the old axle off with a SAWZALL or grinder? Is there a way to clamp the new axle to the frame while welding or must I just hold it in place with jacks? If someone can walk me thru this procedure I would appreciate it .

Thanks in advance.

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Hello,

I'm not familiar with the Scamp arrangement. But every trailer I have owned the axle is clamped to the springs. The springs have a bolt or stub that sets inside the axle to align it. If you are mounting the axle exactly like it is in the trailer (usually on top of the springs) you should be able to do it with a little work. If you reverse the axle to the bottom of the springs to gain height you have to reverse the axle side to side as some trailer axles have a built in toe-in. Check and see if the axle is held on by clamps. If so Soak them with penetrating oil a couple days in advance. Make sure the trailer is steady on blocks. REmove the tires, take a large breaker bar or impact wrench to remove the nuts on the clamps. disconnect any brake wiring , remove the hubs and lift the axle off the springs and slide it out to one side. Reverse everything to replace it. I actually had to do this in a campground in Edmonton Alberta in 1993 to remove the spring plates and have springs made so that we could continue on vacation. As far as tools it can be done with an average 1/2 socket set. The air wrench just makes it easier. If you can't get the nuts off, some people cut the clamps, but then you have to replace them also. I have never had to cut the clamps. OF COURSE if the Scamp axle is welded or put on different you need some advice from a Scamp owner.

Go for it, Please post an outcome I'm interested if your axle is really welded on.

Randy

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Thanks for the interest but my Scamp axle is a welded on TORFLEX axle which has no springs as on a conventional axle setup.

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I did not know they were welded on....I wouldn't even attempt it, take it to a professional. I have one question though-----if the axle is welded to the frame, do these trailers have any springs???

Randy

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Orginally posted by Randy L.

I did not know they were welded on....I wouldn't even attempt it, take it to a professional. I have one question though-----if the axle is welded to the frame, do these trailers have any springs???

Randy

<img src=http://www.mobilexhibit.com/manual/figure4.gif/>
The DURA-FLEX rubber torsion suspension system is a torsion arm type suspension which is completely self contained within the axle tube. It attaches directly to the trailer frame using brackets which are an integral part of the axle assembly.

The wheel/hub spindle is attached to a lever, called the torsion arm, which is fastened to the rubber encased bar. As load is applied, the bar rotates causing a rolling/compressive resistance in the rubber cords. This action provides the same functions as conventional sprung axles with several operating advantages including independent suspension.

Maintenance
Except for periodic inspection of the fasteners used to attach the DURA-FLEX axle to the vehicle frame, no other suspension maintenance is required on DURA-FLEX axles.




Everything you wanted to know about torsion axle suspensions...and more [b]Here

The benefits of the torsion suspension over conventional leaf/coil on solid axle suspension systems are they offer a lot more ground clearance, cost substantially less and are extremely light.

I'm not sure if the Scamps are the same as the Bolers (pretty sure they are identical) ...here's a link to a few pic's of Hans' Boler when he added some lift blocks to raise his Boler to run full size (15 inch) Jeep wheels/tires

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php...?TID=695&page=2

I think you need to cut off the old one (if no mounting hardware is present) with a sawzall, angle grinder ...or better yet a plasma cutter, and weld the new one on. I've heard that is a relatively simple job that any welding shop can tackle in a couple hours if you dont feel up to it.

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Wow, thats quite an arrangement, kinda took the VW torsion Idea a different avenue. I would have never quessed this would be on a trailer.

Randy

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Hey Mike.

I think you have it right and have provided me a bunch of good info.

I will block the trailer up and cut off the axle with a sawzall.
Then I will clamp the new axle in place and call out the local mobile welder (welder on a truck) to weld it on.

Your ability to handle this site with inclusions and links is remarkable.

Thanks

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Actually Randy, if you took a poll, you'de probably find most of the fiberglass trailers on this site have some type of Torsion axle. Casitas' Bolers, Scamps'...etc. Like I said, the lightest components available were designed into our mini-eggs so they would be easier to pull ;) I'm pretty sure the axle in our 32 year old boler is still original.

..sorry for hi-jacking your thread Richard, I'm kind of a travel trailer newbie, but have lots of 4x4 axle experience and I'm just really impressed with how well these little torsion axles work. Hope you get it figured out. Getting the alignment as close as possible will be key to getting proper tracking and tire wear.

I am a bit of a bulletin board junkie and logged many hours writing Jeep website and bulletin board code, played with html,java script and have even produced Flash animation and multimedia for a while...just as a hobbie. (clicking the trailer in my signature opens my Boler website, Clicking on the Jeep opens my Jeep website)

Adding pictures and links is nothing special, and using search functions can help a person find just about anything they need info on. Man if it was Jeep related I could probably dig up an entire write up complete with pictures diagrams and step by step instructions for you.

Glad I could help a little.

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We recently replaced our 2000# original Trillium welded on 4500 Axle with a 3500# version, which we purchased from an axle specialist who did not install. We wanted bolt ons, and he sold them to us. When we looked at the bolt ons and the axle it was clear that there was no way to install it easily.

We took the whole setup to the trailer people down the street and they came to the same conclusion we had...there was no way to install the new axle with the bolt ons. We decided to let the trailer people cut out the old axle and modify the bracketry on the new axle to make it fit.

Our advice to people changing axles is this: buy your axle from a dealer who will install it.

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Bonnie...

Hey, we are Trillium neighbors! I am curious who did the work (mine is fine but just in case). Also what went wrong with your axle or was it just to increase capability?

(Has anyone ever put a Southland Egg-o-Rama together?)

Jeff

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Mike

you can see that I have "egg" on my face. We have actually had full sized and tent trailers. We were tempted to go the fifth wheel route but I have always wanted a fiberglass trailer. We found our Fiber Stream the first time out of the stall to look at trailers. I then found this site trying to find info about fiber stream which I still haven't. We have not made a camp out yet and will probably go to Oregon in Oct. Since the Lake Casitas thing is full. I will be interested to come to the first event and eye these things closer. Our FS has conventional tandem axles, I have changed the 4.80x12 tires to 155 x 12 radials to gain height and width as well as looks, and a better ride and wear. I have had VW's for 30 years and never would have thought of torsion arms on a trailer. Thanks for setting this old conventional guy straight

Randy<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3f442b4bb4abctrailer 3.jpg/>

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Randy, coool tt!! If you and the wife are interested in coming back to Oregon July 16-18..you'll have an opportunity to see all kinds of fiberglass trailers. See this thread from Nancy Wolf for more info:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php...32&page=1#32819

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Donna

thanks I had already read the Bullards Bar event and at this time we are planning on coming. Our vacation schedule will be out in December. Thanks for flowers and jumping in to point it out. I can't remember what type of hook ups are there, I'm going to have to look it up. We have camped there on a couple of occasions

Randy