1989 Casita Axle Replacement - Fiberglass RV
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Old 06-25-2020, 09:48 AM   #1
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Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16
Nevada
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1989 Casita Axle Replacement

I have a 1989 Casita 16 and am wanting to change the axle to the "high rise" style to get the camper up in the air for clearance, tank draining etc. What I am learning is that when my unit was manufactured they installed the axle backwards with the trailing arms facing forward and not rearward as seems logical. The trailer shop says the way the frame is made one cannot simply flip the axle around so it faces the right way. I'm wondering if anyone has faced this problem before and if a conventional axle with leaf springs, as used in most other travel trailers, could be used. Thanks in advance for your input.
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Old 06-25-2020, 11:00 AM   #2
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Name: bill
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Flipping a 31 year old axle makes no sense to me. Axle manufacturers list usable life to be 15 years. which is probably conservative (can last longer). But you are already double that amount.


I am not buying this assumption: "a conventional axle with leaf springs, as used in most other travel trailer" Many, RV trailers use torsion axles. It is not limited to molded FG. For example, Airstreams use torsion axles.
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Old 06-26-2020, 06:42 AM   #3
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I have a conventional axle on my 81 Trillium 5500, it seems to work well, it was there when I bought it, Just a word of caution, make sure your frame will support the stress difference because of changing the load points

Joe
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Old 07-06-2020, 07:15 PM   #4
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I am curious to learn how your axle project turns out. We have a '93 16 foot FD that is overdue for the same procedure. If it weren't for the fact the old axle was welded in place I would do the replacement myself. Welding is one area I am not proficient in.
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Old 07-07-2020, 02:29 PM   #5
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I have seen the forward axle/wheel setup B 4 and just cant understand the reason for it.
Seams to me that when the wheel hits a pothole it would put undo stress on things.
if you find an OLD Welder that has been in business for decades they may be able to work some things out for you. Also: Do not weld a new one on, BOLT it on so it will be easy to replace as needed.
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Old 08-12-2020, 10:17 AM   #6
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Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16
Nevada
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My new axle is installed and very happy with results

I have gotten my axle replaced with a new, trailing arm, Dexter 3500# and found a great place in Ft. Collins, CO who did the work along with several other mods including 4 new stabilizer jacks and 2 inch rear tow bar for bike rack and spare tire mount and other misc items. Last photo shows new installed axle with original 13 inch wheels and I will be going with 15 inch wheels. 10 degree down axle raised trailer about 3 inches and 15 inch tires should give me another 1.5 to 2 inches. Kirk and his crew did a wonderful job as you can see by the attached photos. I can recommend them very highly if you need work on your Casita and are located in the front range area of Colorado. Please contact Kirk below if you want to get excellent work and be treated properly at a fair price.



Kirk Marghiem

Service Manager

Maxey Truck Fitting/ Division of MGS Incorporated

2200 East Lincoln Avenue

Fort Collins, CO 80524

970-493-7510 Ext. 132

970-530-0116 Fax

970-449-8901 Direct
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Old 08-12-2020, 10:30 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kukaepe View Post
Last photo shows new installed axle with original 13 inch wheels and I will be going with 15 inch wheels. . . Kirk and his crew did a wonderful job as you can see by the attached photos.
I can't see any "attached photos".

Enjoy,

Perry
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Old 08-12-2020, 11:12 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kukaepe View Post
Sorry, tried several times with no luck to add photos
After you click on the paperclip icon a window pops up to "Choose File".

After you choose up to four photos, you have to mash on the little "Upload" button to the right.
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Old 08-12-2020, 11:38 AM   #9
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Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16
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Fixed post

Scroll up, I got photos to attach, thanks for the coaching Civilguy... I am a retired civil engineer, you would think I would know better to expand the window and push the upload button huh!
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Old 08-12-2020, 02:10 PM   #10
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Name: Rodney
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Indiana
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So I am curious to learn what the cost of the axle replacement was, a rough estimate will do. Thanks
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Old 08-12-2020, 02:17 PM   #11
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Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16
Nevada
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Rodcop 9405 - I had quite a bit of other work done but the axle alone was about $1000 for parts and labor. I hope that helps. Mine was perhaps a bit complex as it was originally a forward pointing arm and the new axle is a rear pointing trailing arm. Mods had to be made to the frame to accept the new axle which is now a bolt on replacement if that time ever comes.
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Old 08-12-2020, 02:30 PM   #12
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Name: Rodney
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Yes, that is helpful. Mine is not as old and the arm is rear-facing. Mine has a different frame configuration, no bent areas in the frame. It is welded in place and will require some additional labor to remove/replace. Thank you!
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