Axle help

[Backtheblue3]

Good morning. I have a 1981 sunline 16rb with tandem axles. After a few road trips, I've decided to do an axle flip to raise our camper up for better clearance. Does anyone know what size axles are under it? One kit I saw was for a 2.3" housing tube but I don't wanna order if it's wrong. Any help/guidance would be much appreciated. Have a great day!

[JohnB]

Hi,

I may be able to help. I am not sure what size axle tube your 1981 camper has on it, but I can help you sort out which Dexter over/under kit would/could work. You also said you had tandem axles, meaning 2 axles, (4 tires total). The 1981 brochure lists the 16RB as having a GAWR total undercarriage weight of 3,400# and the empty axle weight of 1,800. And the empty tongue weight of 190#. Those numbers sort of point to single axle.

There may be a miss-type or misunderstanding of the ratings, as the brochure seems to point to a single axle (2 tires total). But, if you have 2 axles (4 tires total) then Sunline did something different. The next size camper up does have tandem axles.

Regardless of how many axles, this can help. To my knowledge, Dexter Axle only makes two sizes of over/under axle conversion kits, one to fit a 2 3/8" axle tube and the other to fit a 3" axle tube.

Your camper being as small as it is, the 2 3/8" tube kit would be closer to working which fits the 3,500# axle tubes. The 3" kit fits the 5,200 and 6,000# axles tube. The axle tube rating may be higher then what the camper is rated for, and that is OK.

Here is the way to sort out what you have.

If by chance you have a caliper, measure the OD of the axle tube. If you do not have a caliper, take a tape measure and wrap it tight around the axle tube. You want to measure the circumference.

For a 2 3/8" axle tube diameter, the circumference is 7.461" or real close to 7 15/32". Basically 1/32" under 7 1/2". To be more accurate in measuring, align the 1" mark as your starting point verses the end of the tape measure. Then add 1 full inch to the total distance. The 1" mark is more accurate then the end of the tape measure that floats around.

A 3" axle tube has a circumference of 9.424". That is a lot bigger then the smaller one and I'm sure is not what you have.

But, back in 1981 Sunline may have used some different axle tube then the current day 2 3/8" (3,500#) axle tube. Measure what you have, and if it does not match the above numbers by more then +/- 1/16", then tell us what the circumference is you measured and we can back into what it is.

Here are the 2 Dexter kits

The 2 3/8" kit
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...71-384-00.html

The 3" kit
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...71-385-00.html

I picked E trailer as they have a lot of good data and a reputable place to buy from

Eastern Marine also sells them, seems to be out of stock rught now. Also a good place
https://www.easternmarine.com/dexter...kit-k71-384-00

And Amazon has them
https://www.amazon.com/Dexter-K71384.../dp/B008OADK9G

Check the freight at all 3 places.

Hope this helps

John

[Backtheblue3]

Good morning JohnB. I just saw my response before did not go through, so thank you very much for the info. I have been redoing the inside...bunk beds for the kids...u-shaped dinette on front side...and now replumbing and bathroom. I will use your info as I tackle the suspension in a couple weeks. Have a great day and thanks again!

[JohnB]

Good luck Backthe blue3,

Sounds like you have a good restoration underway. Let us know if you need any help.

John