Overland Mod Casita Axle
- Thread starter GarrettMcS
- Start date
Off the top of my head no but, they're not that long and have fit between the plumbing and center in wheel well.
The below is from the Casita forum on which Larry Gamble of Little House Customs used to do these conversions
Heres a collection of pistings on tbe subject hope it helps.
We originally started doing leaf conversions not for lift but for chubby Casita's The #11 Dexter torsion axle is quite expensive and OMW shocks won't fit. For about the same price one can get a 5200# Dexter leaf axle, 4200lb springs, giant bearings, 12" brakes and Dexter shocks. But there is really no lift involved. The leaf axle actually moves the axle away from the bottom of the body and puts it in the center of the wheel reducing clearance. The project requires careful measuring, lots of cutting and welding.
We usually (on heavy 17's) use a 5200 lb axle but use 4200 lb springs. There have been exceptions where we used a 3500 lb axle and springs but these trailers were light. The motivation here was folks who towed in the mountains almost exclusively and perhaps had tow vehicles on the small side for a 17. 12" brakes are standard on the 5200. It should be noted that the 5200 axle is rated as such only because we order them with 6 lug drums. If we ordered them with 8 lug drums the rating would be 6000lbs. The key is lighter springs so we don't create a harsh ride.
We use off the shelf trailer springs. From a Dexter distributor we use their PR4's for 4200lbs or PR3's for 3500. They measure about 27" inches. With tall perches and long shackles this gives us a bit more then 3" of travel before frame interference. We ordered them when we ordered the axle.
The specs are simple.
5 on 4-1/2” centers 1/2” studs
66" hub face
48" spring centers (check your frame first as there are anomalies)
electric brakes
EzLube (if you want it)
6 on 5.5 drums
4200 springs and tall hangers
Dexter K171-1 shock kit
The below is from the Casita forum on which Larry Gamble of Little House Customs used to do these conversions
Heres a collection of pistings on tbe subject hope it helps.
We originally started doing leaf conversions not for lift but for chubby Casita's The #11 Dexter torsion axle is quite expensive and OMW shocks won't fit. For about the same price one can get a 5200# Dexter leaf axle, 4200lb springs, giant bearings, 12" brakes and Dexter shocks. But there is really no lift involved. The leaf axle actually moves the axle away from the bottom of the body and puts it in the center of the wheel reducing clearance. The project requires careful measuring, lots of cutting and welding.
We usually (on heavy 17's) use a 5200 lb axle but use 4200 lb springs. There have been exceptions where we used a 3500 lb axle and springs but these trailers were light. The motivation here was folks who towed in the mountains almost exclusively and perhaps had tow vehicles on the small side for a 17. 12" brakes are standard on the 5200. It should be noted that the 5200 axle is rated as such only because we order them with 6 lug drums. If we ordered them with 8 lug drums the rating would be 6000lbs. The key is lighter springs so we don't create a harsh ride.
We use off the shelf trailer springs. From a Dexter distributor we use their PR4's for 4200lbs or PR3's for 3500. They measure about 27" inches. With tall perches and long shackles this gives us a bit more then 3" of travel before frame interference. We ordered them when we ordered the axle.
The specs are simple.
5 on 4-1/2” centers 1/2” studs
66" hub face
48" spring centers (check your frame first as there are anomalies)
electric brakes
EzLube (if you want it)
6 on 5.5 drums
4200 springs and tall hangers
Dexter K171-1 shock kit
FWIW, it tows well with the T-Dub on the stern w/the help of a WDH.
The shop I worked with to strengthen the frame and swap the axle recommended this route. Partially due to the OMW tongue extension the tongue weight (95#'s + extra stiffening steel on frame) can be north of 600#'s (depending on load) and induced a bit of squat which the WDH pretty much removed.
The TV is a front end heavy diesel 1 ton single axle w/a add-a-leaf and 1000# class 4 reciever. The trailer is sitting on a 5200# solid axle on 4200# leaf springs and 16 x 265E tires that provide a wide solid track.
I have run at 65mph in a 70 knt wind on the port quarter w/o any sway. When I try to swing it, it just flows in line.
Now for the sacrilege, putting the 270# Yamaha out back on a 70# MotoTote rack. It has not negatively affected the program at all. Actually, its balanced a bit more, even with 20+ gallons of water aft, the tongue weight lands around 400#'s. I've run it at 85mph and it just tracks. I've semi-panic braked (I do run the brake controller on the high side for drag) and it still just tracks.
