Lifting a travel trailer

[banderarver]

I havent had a chance to look at it yet, but is there any reason you cant install lift blocks on the axle/leafsprings similar to what you do to the rear of a truck to lift the trailer? I am looking for about 2" of lift to keep the back end from dragging. BTW, I am installing Paktron 5" skid wheels. These things are seriously heavy duty and should help me back into my driveway, but the trailer overall sits a lot lower than most.

[Honest John]

I won't comment on the method you propose, simply because there are far more qualified people than I in this forum.  However, I know that a fairly common practice with trailers & 5th wheels is to "flip the axels".  That is to remove the axel from the spring and move it to the bottom of the spring and it gives you more ground clearance.

I once had this done to my 5th wheel to make it match up to my truck (height) better.  I had it done professionally (at an RV repair facility) to ensure that it was done correctly and maintain proper alignment.  I would not suggest doing it yourself.

John

[banderarver]

Ahh, I guess I assumed that they were already underneath the leaf springs. As far as doing it, I work at a shop so thats not an issue.

I have done a few flip kits on older 2wd trucks back in the day and it is pretty straight forward, so I guess I'll have a few things to look at.

[Lou Schneider]

I know you know this, but for the benefit of others who might be considering a flip:

Flipping the axles is fairly straightforward, but you don't actually "flip" or turn the axles upside-down to mount them under the springs.   New spring mounts are welded to the top of the axles and they're moved right-side-up to mount underneath the springs.

If you turn the axles upside-down you'll mess up the camber of the tires.

[banderarver]

Good idea to bring that up. You never know....

[Dave Stringham]

When I had a 5th wheel, I flipped the axles, it was my experience that there was a considerable difference in handling since the center of gravity was changed.  Lower seemed more stabble but I did achieve the even ride height I was seeking when matched to my stock F-350 4x4.

[joer]

I just got through with lifting my 5th wheel by adding a 3 inch splice in the spring hangers.  We have driven just a few more than 1000 miles at this point and it seems to be working well.  I needed the lift because I changed from 15 to 16 inch wheels.  Flipping the axles will add more height--but perhaps too much for comfort.  I was not so concerned with the possible handling change,  but the height would make the steps physically pretty darn tall.     Enjoy life.  This is not a dress rehearsal.    joe

[banderarver]

Getting ready to flip the axles, should be a quick fix as there is no camber built into the axles. As far as the steps, it has a single right now and once this is done a triple step may be going on, depending on the new height. I am pretty nervous about doing all this, but my tech says he does it "all the time" so we will see. Wish me luck....

[RV Roamer]

GOOD LUCK!!!

[edjunior]

And take some pictures.  I think this would make a very cool viewing event.

[banderarver]

Doh! Already hit a road block. This trailer has drop axles, so I cant simply just flip them around. I considered just buying some new spring mounts and welding them on the top, but I dont think that will give me enough lift. I am gettimg some measurements together to order some straight axles, and will then install them under the springs for approx 7 inches of lift. That sounds like a lot but this thing really is dragging, the frame only sits about 12 inches off the ground, if that.

[banderarver]

Got one axle done! Man, it looks to be a lot higher than I thought, but with only one done I am not sure this is the final result. The center rocker set up looks like it will bring it down a little, but I guess we will see. Here are some pics, not great ones though. Oh, and it is not sitting on the jack stands in the back, there is about 1/4" of clearance.

check out this thread for before pics...

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,26695.0.html

[edjunior]

Well, it sure looks like you got your 2".  And then some!  But like you said, we'll have to see how it looks after it is all said and done.  Interesting mod.

[banderarver]

Hmm, well, uhhh, so I got a lot more than I was hoping for here. Turns out it is NINE inches higher then before!!! OK, so immediately everyone starts calling me an idiot for lifting it that high when everyone was around while we were doing it knowing that we weren't going to know how high it was until we were done, but you know how that goes. The guy that was going to weld everything up for me flat out refused saying I was going to flip it and burst into flames. Some of the other RV guys said it would be fine, so now I am a little paranoid.

Now common sense tells you anything you lift/change from stock can cause stability issues. This goes for anything, no problem. So I go out on our lot and find a new Fleetwood Pioneer 30ft trailer and measure it from the rear bumper to the ground and it is 27 inches, from the frame at rear is 23 inches, and from the frame in between the two tires to the ground and it is 21.5 inches. I measure mine from the same spots and it is identical. I measured the overall height and the Pioneer is 10ft, mine is 10 ft. (top drip rail to ground). Logic tells me if the build trailers that sit up that high, it shouldn't be an issue. Now of course, driving with a trailer means you dint drive like you do normally, but this guy made it sound like even if I was careful (like you would be towing a 36 ft trailer) I was going to have problems due to the lift.

Opinions?

BTW, 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 X-Cab 4x4 3.73 gears Truck's GVWR 7007lbs. 7500lbs tow capacity, 13000 GCWR. Trailers GVWR is 7000. Reese 10,000/1000lb eq hitch with sway control, prodigy electric brake controller.

[utahclaimjumper]

Close friend of mine has a 35 ft. 7000lbs. 5er (older) with dual slides, we flipped his axels 5 years ago, it looks high but tows really well, the trick is to install very high quality shocks to prevent any rolling motion, all else is fine.>>>D