I've got a 5th wheel that was bought used from a local dealer. I want to replace the bearings (preventative, don't have much faith that previous owner maintained anything very well). There are however no markings on the axle to indicate who the manufacturer is (no tag, no engravings). There is only a sticker from what looks like the original dealer, with the following information on it: Hubface: 86.5", C/S" 63.5" Over. Serial # 6000SE-56786-0515.Here's a pic I took while underneath. I've contacted the original dealer, but anyone have any clues? Looks like a Dexter hub, and the axles does have some kind of E-Z lube cap on it.

Jack it up, take one hub apart, tahe the seal and bearings to a supply house. Easy to match up.Why do you think you have a bad bearing?

I've found Dexter support to be very helpful you might call them and ask for hints....

Did email Dexter, they told me that any axle manufactured by them since 2001 had the info engraved in the axle at a specific location (mid axle, rear side,serial number), but it’s not there.Reason I want to replace the bearings is because I am not original owner and have no idea how well (or how badly) previous owner maintained. Bearings are cheap, figure better safe than sorry.

At some point (2012s?) Komforts and Denalis were being built at the same Komfort plant in Oregon before it was shut down. Komforts had Dexters.In the photo it looks like the axle is wrapped in sheet metal? If so you need to remove that to see the axle and its number. On the 2003 Komfort we had, the axle was fairly brown and there was a number on it somewhere in the middle that you could see if you sand-papered a bit.

Bearings are very easy to iinspect once you have them well cleaned of all grease. I would do like I suggested, take them all out, clean them well and check them. If their bad, replace then, otherwise grease them thoroughly and reinstal using new seals.

Trying to identify Axle manufacturer | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

72cougarxr7
Explorer
Oct 31, 2018
Most real parts stores like Auto value, Napa, federated, can cross reference the numbers that will be on your old bearings. Try to get a good brand bearing like Timken or SKF. Same for the seals.
You may have a local bearing supply house that can help you also.
azrving
Explorer
Oct 24, 2018
As they said, pull a hub and disassemble. If you go to a site like etrailer you can match the numbers and probably figure out who made the axle. The bearing and seal numbers should be visible. Sometimes it's handy to have an inexpensive vernier caliper when dealing with axle shafts, bores etc. When you get the parts figured out make a list to have on hand of what your axle uses.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Oct 22, 2018
There are few different bearings to cover all trailer axles, there is no need to go to the axle manufacturers for parts. Just get the number off the bearings and order quality name brand parts. With the pressure on axle manufacturers to provide low priced product, there are better sources.
phemens
Explorer
Oct 22, 2018
Got an answer back from the original dealer, referred me to a company called FrameCo (www.frameco.ca), they say the axle is produced by them, but the bearing kit they list on their site as the replacement looks suspiciously like a Dexter kit (Linky). Is it possible they repackage the Dexter (or other) frame & resell?
phemens
Explorer
Oct 22, 2018
Guys, I appreciate the comments on the springs, but no, they are not flat, it's the angle of the photo (lying flat on my back). I just finished replacing the suspension equalizers and shackles/bolts (MorRyde CRE3000 & wet bolt kit matching OEM shackle size), so that's all ship-shape.
I guess I will pull the bearings in the spring and replace at NAPA. DOn't feel like pulling the axle sheath to see if there's anything underneath. No shocks on my model.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Oct 22, 2018
All bearings have a part number on them. Your NAPA dealer can replace them.
MFL
Nomad II
Oct 22, 2018
Agree as to the springs being flat. The shackle straps look new, and heavier than oem. Maybe someone replaced with straps that were too short, causing the spring issue???

Jerry
BFL13
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2018
Come to think of it, where are the shocks? Our 2003 Komfort 5er had shocks. If a 2012 Denali is the same as a 2012 Komfort, then it should have shocks.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Oct 22, 2018
Yeah, I think those springs look too flat to do much. If it were mine, and I intended to travel with it, I'd replace the springs. I don't believe they're prohibitively expensive.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Oct 21, 2018
Like said above, pull a hub and check the bearings. Replace with Timkens if you need or want new. Some cheap Chinese bearings can fail in short order.

The leaf springs look flat and maybe need replaced, at least spray them with a rust preventative like Fluid Film.