www.dexteraxle.com

600 - 8,000 LBS. CAPACITY

GEARED FOR INNOVATION SINCE 1960

www.dexteraxle.com
2900 Industrial Parkway East n Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone: 574-295-7888 n Fax: 574-295-8666

TRAILER RUNNING GEAR

ISO 9001 Certified

2/16

© 2002-2016 Dexter Company. LIT-122-00

Introduction
This information is intended as a guide for the proper specification and application of Dexter running gear,
associated components and accessories.
Dexter offers a full line of trailer axles that can be used in many different applications. When specifying any
pre-engineered components such as axles, it is the responsibility of the trailer designer to insure compatibility
with the vehicle and all of its sub‑systems.

Important Information
The information presented is meant to assist trailer manufacturers in the specification of their running gear
components. Dexter does not warrant that the information given constitutes an approved trailer design or
application. Dynamic loading, travel requirements unique to the trailer design, unusual service conditions,
trailer configurations, unequal load distribution, hitch or coupler arrangements and towing vehicle suspension
characteristics can significantly affect the performance of any trailer axle and/or suspension systems. It remains
the responsibility of the trailer manufacturer to evaluate, specify and test their trailer/running gear combination
before production and to certify it as such. While the information presented at the time of this writing is current,
it is subject to change as designs and components evolve over time.

Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability
All users of this product catalog acknowledge that the information presented is significantly affected by factors
within the exclusive knowledge of the user including, among other things, service conditions, trailer configurations,
load distributions, hitch and coupler arrangements and tow vehicle suspension characteristics, that the users
have independently investigated these factors and have solely relied on those investigations when using this
catalog, and that it is the responsibility of the user to adequately specify, evaluate and test its trailer/running gear
combinations.
DEXTER DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER WRITTEN, ORAL OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW
(INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE),
ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THE CATALOG AND WITH ANY INFORMATION PRESENTED BY THIS
CATALOG.
Dexter shall not be liable in damages (whether compensatory, punitive, direct, indirect, special, incidental or
consequential) to any user of this catalog under contract, tort, strict liability or any other theory of liability, and
any user agrees to indemnify and hold Dexter harmless from any and all claims, actions or other proceedings
(including attorney fees and court costs) arising out of the use of this catalog to the extent said claims, actions
or other proceedings do not arise out of the sole and exclusive negligence of Dexter.

Load Ratings
The maximum load carrying capacity of any assembly is limited to the lowest load rating of any individual
component selected. For instance, the load rating of a pair of wheels may be lower than other axle components
selected. If this is the case, the load carrying capacity of the axle assembly is reduced accordingly. As a specific
example, if a pair of wheels is rated at 1500 pounds each and is used with other components rated at 4000
pounds per axle, the maximum load capacity is limited to 3000 pounds. If two tires are rated at 1400 pounds
each and are used on this assembly, the maximum load carrying capacity is limited to 2800 pounds.

Axle Orientation
When working with trailer running gear, it is important to understand the various features and descriptions of
the equipment. Most trailer axles are directional by nature, that is, it is imperative that they be installed onto the
trailer in the proper manner to ensure brake functioning and correct wheel alignment. The front of the axle must
be oriented toward the front of the trailer. The convention used to define right and left is based on viewing the
trailer from the rear and facing in the direction of forward travel.

Introduction
Features to help identify the front of the axle:
•

Electric brake wires exit brake backing plates toward the rear of the axle.

•

12¹⁄₄" hydraulic brakes have view ports through the dust shield on the back of the assembly. Where the brake
lining is visible in the view port, that will indicate the rear or secondary shoe which is always oriented toward
the rear of the axle.

•

Slipper springs have the spring eye at the front of the axle.

•

Leaf spring axles with inner wiring have the wires exit the tube toward the rear of the axle.

•

Torflex® axles have the wheel center trailing behind the axle tube.

•

Axles using ³⁄₄" spherical ball seat wheel nuts will have right and left handed threads. The right handed thread
must be on the right end or curb side of the axle while the left handed thread will be on the left end or road
side of the axle.

