Traded the single axle for double axle - Restore!

[Sodar]

I guess you could go all stainless.... http://www.trailerandtruckparts.com/...l#.UTYQudbjzh4

[bsloop]

Originally Posted by Ski-me

OK, I've looked into new lines and it seems to be a slippery slope. I'm good with the mainline being the Thermo-Plastic....that's a pretty easy decision. However, I need only about 12-13' instead of the 19'. Is the Thermo Plastic bendable enough to double up inside the frame rail?? I don't want to pinch it.

What I thought would be easy was to just use Stainless Steel for the rest of the system. What I've found is that the SS is harder/more brittle than the standard coated steel and the flaring is different. If I went SS, I would most likely get a spool of it and then cut/flare as needed.

Finally, I can't use the nice, CHEAP tube benders and flaring tools from the local auto parts store for the SS tubing. I'll need the nicer equipment to do a proper flare.

With all that said, it looks like my only option is the Thermo Plastic main and then the coated steel. Unless I'm missing something.

Look around, there are SS main line trailer kits less than 20'.
I found this Champion 16' kit in less than 30sec google search - http://www.championtrailers.com/brkparts.html

From my understanding, SS is MORE forgiving than steel; less likely to kink. I was gentle with my bends and had no problem. Any round item can be used as a temporary mandrel. Used a tennis ball and hammer handle as I recall.

[Ski-me]

If I get a kit, all of the flaring issues would be gone so the only other thing is bending.

bsloop, if you've worked with the SS is it OK on the bending and can I just use a simple $10 tube bender from Autozone, or do I need something more specialized?

And your link confirmed my flaring discovery on SS lines:

STAINLESS STEEL
BRAKELINE TUBING
CANNOT BE CUT
AND REFLARED
IN THE FIELD

BRAKE LINE TUBING
REQUIRES A DOUBLE FLARE
PROCESS TO COMPLY WITH
D.O.T. REQUIREMENTS, AND STAINLESS STEEL
TUBING REQUIRES SPECIAL TOOLING TO ACCOMPLISH THIS.

[bsloop]

I cant say I am an expert tube bender or have extensive experience. Just did some reading before doing a full actuator, lines and dual disc conversion on my tandem trailer a couple years ago.

I took it easy and had no problem hand bending. I have never used a tube bender so I dont know if there is any difference. I just keep the pressure dispersed.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Cheap tube benders are simple to use and help keep you from kinking the line. Worth the few bucks in my mind. The bends are more uniform looking for those with MCOCD.

[Ski-me]

I just called Pacific Trailers and placed my order on a dual axle SS kit. I asked if they could swap out the 19' SS mainline for the 19' Thermo Plastic one and he said "he thinks it's OK". $126 for whole package so hopefully his boss doesn't have a problem with it......

[Ski-me]

Well, after several calls to finally get the order placed, the parts finally showed up. Let's just say, keep the order simple and do it online, if possible. Because I wanted to swap out the SS mainline for the Poly line, I had to talk to someone in person. After providing my card once (and then he lost it), I called back and had to provide it again. Not a good feeling.

Anyways, I received everything and it was kinda a mixed bag.

I would of thought some of pieces would be the same length but the two long ones (for the axle were different lengths). I just had to be a little creative on the layout.

[Ski-me]

I also decided to re-wire the lights as well. I really like having a separate ground run to each light as well as a frame connection. That way I have a lot better chance of not getting a some flickering light while driving down the road (that annoys me so much!)

However, to do this, I did have to get an extra set of trailering wire to run down each frame channel.



After running the new mainline, here is how much I had left over in the tongue. I stuff it in with some zip ties.....

[Ski-me]

The tube bender worked "pretty good" but found that just doing it by hand also works well. Definitely a learning process....











The final tongue connection:



Re-did the plug with a new, 7 plug prong:

[Ski-me]

LED's installed all the way around: