Thread for advice on Fiberglass trails I am looking to buy

[Luxus Panzer]

Hi all.

I looked at a real nice Scamp 13 the other day and passed on it due to the axles. This may have been an error on my behalf a pointed out out to me in this post..

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ber-82040.html

In my continuing search I have come across a "13' 1975 Fiberglass Boler and am wondering what the experts here think of these axles..

1975 Fiberglass Boler Travel Trailer1 by Z R, on Flickr

1975 Fiberglass Boler Travel Trailer by Z R, on Flickr

Thanks all.

[Jon in AZ]

Try the same tests I described in the other thread: wheel well clearance and arm movement.

There's a fair chance the axle on a vintage unit has already been replaced. If so, you might be able to find a sticker on it that will tell you more.

More important than the axle are (1) shell condition, especially door fit, (2) floor condition- solid, no rot, and (3) the frame itself, no cracks or excessive rust.

[Luxus Panzer]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Try the same tests I described in the other thread: wheel well clearance and arm movement.

There's a fair chance the axle on a vintage unit has already been replaced. If so, you might be able to find a sticker on it that will tell you more.

More important than the axle are (1) shell condition, especially door fit, (2) floor condition- solid, no rot, and (3) the frame itself, no cracks or excessive rust.

Thanks,

Here is John in AZ's sound advice from the other thread. (in case people come across this thread in future searches.)

"On an older trailer there are a few things you can check to verify axle condition. (1) Check clearance in the wheel well. There should be at least a fist clearance between the top of the tire and the fiberglass when the trailer is resting on the wheels. (2) Check for axle arm movement. Raise the trailer by jacking on the frame just behind the axle. The wheel should drop down several inches as the trailer rises. Little or no movement means the rubber inside is hardened and the axle is shot. (3) Check for unusual tire wear, which could mean the axle is worn out or bent."

[Jon in AZ]

On closer inspection of your pictures, it looks like the axle might be bolted on. If so, that certainly means it is a replacement, since the original was welded on.

That would be a good thing, since the original axle was underrated (1200#?) for the application. Replacements are typically built for 1800-2200#.

No brake flange that I can see.

[Luxus Panzer]

thank you for the quick and helpful reply.

The pics above are from a boler that is FAR from me.

I will be going to inspect a boler that is in my town tonight and post some pics when I return.


So what angle should the axles be on a 1972 Boler?
Still a fist space between wheel and floor/frame when in weight in trailer?
Was the original axle welded on a 1972 as well, so if it is bolted on it is a replacement?


THANKS EVERYONE!!

[thrifty bill]

When looking at 45 year old trailers, I would just assume axle will need replacement and budget for it. If you get lucky, the current owner already replaced the axle. But I would not count on it. Even a replacement can be worn out, depending when it was replaced. 45 years is a long time. Others report 15 to 20 year life on these axles.

[Luxus Panzer]

Originally Posted by thrifty bill

When looking at 45 year old trailers, I would just assume axle will need replacement and budget for it. If you get lucky, the current owner already replaced the axle. But I would not count on it. Even a replacement can be worn out, depending when it was replaced. 45 years is a long time. Others report 15 to 20 year life on these axles.

Add says it is a new axle. Is there any way to identify the year of the axle by looking at it?

[vintageracer]

Check the frame for cracks and broken welds. Also look at the "Elevator Bolts" from the bottom.

[Luxus Panzer]

Originally Posted by vintageracer

Check the frame for cracks and broken welds. Also look at the "Elevator Bolts" from the bottom.

What are these "Elevator Bolts" ??

[Luxus Panzer]

Well that was a strange boler i just looked at..

Frame was AWESOME. Total rebuild. Reinforced everything, new axle, new tires.

The RV itself tho...woah. Smelt like a thousand mice had piss and poo'd in it for 10 years. NO WAY it was passing the wife test.

The search continues.

[Luxus Panzer]

I will hopefully be looking at a 2011 scamp this weekend.

As for the axles, what is the approximate degrees upward the torsion axle to wheel bar should be at?

Is this approximate angle loaded or unloaded?

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Luxus Panzer

I will hopefully be looking at a 2011 scamp this weekend.

As for the axles, what is the approximate degrees upward the torsion axle to wheel bar should be at?

Is this approximate angle loaded or unloaded?

I really think you're over-concerned about the axles on newer trailers. A 2011 has lots of life left. Check to see if it has brakes. If not it should have the mounting flange so you can add them.

To answer your question, rough guess, about 20 degrees upward sitting on the ground unloaded.

With a trailer that new, I would be most concerned that all the appliances and mechanical systems work. Check everything. If it has a 3-way fridge, they take a long time to cool down, so I would ask the seller to turn it on several hours in advance of your inspection. Ideally you will connect to water and check plumbing. Wouldn't hurt to look inside benches and cabinets for any signs of water infiltration on the floor. Shouldn't be any, but you want to be sure.

[floyd]

The normal torsion axle on a 13 is 22 degrees up when new.
Initial set will increase that angle a couple of degrees in the first 500 miles or so.
After that... slow wear over decades.

Shaking your fist at the axle may feel satisfying but it is not a legitimate test.
As the axle wears, negative camber increases, tow out will increase a bit as well. Tire wear on the inside edge of the tire will increase over time, but it is not a problem until there is sufficient wear difference across the face of the tire to warrant replacement too soon.

That can be judged by time as many people do... Say if the inside edge has less than 3/32nd tread in less that three or four years of use. and tread depth increases significantly across the tread.
Or by wear.... which would mean an unacceptable difference across the tread over the service life of the tire.

[Luxus Panzer]

thanks for the good info everyone.