Ordering my Dexter Torflex axle

As promised here is a copy of my ProSpec from an engineer at Dexter. These aren't the exact specs I ordered but it gave me what I needed to know. The outside bracket dimension is self explanatory, hub face dimension will add length to your axle between the inside of the arms and the outside of the bracket (this where you figure in extra clearance for side walls, etc), and there are a bunch of other good dimensions on there like if you give the engineer your chosen tire and wheel size they will enter it to show the specs, which I figure is an estimate. I went with a short spindle, added .125" of extra clearance on each side, and will be keeping my overall trailer width just under 80" at the fenders.

Here is what I provided my vendor when ordering:

    Torflex #9
    Electric brakes
    EZ lube hub
    1/2" studs
    Capacity: 1500 lbs
    Bolt pattern: 5 on 4.5
    Hub face: 70.25"
    Outside bracket: 58"
    Low profile top mount brackets (STANDARD ORIENTATION)
    Spindle: Short
    Torflex start angle: 0 degrees
    195/65R15 tire on 15x6 wheel (with zero offset)

The only other confusing thing is the short or standard spindle. This does NOT change either the hub face or bracket dimensions, it changes the length between the inside of the arms. I know, I know, but this is not apparent because when you ask for the specs they automatically add more material between the inside of the arm and the outside of the bracket (I hope I'm explaining this right). The only way I figured it out was I got a ProSpec for the same axle dimensions, one with a standard spindle and one with a short spindle. The only difference on the two ProSpecs were the "inside of arms" dimension that changed from 59" to 60". Everything else was the same. When you look at the Torflex Application Information pdf, the "#9 overhang per side" minimums given for each of the two spindles are the actual dimensions from the hubface to inside of arm for one side of the axle. Confusing huh? You basically double it, 6.5" x 2 = 13" for the standard spindle (or 12" for short) and add this to the outside bracket dimensions to get the shortest possible hubface dimension. Dexter leaves .25" of minimum clearance between the inside of the arm and the bracket (there is another thread with a hand drawing to show this, but it has an error in the minimum clearance), but you can add to your hubface dimension to increase the clearance up to 10.9" per side. Again this was confusing because the engineer didn't decrease the hubface dimension when switching to the short spindle, he kept the hubface dimension the same which added .5" of extra clearance on each side between the inside of the arm and the bracket. Other than noticing the one change on the ProSpec, it would be easy to miss and is still confusing to wrap your brain around.

There is no price difference for the two spindles, but there is an extra price for the high profile bracket.

Here are all 5 pages of a Dexter ProSpec (I included the last two pages just to show the complete write up you will receive, although maybe I got page 4 because no matter how many times I told the engineer I wanted top mount, he kept it as side mount):

New 2016 Teardrop build, Family Sized

With the purchase of some initial parts our newest build is officially underway. I have been drawing plans and sourcing materials for a few months now. That part still isn't totally finished but I have the frame, body and interior pretty much planned out. It has to sleep four but overall the interior will be pretty basic. I've ordered my axle from a local heavy equipment supplier, Frey Heavy Duty , who had the best price even over directly ordering from Dexter. I'm just waiting for it to arrive with their next supply order so I don't have to pay shipping. I went with a zero degree start angle, rated for 1500lbs, electric brakes, 15" aluminum rims, zero offset and 195/65/r15 passenger tires. I already have the wheels and tires which I ordered from Discount Tire Direct. I saw no need for trailer tires when it will probably only weight 1200 lbs loaded.

In regards to ordering the Torflex axle, the whole process was seriously over complicated. Calling Dexter and/or talking with local distributors wasn't very helpful. Only after getting in touch with a Dexter engineer and having him send me 4 different "ProSpec" sheets did I finally figure it out and get my measurements down. Everyone else I spoke with really could only handle measuring replacement axles. I planned the total width to be approximately 79.5" inches because at over 80" federal requirements require extra lights on the fenders and three lights on the top rear (NHTSA). When I get to the electrical part I'll do a separate write up. The simplest way to determine the axle start angle (although I don't have my axle yet) seems to be to take the radius of your chosen wheel and add the unloaded 'H' dimension from the Dexter Application Information PDF. That should give your approximate frame height. From the examples on the TNTTT board it appears these axles don't compress much, so just go with the unloaded height. That method also matched the ProSpec calculations almost dead on. I'll attach a copy of my ProSpec later too so people can see it. Its invaluable for choosing the axle dimensions and figuring out how the short or standard spindle change the width or if your sidewall overhangs the frame.

I've also ordered two mill finish baggage doors and a 24"x48" entry door from Geistwerks who was kind enough to order my parts and ship them directly to my house. The owner is Micheal Geister and was great to work with and supplied all the needed little details.

This will also be my first time building a trailer from scratch instead of using a kit and modifying it. I have a basic flux core 120V wire feed welder and even with a better welder I could weld it pretty well, but I'll be bolting it together too just for added security. I designed the trailer from mainly 2" angle for just that reason. The side walls once attached should give it more than enough strength and a mix of 1/8" and 3/16" angle should be more than adequate. A 3" x 3" x 1/8" tube and 1/8" angle composite tongue should be adequate according to the Tongue Strength spreadsheet in the design library on TNTTT. I've also never used a trailer with brakes before so that should be interesting. I wouldn't have bothered with brakes but our tow vehicle has really weak brakes.

My wife started this blog in grad school (required for some class she was taking) and if I remember to actually take some photos while I'm working I'll post the progress. Hopefully we'll have it finished by sometime in June.

-Lucas

Frame 58" x 132"

Rough side profile in Sketup

Polished aluminum wheels and passenger tires

Our 2009 adventures begin!

We will be taking out the camper for the first time this season tomorrow! Yay! We are going to stay somewhere around Morrisville, NY so Lucas can check out a college there. Lucas is building two more teardrop trailers that will be for sale. We're not sure about price yet but they will be very cute...the shape will be much more streamlined than ours (although I think ours is pretty cute!). Contact me if you are interested in purchasing one, they will probably be ready mid-june.

Teardrop Road Trip

This summer my husband and I built a teardrop trailer from scratch...I'll admit he did most of the work, but I still played an integral part in much of the design. We used a 4 x 8 trailer to build a 5 x 8 camper that has a bed inside which folds into a couch and some shelving for storage. The back has a hatch which opens for more storage...this is where we keep our propane stove, cooler, food...etc. The inside has a roof vent and LED lighting. It took us the better part of the summer to finish it but we managed to take it on its first road trip at the end of August. For two weeks we went where we pleased which included the Delaware and Maryland beaches and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We received a ton of compliments and met a lot of people. Hopefully we'll get to use it once more before the snow gets here.