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Dexter Axles -- Common & Reliable?

5thwheeleroldma
Explorer
Explorer
Think I'm going to trash my Lippert axles and go with Dexters. My shop has been trying for about 10 days now to get parts for the Lipperts. Lippert finally said they stock no replacement parts and I would have to buy new axles, but for over a day now they cannot decide how to charge us for the new axles. Dexter has a nearby local supplier and we can get those quickly, no fuss. Can't figure Lippert out; trying to go out of business?

My question is; any huge problems with Dexter axles? I'll probably make the decision tomorrow morning. Thanks.
25 REPLIES 25

bfast54
Explorer
Explorer
shadoow wrote:
5thwheeleroldman wrote:
Can't figure Lippert out; trying to go out of business?


maybe trying to out of their axle business since they now own Dexter



Exactually.....they Now Own Dexter,Plus a whole lot more.....Didnt they break up Ma Bell.....becsuse it owned everything???????.....:h

Did some more reasearch........looks like Either their Purchase fell thru...or, it is a Wholey owned Subsidary....but at one time ...not too long ago...L.C.I. .....Announced they " Aquired" Dexter ?........!
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marspec
Explorer
Explorer
One thing with the Never Lubes is they are very sensitive to wheel offset. If you ever change your wheels make sure they meet the Never Lube specs.
2013 F450
Towing 2013 Lifestyle 37RESL

marspec
Explorer
Explorer
MPI_Mallard wrote:
Racklefratz wrote:
MPI_Mallard wrote:


I thought the same thing until one went bad after 20.000 odd miles and four years,i check em' every time I pull now and replace them every four years.


Nevrlube is a trade name for a product-nothing more, and not to be taken literally. ALL trailer running gear requires regular maintenance.


As I see your a new member I'll assume your new to fifth wheel trailers as well. The 50 mm Nev-R-Lube® Cartridge Bearing is a TYPE of a bearing sold by Dexter which is made by Timken, which is a SEALED bearing cartridge(meant to be maintenance free hence the moniker Nev-R-Lube)that Dexter guarantees for 100.000 miles or 5 years. These types of bearing cartridges have been widely used in truck, vans and cars such as Jeeps for years. According to a friend who is in the bearing supply business the bearings Dexter uses/sells were originally made in France to a very high standard but now is mass-produced in China and we can draw our own conclusions on that!

As far as "regular maintenance" goes the only way to tell if a Nev-R-Lube is going to fail is to remove the tire and do a visual check which is something I doubt most fiver owners do before a road trip, however before I take a long trip like my trip to Florida and back I do a visual before leaving to check spin and mostly grease leaks from the seal, but these bearings can fail at any time and when mine did it wrecked everything from the spindle out at a considerable cost, frankly I would never own another trailer with those bearings on them again and due to the age of my fiver it's not cost efficient to replace the whole kit n' kabootle so I'm stuck with Dexter,,,,for now.

Red Green:
If life gives you lemons, throw 'em into
a quart of vodka.


I had the same thing happen with a "standard" bearing--after it had been serviced by the factory. So my 2005 came with Never Lubes and disc brakes as did my 2013. 80K on 05 without any problems. With disc brakes you have to relieve the pressure to check for bearing play which I do at the beginning of the season.
2013 F450
Towing 2013 Lifestyle 37RESL

gwcamp
Explorer
Explorer
I get my trailer axle parts from trailer depoit. axles, brakes, bearings, and all, plus no tax but shipping is applied.
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Dandy_Dan
Explorer
Explorer
I have had Dexter axles on the last 2 fivers and possibly the TT prior to these. Never had any trouble with any of them. The only thing I did do was to contact them about the wet bolt kit and bronze bushings as my original factory bushings were definately wearing out. I wanted to be able to grease the joints. As far as the axles, no problems in the 25,000 plus miles on the one I have now. Good Luck and Happy Camping.
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MPI_Mallard
Explorer
Explorer
Racklefratz wrote:
MPI_Mallard wrote:


I thought the same thing until one went bad after 20.000 odd miles and four years,i check em' every time I pull now and replace them every four years.


Nevrlube is a trade name for a product-nothing more, and not to be taken literally. ALL trailer running gear requires regular maintenance.


