Dexter 8000lb oil bath axles

[powerscol]

Looking at getting a PJ Equipment trailer. Specifically a F8 GN 102" wide deckover model with the 3' dovetail and wide 31" HD ramps.

It comes standard with two 7K axles with electric brakes. One of the options is the 8K oil bath axles with elect brakes.

I know the brakes are bigger, but what is the real difference? Are oil bath better and easier to maintain?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yes, oil bath are much easier to maintain, keep an eye on, run cooler, ect.

If you want a real upgrade go to disc brakes. 2 of my 3 trailers have them. One factory and one I converted. I will neve go to drums again. Just like the auto industry the trailer industry will slowly convert to all disc.

Chris

 

[Pepsiboy]

Looking at getting a PJ Equipment trailer. Specifically a F8 GN 102" wide deckover model with the 3' dovetail and wide 31" HD ramps.

It comes standard with two 7K axles with electric brakes. One of the options is the 8K oil bath axles with elect brakes.

I know the brakes are bigger, but what is the real difference? Are oil bath better and easier to maintain?

The difference is the WEIGHT capacity. The higher weight axles use 80W90 oil instead of G1 grease. It stays fluid to a lower temp and (according to manufacturers) provides better lubrication of the bearings. Me personally, I'd go for the oil axles. After 35 years as an OTR driver I like the oil bearings better. It is easier to make sure there is enough lube in each bearing. Sometimes it can be more of a PITA if there is a leak, but over all, I think the oil is better.:2cents:

Dave

 

[brain55]

Yes, oil bath are much easier to maintain, keep an eye on, run cooler, ect.

If you want a real upgrade go to disc brakes. 2 of my 3 trailers have them. One factory and one I converted. I will neve go to drums again. Just like the auto industry the trailer industry will slowly convert to all disc.

Chris

Yikes, I decided to look up what it would cost to upgrade my 8000 lb axles to disc brakes. It's real close to $1100 a wheel. That's an upgrade that may need to wait. lol

That's not counting the electric over hydraulic actuator.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yikes, I decided to look up what it would cost to upgrade my 8000 lb axles to disc brakes. It's real close to $1100 a wheel. That's an upgrade that may need to wait. lol

That's not counting the electric over hydraulic actuator.

I have never done 8K axles but plenty of 6 and 7K and it wasn't that much for a tri axle trailers on all 6.

Chris

 

[brain55]

I have never done 8K axles but plenty of 6 and 7K and it wasn't that much for a tri axle trailers on all 6.

Chris

That was straight off Dexter's site so a wholesaler may be cheaper. It was $359 each for the hubs, and $715 for each caliper assembly.

Brian

 

[Diamondpilot]

That was straight off Dexter's site so a wholesaler may be cheaper. It was $359 each for the hubs, and $715 for each caliper assembly.

Brian

Yea, that's crazy, but like I said I have never done 8K axles.

I get 6 and 7K sets, calipers, brackets, disc, ect for under $300 per axle. That's per axle, so both sides. Then the hoses are about $40 per axle and the hydraulic unit is about $550.

Chris

 

[MinnesotaEric]

That's it: next trailer, disk brakes, 24' long.

 

[puckgrinder85]

I'd be a little leary about disc on a trailer. Around here people have brake issues because of salts and chlorides durin the winter seizing pads in the caliper brackets. I could foresee this being a huge issue on a trailer that might get pulled through this and then left to rot and rust. I've never had stopping issue with drum brakes, they still use them for OTR trucks so they must not be too bad.

 

[CJONE]

Just the axle upgrade to 8K for my trailer scared the crap out of me, it was almost 2k. As far as disc vs drum, the disc have been way more reliable for me in the salt. Slide pins are sealed and with silicone grease last a long time. I can't seem to keep the pivot locations from rusting up with the drum units. Copper anti seize will keep the adjuster from freezing up but the arm/pivots seize way quicker than the adjuster. I hate running electric drum in the salt. OTR cam and roller are almost completely greaseable except for the rollers and they also have at least 2 return springs to keep them from hanging. But they still will given time. Wedge brakes were the worst, hope I never see them again. CJ