13 Scamp Axle Replacement Story

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ELongest
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Bolt pattern

When ordering a Dexter Torflex #9 you have an option for lug pattern. In 2006 I bought a #9 with 4x4 pattern and I'm sure they are still available. You can also order a bare #9 and reuse your old spindles and bearings which is a lot cheaper.

Eddie

I checked my Redneck catalog (2yo) and they show a 4X4 pattern is available for a #9 Torflex.  

ManWithaVan
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4 Bolt Wheels vs 5 Bolt Wheels

When you are replacing the Axle it is a good time to evaluate the advantages of moving up to a 5 bolt hub pattern vs a 4 bolt pattern.

Outside of the obvious advantage of having an extra bolt holding the tires onto your Scamp, there is the advantage of 5 bolt wheels being more readily available. If you wanted to upgrade to an aluminum wheel or a more decorative wheel in the future the 5 bolt pattern allows you more options to choose from. 

Currently, assuming your tires are in good condition, all you would need to do is get a pair of 5 bolt rims and have your tires mounted on them (Amazon sells 13" rims for $25 each). Additionally, you can buy new tires already mounted to new rims and get them shipped right to your door (Google: 13" wheels 5 bolt ) this is a very economical way to buy trailer tires.

If you choose to stay with the 4 bolt hub, Dexter still makes the axle with a 4 bolt hub option (I verified at Redneck-trailer.com). Apparently, your technician did not read the fine print in the Dexter catalog (or he went from memory).

One last thought, new Scamps are being shipped with the 5 bolt axle hubs.

Personally, I would upgrade to the 5 bolt hub (with electric brakes) with the new axle, simply because there are more 5 bolt wheel options available.

As Always,

Happy Scamping !!!

Greg A
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Axle Bolt Pattern

On the Axle story above, I also had the 4 bolt pattern and when I ordered the new axle I ordered a 5 bolt pattern. I needed tires and the wheels were long in the tooth, so just got new tires mounted on new wheels and then brought them over to the horse trailer shop to put on the new axle. I also added brakes when I ordered the axle and it didn't add much more to the cost of the axle that I recall. Good time to take care of all of those issues when you do an axle swap.

One thing that you will need to decide as well before you order a new axle is the down/up angle you want. Once you order it this can't be changed. I don't recall on this one what I ordered, but it seems the consensus on most folks at the time was a 10 down which will lift it a bit over stock. You can ask the shop that is doing your swap to help you with that decision.

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ELongest
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Older S-13 axle

An 81 S-13 has a foreward facing axle. When ordering your brakes will have to be swapped since they are directional. Scamp put an axle on one of my older S-13's. They installed a 22.5 deg down axle W/O brakes but it did have the brake flanges. You can figure about a 1.5-2" lift from a new axle with the same angle. There is a Dexter chart showing angle/height changes. 10 or 22.5 deg down will both work on an older Scamp 13.

 The newer rear facing S-13 axles are 22.5 deg up angle. I have replaced a newer one with a 0 degree axle to get about a 2" lift for better plumbing/ground clearance.. 

Just keep in mind when you raise a trailer the hitch will also raise

Eddie

dhelgeson
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Thanks for all the advice.

Thanks for all the advice. What I do know is my scamp is a low rider as you can see from the picture. Hopefully the people at the horse trailer place will help me make the correct decisions as far as which axle (up or down).I'm hoping the new axle will raise the trailer and make for a smoother ride.  I just want to be safe and protect my tow vehicle.

FlintBound
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ELongest, I'm new to SOI and

ELongest, I'm new to SOI and I just bought my 79 13' Scamp two days ago.  I'm really excited, but I need a new axle (which I suspected when I bought it).  I went to a trailer place I like that can order Dexter and do the work, but they were unsure about the "backward" arm and the problems that will cause with adding brakes.  I'm new to this kind of axle and construction, though I've now learned about torsion axles and a bit about arm angle.  Can you explain a bit more about swapping the brakes or how that worked? Thanks.

ELongest
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FF Axle

If you have a 79 you may have an Acorn, that is the year that Everland renamed their trailers for a while. Electric brakes are directional so you have a right and left brake assy. If you order an axle the brakes are installed for rear facing operation. So if you mount the axle foreward facing you will have to swap the brakes from side to side. You will have to put the right brake on the right side and the left brake on the left side of the trailer.

When you order an axle from Dexter you (or someone) will have to fill out an order worksheet for your specific axle and you will have to specify about a dozen options. I would contact Dexter and see if they will set the brakes up for a foreward facing installation if you go with that orientation when ordering since it is not a normal option. You will need a #9 axle and can order a capacity up to 2200 lbs.

Installation notes for the installer:  When removing the old axle start by cutting off the swing arms off the old axle. It makes it easier to access the welds to cut off the old axle. If installing your axle foreward facing you will have to cut off a little of the mounting bracket on the door side to make it fit  where the old axle was mounted.

Eddie

 

  

mccownw
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Axle replacement

I see you live in IL.  It may be worth checking with SCAMP (in Backus, MN) to see if they will replace your axle.

ELongest
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Scamp Axle replacement

I had Scamp replace an axle for me on a 82 S-13. They had an axle in stock, no brakes but it did have brake flanges. The installed a 22.5 degree down forward facing axle. It gave the trailer a good lift. You need to call and make an appointment for them to do an axle swap. They schedule two axle replacements a day. In less than two hours it was complete, about the time it takes to tour the factory. It has been quite a while back but they were very reasonable.

Eddie

FlintBound
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Thanks.  This is all helpful.

Thanks.  This is all helpful.  mccownw, I'm actually in Michigan, and it would be quite a trip the the Scamp factory (though a fun one).  I also found out that Dexter won't warranty an axle that has leading arms.  I contacted Scamp and went back to my trailer place today and the trailer place can do the swap.  Scamp said it could be done just fine.  The one piece of advice I got was that the dance floor needed to be supported because the new axle, with a trailing arm, would go further forward than the floor.  The trailer place doesn't want to add a support because that's not work they typically do (axles -- yes, other structural work -- no).  The mechanic suggested simply leaving the old axle in place for support, but cutting off the arms (which he said he could do).  I had thought about that idea myself for support.  Though it would leave a bit of extra weight, it seems the simplest idea. 

The manager I was working with at the trailer place was off today, so I need to catch back up with him next week and see where we can go, but I'm leaning toward the Dexter, trailing arm, adjusted angle so the trailer rides at the correct height, which will likely be around 0 or 10 degrees up.  If I decide I don't like the axle as support for the dance floor, I know a good welder in town that I can probably work with.

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