Re: [A/S] Dexter and Henschen axles - question

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Oliver,

Dexter is a major manufacturer of suspension and wheel components used on
generic travel trailers, cargo trailers, utility trailers, etc.   Dexter
axles are conventional leaf spring type.  Dexter may have manufactured the
suspension assemblies used on Bambi's in the '60s.  Dexter also manufactures
other automotive and trailer products.

As I was told during one of several visits to the Airstream manufacturing
plant at Jackson Center, Airstream originally manufactured its own unique
suspension assemblies which were called Dura-Torque.  After the death of
Wally Byam, probably after Thor, Inc. became the corporate parent of
Airstream, Inc., the suspension manufacturing unit was sold along with the
design and rights.  It became Henschen.  It is located in an old building
several blocks from Airstream in Jackson Center.  Management and employees
are friendly.  My daughter and I walked in, unannounced, and asked for a
tour of the plant several years ago.  We were invited in and allowed to
watch the process standing right next to one of the assembly line workers.

It is a very simple yet effective and impressive design.  In simple laymen's
terms, the design is a square tube (axle) with a smaller square steel shank
with two 90 degree angles (suspension arm) inserted into the larger tube.
Cushion and support is provided by four approximately 12" long round rubber
rods of approximately 1/2" diameter inserted between the flat side of the
suspension arm and the corners of the square axle tube.  The rods are
temporarily placed in a super cooling freezer beside the work station, using
liquid nitrogen or other substance with an extremely low freezing point, to
shrink the rubber rods.  The rods are quickly removed from the freezer,
placed by a gloved hand against the suspension arm, and the arm with rods
are shoved into the axle tube.  Very low-tech and all done by hand.

It one of those things that the rest of us observe and remark, "I wish I'd
thought of that."  Probably a Wally Byam idea or design.  I've never heard
or read whose idea or design it is.

The tour guide and retired A/S service employee at Airstream told me the
weight ratings of the Henschen Dura-Torque axles are determined by the
diameter and hardness of the rubber rods.  He also told me that Henschen
will restore old and sagging Dura-Torque axle assemblies inexpensively by
removing the suspension arms from the axle tubes and replacing the rubber
suspension rods.  He told me a special press is required for disassembly.

Of course Henschen will also sell a complete new axle assembly with Dexter
(I think) backing plates at a very attractive price, less than $500 per axle
I think.

My description and explanation is a rather simple and vague explanation of a
design and process I know only a little about so I make no claims to precise
accuracy.  It is intended to provide a general understanding and may be less
than precisely correct on some of the details.  It is based on what I've
been told and what I have observed.

Other manufacturers have purchased and installed Henschen Dura-Torque axles
on their travel trailers.  Holiday Rambler used them on their top of the
line Presidential trailers, may still do so.  Hi-Lo also used them.  Another
of the corporate children of Thor, a name I don't remember and is not worth
remembering, currently manufacturers an entry level light-weight box travel
trailer.  I think it also uses Henschen axles, probably for the wind drag
reduction offered by a lower profile which the Henschen axles allow.

Harvey