Prior set up w/stock high lift torsion axle and OMW lift & shock on 15 x 235E's and no WDH, it was far "looser" in the trail for sure. I'd never have thought to put the scoot aft then. Granted the extra 18" in tongue length contributes positively by itself as it alone towed far better than bare bones stock.
In summary, I've been made a believer in what the professional trailer guys say about the benefits of a WDH and increasing the carry capacity all around. Bigger brakes, bearings, wheel diameter and extra steel where needed has contributed to a far more stable and comfortable towing experience.
As they say results (& comments) will vary but, I like the product and we don't mind the extra step to get in.
Oh yes, there are rear, brake and turn signals wired on the rack. I do plan to add/put a light bar above the window though too.
I concur with this method and am very happy with the WDH for the reasons quoted, particularly the sway control.
The shop I worked with to strengthen the frame and swap the axle recommended this route. Partially due to the OMW tongue extension the tongue weight (95#'s + extra stiffening steel on frame) can be north of 600#'s (depending on load) and induced a bit of squat which the WDH pretty much removed.
The TV is a front end heavy diesel 1 ton single axle w/a add-a-leaf and 1000# class 4 reciever. The trailer is sitting on a 5200# solid axle on 4200# leaf springs and 16 x 265E tires that provide a wide solid track.
I have run at 65mph in a 70 knt wind on the port quarter w/o any sway. When I try to swing it, it just flows in line.
Now for the sacrilege, putting the 270# Yamaha out back on a 70# MotoTote rack. It has not negatively affected the program at all. Actually, its balanced a bit more, even with 20+ gallons of water aft, the tongue weight lands around 400#'s. I've run it at 85mph and it just tracks. I've semi-panic braked (I do run the brake controller on the high side for drag) and it still just tracks.
Prior set up w/stock high lift torsion axle and OMW lift & shock on 15 x 235E's and no WDH, it was far "looser" in the trail for sure. I'd never have thought to put the scoot aft then. Granted the extra 18" in tongue length contributes positively by itself as it alone towed far better than bare bones stock.
In summary, I've been made a believer in what the professional trailer guys say about the benefits of a WDH and increasing the carry capacity all around. Bigger brakes, bearings, wheel diameter and extra steel where needed has contributed to a far more stable and comfortable towing experience.
As they say results (& comments) will vary but, I like the product and we don't mind the extra step to get in.
Oh yes, there are rear, brake and turn signals wired on the rack. I do plan to add/put a light bar above the window though too.
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spressomon
Expedition Leader
Recently removed the failed Dexter Torflex 3500lb axle and swapped in ARB/OME Dakar HD LC 60-Series front springs with AAL using a straight Dexter 3500lb axle. In tow/tour mode the trailer weighs 2800lbs +/-. I thought about up converting to a 5200lb axle, primarily to get the 12" brake drums, but ultimately wasn't up for swapping out our aftermarket aluminum wheels and tires to go to 16" same. Its not a full timer's trailer so I think we'll be fine. And not that big o'deal, compared to doing the axe system swap, to swap out the axle/wheel/tires downstream.
Tried SOA but it sat way too high and just swapped to SUA and the ride height is perfect. Even without shocks the trailer tows so much better than it ever did with the Torflex (junk IMHO). Next up is configuring shock mounts and shocks...
Tried SOA but it sat way too high and just swapped to SUA and the ride height is perfect. Even without shocks the trailer tows so much better than it ever did with the Torflex (junk IMHO). Next up is configuring shock mounts and shocks...
For those interested in what a 17' Casita can be safely made to carry its; 4 MTB's and a TW200. The tongue weight with a half fresh H2O tank is 725#'s and almost 4K# on the axle hooked up and loaded w/a WDH on a CAT scale.
The extended tongue and 5200# axle on 4200# leafs w/shocks handles it all quite
well.
The extended tongue and 5200# axle on 4200# leafs w/shocks handles it all quite
well.May I know where did you find the PC bolt-on tongue extension? Like to do the same on my 17" LD too. Thanks
Sorry for slow reply. The tongue extension was an Orbital Machine Works product, unfortunately only a few were made. The one I was lucky to get was a later bolt-on model utilizing the original hitch to tie it together.