Stub Axle Disclaimer
A stub axle is described as a trailer axle spindle, welded to a short length of tubing. Stub axles may be specified
and purchased as plain spindle/tube weldments or they may be fully assembled wheel end units, with or without
trailer brakes.
These incomplete axles are sold to manufacturers who wish to incorporate them into a variety of applications
such as specialty vehicular axles, belt tensioning devices, machinery pivot points, etc. Dexter has no control of
the design intent of these special applications and therefore cannot apply a rating or capacity to these
components.
The spindle/tube connection has been designed for suitable stress levels when used in a trailer axle, mounted
to an approved suspension system and loaded to no more than the stated capacity. The use of all or part of the
product for applications other than its intended purpose may not be appropriate. It is the customers’ responsibility
to determine the efficacy and safety of their particular application.
Torflex® axles can also be purchased as stub axles. This type of axle incorporates a self-contained suspension
system. They can be specified as stub assemblies that will be rated for capacity when fitted with approved
mounting brackets. The stated capacity will be based on the lowest rated component in each assembly.
These stub assemblies are essentially half axles that are intended to be mounted to the trailer chassis independent
of each other. The trailer manufacturer must assume responsibility for the integrity of the attachment as well as
the final wheel alignment since independent mounting puts these critical aspects out of Dexter’s control. If used
in pairs of unequal capacity, the trailer manufacturer should assign a Gross Axle Weight Rating of not more than
two times the capacity of the lower rated sub assembly.

GAL-DEX®
GAL-DEX® is a galvanic coating used for corrosion protection of equipment in marine applications and is available
on popular hubs and hub-drums and attaching parts.
•

GAL-DEX® coating is a process that coats parts by overlapping zinc and aluminum flakes in an inorganic
binder.

•

Barrier protection – coating serves as a barrier between steel substrate and elements.

•

Galvanic action – the zinc corrodes to protect the steel.

•

Passivation – the metal oxide slows down the corrosion reaction (3 times greater protection than pure zinc).

•

Self-repairing – coating migrates to damaged areas and restores barrier protection.

•

Corrosion resistance – provides Salt Spray protection in excess of 1,000 hours.

Table of Contents
600-1100 Lbs. Capacity ................................................ #8 Torflex®.................................................. 4
Torflex® Application Information.................................................................................................................... 5
Hub Groups................................................................................................................................................... 7
Brakes........................................................................................................................................................... 8

1000-2200 Lbs. Capacity................................ #9 Torflex® / D20 Leaf Spring................................. 11
Torflex® Application Information.................................................................................................................. 12
Leaf Spring Application Information............................................................................................................ 14
Hub Groups................................................................................................................................................. 15
Brakes......................................................................................................................................................... 16

2300-4000 Lbs. Capacity.............. #10, #10F & #10L Torflex® / D30 & D35 Leaf Spring............... 19
Torflex® Application Information.................................................................................................................. 20
Leaf Spring Application Information............................................................................................................ 22
Hub Groups................................................................................................................................................. 24
Brakes......................................................................................................................................................... 28

4100-6000 Lbs. Capacity.................... #11 Torflex® / D44, D52, & D60 Leaf Spring..................... 40
Torflex® Application Information.................................................................................................................. 41
Leaf Spring Application Information............................................................................................................ 43
Hub Groups................................................................................................................................................. 45
Brakes......................................................................................................................................................... 49

5500-7000 Lbs. Capacity................... #12 & #12T Torflex® / D60 & D70 Leaf Spring.................... 58
Torflex® Application Information.................................................................................................................. 59
Leaf spring Application Information............................................................................................................. 63
Hub Groups................................................................................................................................................. 65
Brakes......................................................................................................................................................... 67
Airflex® Suspension System........................................................................................................................ 80

7200 Lbs. Capacity....................................... #12V Torflex® / D72 Leaf Spring.............................. 83
Torflex® Application Information.................................................................................................................. 84
Leaf Spring Application Information............................................................................................................ 86
Hub Groups................................................................................................................................................. 88
Brakes......................................................................................................................................................... 90
Airflex® Suspension System........................................................................................................................ 92

8000 Lbs. Capacity..................................#13 & #13T Torflex® / D80 Leaf Spring......................... 94
Torflex® Application Information.................................................................................................................. 95
Leaf Spring Application Information............................................................................................................ 97
Hub Groups................................................................................................................................................. 99
Brakes....................................................................................................................................................... 101
Airflex® Suspension System...................................................................................................................... 110