As I see your a new member I'll assume your new to fifth wheel trailers as well. The 50 mm Nev-R-Lube® Cartridge Bearing is a TYPE of a bearing sold by Dexter which is made by Timken, which is a SEALED bearing cartridge(meant to be maintenance free hence the moniker Nev-R-Lube)that Dexter guarantees for 100.000 miles or 5 years. These types of bearing cartridges have been widely used in truck, vans and cars such as Jeeps for years. According to a friend who is in the bearing supply business the bearings Dexter uses/sells were originally made in France to a very high standard but now is mass-produced in China and we can draw our own conclusions on that!

As far as "regular maintenance" goes the only way to tell if a Nev-R-Lube is going to fail is to remove the tire and do a visual check which is something I doubt most fiver owners do before a road trip, however before I take a long trip like my trip to Florida and back I do a visual before leaving to check spin and mostly grease leaks from the seal, but these bearings can fail at any time and when mine did it wrecked everything from the spindle out at a considerable cost, frankly I would never own another trailer with those bearings on them again and due to the age of my fiver it's not cost efficient to replace the whole kit n' kabootle so I'm stuck with Dexter,,,,for now.

Red Green:
If life gives you lemons, throw 'em into
a quart of vodka.
07' Dodge 3500 6 speed Cummins Diesel Dually/6.7L Bully-Chipped /
Exhst Brake/07' Cedar Creek 37CDTSD Daydreamer fiver
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Red Green:
Now lets Bow your heads for the men's prayer.
I am a man, but I can change.
If I have to, I guess...

5thwheeleroldma
Explorer
Explorer
I'm the OP; made the decision to go with Dexter axles. Also had to get new disc brakes and actuator, but feel better. Something was weird about Lippert and their axles. Maybe Lippert has decided to go only with frames and Dexter has decided to go only with axles? Anyhow, decision made; thanks all.

RAS43
Explorer III
Explorer III
The OP has probably made his decision on Dexter or not but I just wanted to say that my Hitchhiker was built in '04 with Dexter Nev-R-Lube axles and I have not had any issues. I do check them each spring and retorque the lock nut. I am planning on replacing them this year since they are 10 years old but my guess is that I will find them still okay. It has been nice not having to mess with packing bearings.

Racklefratz
Explorer II
Explorer II
MPI_Mallard wrote:


I thought the same thing until one went bad after 20.000 odd miles and four years,i check em' every time I pull now and replace them every four years.


Nevrlube is a trade name for a product-nothing more, and not to be taken literally. ALL trailer running gear requires regular maintenance.
2012 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QGP (All Electric)

MPI_Mallard
Explorer
Explorer
NHIrish wrote:
agesilaus wrote:
Parts for the hub and Nev'r lube bearings are not universal.

Not that you'll see Nev'r lubes on newer axles, something that you should be happy about....heh

BK


I wouldn't buy a rig without never lube.


I thought the same thing until one went bad after 20.000 odd miles and four years,i check em' every time I pull now and replace them every four years.
07' Dodge 3500 6 speed Cummins Diesel Dually/6.7L Bully-Chipped /
Exhst Brake/07' Cedar Creek 37CDTSD Daydreamer fiver
Mallard @ Frau Blücher

Red Green:
Now lets Bow your heads for the men's prayer.
I am a man, but I can change.
If I have to, I guess...

NHIrish
Explorer
Explorer
agesilaus wrote:
Parts for the hub and Nev'r lube bearings are not universal.

Not that you'll see Nev'r lubes on newer axles, something that you should be happy about....heh

BK


I wouldn't buy a rig without never lube.
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3oaks
Explorer
Explorer
dave_smith wrote:
Sorry to hijack, but what's the consensus on Al-Ko? Our FW has 'em & all my previous experience was with Dexter.

Al-Ko axils came with my 2006 TT. We put about 3000 miles per year on our trailer. Have had no problems. Just routine bearing and break maintenance. As for Dexter's, from what knowledge I have of them, I would prefer Dexter over Lippert axils.

shadoow
Explorer
Explorer
B.O. Plenty wrote:
shadoow wrote:
5thwheeleroldman wrote:
Can't figure Lippert out; trying to go out of business?


maybe trying to out of their axle business since they now own Dexter
Dexter frames were bought by Lippert..Dexter axles is still owned by Dexter

B.O.


seems so B.O. Thanx for the clarification, my bad :S

NC_Hauler
Explorer
Explorer
Dexter axles on my 06' HR in sig., I purchased the unit brand new in 07' and have had zero issues with the axle or the Never lube bearings.
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