by Doug Frederick » Wed Mar 15, 2017 1:52 pm
Actually, about the same! Look how high the screw jack is off the ground! And the trailer tires in the fender wells! Only one driver set has to go, #3 from the '87, and only my personal trailer could (barely) hold it (7500lbs, plus cribbing). The drivers' axle has been worn down through normal use (the journals can be turned a few times), and must be replaced (recreated from stock material), and only the D&S has the requisite press. I brought back the pieces in two trips (wheels/tires, axle first, two counterweights today). Once C&TS makes the new axle (-very- roughly expected to have a 20 year service life), I'll take the pieces back to D&S, they'll press it together, and the guys will stick it back under '87. This repair was the result of routine annual inspection. I volunteered to do the driving because it was a safety issue, none of the other Friends or C&T trailers have working electric brakes right this second, and none are any heavier duty than mine anyway, and, why else are we here, right?
To their credit, the Durango & Silverton guys were very quick, and very helpful.