Miscellaneous
Wheels and Tires...................................................................................................................................... 113
Hanger and Attaching Parts Kits............................................................................................................... 114
Torflex® Installation.................................................................................................................................... 116
Dexter Axle Limited Warranty.................................................................................................................... 119

Video Gallery
Dexter Video Gallery................................................................................................................................. 120

600 - 1100 LBS. CAPACITY

General Applications

Axle Types
600-1100 Lbs. Capacity
• Ideal application for light utility, for hauling personal watercraft
and motorcycles
• Complete service manual
• Heavy duty 1¹⁄₁₆" spindle design
• Precision machined steel spindles and integral cast iron
hub/drums
• Short version spindle for trailers with extremely short overhangs
• 7" x 1¹⁄₄" electric and 7" x 1³⁄₄" hydraulic brakes
• Electric brakes are available with and without parking feature
• Standard grease lubrication; E-Z Lube® option
• Lower cost

CAUTION: Triple axle assemblies are NOT recommended
for #8 Torflex® axles.

4

8

• Totally rubber-cushioned for smooth, quiet, independent ride
• Easy installation with less maintenance
• Less transfer of road shock which insulates cargo from road
shocks and vibration
• Rubber cords compounded for maximum dependability
and durability
• Load-carrying cross member
• Self-damping action
• Independent wheel suspension system
• 5 year limited warranty on suspension system
• Low profile for maximum road clearance
• Various starting angles to control trailer height
• Low profile brackets available
• Rubber cushioning eliminates metal-to-metal contact
• Shock absorption provided by the natural hysteresis of rubber
• Single or tandem axle assemblies
• Durable, wear-resistant components

Torflex® Application Information
Articulation Dimensions
Dimensions are for low profile, top mount
only. Side mount is .18" higher. Allow 3" bump
clearance from full load.

Top of
Bracket
Arm

Forward

Len

H

gth

Start Angle

DE
XTE
R

Center of
Spindle

Left Hand
Assembly Shown
Axle Location

No

Load

Full

Load

Shock

Load

Start
Angle

Bracket
Profile

H

L

H

L

H

L

45°
Down

Low

3.84

2.83

2.54

3.70

1.79

3.92

32°
Down

Low

3.13

3.39

1.67

3.95

0.89

4.00

22.5°
Down

Low

2.54

3.70

1.01

4.00

0.23

3.92

10°
Down

Low

1.70

3.94

0.14

3.91

-0.60

3.66

0°

Low

1.01

4.00

-0.52

3.70

-1.21

3.33

10°
Up

Low

0.32

3.94

-1.14

3.37

-1.76

2.89

22.5°
Up

Low

-0.52

3.70

-1.82

2.83

-2.32

2.22

8

L

600 - 1100 LBS. CAPACITY

8

#8 Overhang Per Side
Spindle
Short
Standard

Min.
4.75"
6.00"

Max.
9.04"
9.04"

Note: Positive numbers in the H column indicate
the spindle is BELOW the top of the bracket.
Conversely, negative numbers are ABOVE the top
of the bracket.

Full Load Dimensions
Dimensions are for low profile, top mount only. Side mount is .18" higher. Allow 3" bump clearance from full load.

C

C

Top of
Bracket

E

H

Top of
Bracket

B

E
H

B

D

D

22.5° Dn, 45° DN

10° Dn, 0°, 10° Up, 22.5° Up

Start Angle
45° Down
B
C

Tire

*
D

**
E

H

ST175/80R13
4.80-8
4.80-12
20.5 x 8.0-10

11.2
7.9
9.5
9.7

12.0
8.8
10.8
10.8

2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5

13.7
10.4
12.0
12.2

9.5
6.3
8.3
8.3

22.5° Down
H
B
C

H

1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1

12.2
8.9
10.5
10.7

11.0
7.8
9.8
9.8

10° Down
B
C
11.3
8.0
9.6
9.8

11.9
8.7
10.7
10.7

H

0°
B

C

H

-0.5
-0.5
-0.5
-0.5

10.7
7.4
9.0
9.2

12.5
9.3
11.3
11.3