Dexter Torsion Axle change-out/install

Dexter Axle is the BEST Customer Service

So I have not posted in while. I have been payin down debt and getting my finances in line with my goals. It did not help that I had a useless axle that I installed a while back. the problem was that it did not provide the ground clearance that I explained I wanted. Upon more research, I realized that it was completely not what I wanted. I will spare everyone the details....but basically I had zero degrees on my torsion arm and a low profile bracket, giving me 4 inches from the ground to the bottom of my grey water tank pan. I was thinking that I was going to have a finger pointed back at me, especially since I ordered it. It would be so easy to say that it was my fault. So I called Dexter Axle and spoke with Connie who listened to my comlaint, she put me in touch with Christine who is the enineer person and then Rick called me back to solve the problem. I simply figured that I would change my order completely and would need to go with leaf springs to raise the trailer. I was dreading the install of leaf springs with all the arts, the welding, more $$$$$ that I had not budgeted for. So Rick ran, Prospec, which takes all of my details and goals and puts it into the Dexter Axle system and let me know if my goals are realistic and what it would take to reach them. Rick talked me back into the torsion axle. I wanted to have enough clearance in order to possibly cross a creek or go onto the beach or to basically take this trailer to places that thers won't be able to. I wanted around 16 inches from the bottom of my grey tank pan to the ground when fully loaded. My brakes and drums were OK, so Rick simply changed my spindle to have a 45 degree angle down torsion arm coupled with a high profile, 3 inch tall brackets. Rick took my Monday and turned it completely around and not only allowed my goal to be reached, but also my budget. he would send me the spindle at no charge and expedite the order UPS directly to my house.

So this all took place on Monday. I checked with Connie on Thursday and she mentioned it should be here in Atlanta by the following Monday. So.....today is Saturday, I woke up at 5am, got some coffee at 6 am, and left to bein my day at home Depot at 7am. Before I could get out of my driveway, the sun was coming up and I saw something on my front stairs. It was the axle!!!!! I had planned on prepping the interior walls for the painting of Zolatone (Apollo grey) as well as install wheel well covers and also prepare for the axle to arrive. So plans changed quickly and I got into installation mode. I had only looked at the instructions the night before, so at the very least I would et the trailer jacked up, tires and old un-useable axle off. At 7:30 I started, by 8am I had the wheels off and one hub and brake off. By 8:30 I was done with hubs and brakes and the axle was completely off by 9:30. I was surprising myself. By 10am the new axle was in place under the trailer and I began t drill the holes. By 11am the brakes and hubs were on the new axle and by 11:30 the axle install and change-out was completed!!!!!! What a day it has been.

None of this would have taken place had it not been for Connie, Chrstine and Rick at Dexter Axle. Their product was mis-represented by a local company who made a mistake. Dexter stepped in and corrected it without pointing the finger at me. They made it right and have gained a customer for life. It is customer service like this that sets a company apart, an American company. During times like we are facing right now, that says alot, and I hope everyone that reads this remembers this situation I had when they order an axle for their airstream.

THANK YOU DEXTER AXLE.
The pictures of the install are next post

Where I am now

So, I am now at a point where I am sealing all seams with Trempro, riveting the interior skins back together, patching old outlet holes that I am not using, installed a radio antenna, and looking for leaks. I added these great LED lights that are above the front and back windows that I would recommend. I will post pictures of them. I spent this past weekend just finishing the interior walls. I enjoyed it when it was 35 degrees outside and I had my heater and light inside the trailer working at night and it was warm. It was the first time I actually felt like I was oing to stay dry. the best part is that it rained hard and I did not see any leaks.

My Uncle is coming down at the end of February from Ohio and he and I are going to buld out all of the cabinets and pull-out sleepping/couches or gauchos. I am thinking that it would be best to stick with the original design. We'll see. I am thinking that my next trailer remodel will be something that is more unique in terms of interior design.

For now, I just have to stay on budget and keep the project moving forward. I will post more pictures soon.

Good to be back.

Insulation and interior skins

Here are the begining stages of the insulation. I put pink board covered with 2 layers of reflectix.

Update continued

Back again for posting of pictures. So, after I replaced the compartment doors and all the lights on the outside, it was time to wire and insulate. I had to study the wire diagram as well as build a temporary stand for the distribution panel. I also installed a 30 amp RV plug on the side of my house so that I would be able to check the wiring as I wired.

Here are some pics. I also have a converter mounted so as to check any 12 volt items. I might add that I have chosen to keep the original fan since it works fine. I know it does not move as much air as a fantastic fan, but it works and I am going to keep it installed until it dies. Once I had a wiring plan put together, I went ahead and ran the wires to the three junction boxes (2 street-side and 1 curbside, all behind where the upper cabinets are installed).

Once all of the wires were run, I started insulating. This was fun because it was starting to look like it was coming together. Oh, and the AC works. It was kind of intimidating and time consuming to put the end caps back in. That is really what kept me from moving forward for a while. I was intimidated by those big ass end caps. Rosemary and I did it and it only took about 10 minutes each.

I'm back at it

OK, so I have been busy as ever, I just have not posted to the blog or Air forums. I apologize. Since the last time I wrote, I have replaced the axle, re-wired the whole trailer, re-insulated, installed the interior skins, installed new running lights above the front and back windows, re-installed the door, added a piece of plexi glass to kitchen window, and plexi glass to front window.

Truth be known, business has been slow and I ahve had to really focus on keeping my business alive so that the Airstream will not become a permanent home.

So....here is where I left off. I insulated all of the compartment doors and replace the tear drop lights with new ones. Seeing the doors back in place was nice, it kind of made everything whole again. I re-installed the water inlet and furnace vent as well.