Forum Discussion

fivecodys's avatar
fivecodys
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013

Flipping Axles?.....Well kind of

I have a Flagstaff 8528RKSS.
With my current truck I have almost 6" of clearance between the bed rails and the trailer.
This is with the pin box adjusted to it's lowest position.

I am looking at new 3/4 or 1 ton trucks.
I have noticed that the bed rails of these new trucks are significantly higher than my current truck's rails.
This causes me great concern and I do not want to be in a 'nose high' towing situation with less clearance than I have now.
So here is my question;
Is there a way to raise the height of the trailer?
I have Dexter torsion axles so I don't see a way to do an 'axle flip'.

A new fiver is still a few years away so I need to come up with a solution for now.

Any ideas?

Many thanks.

Bill

12 Replies

  • fivecodys's avatar
    fivecodys
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2013
    jaycocamprs wrote:
    Look at the Dexter Axle Torflex Lift Kit page. They may have what you need.


    You guys sure are smart!
    Thanks for the links.
    This forum is a tremendous resource!

    Thanks again to all who replied.

    Bill
  • alfresco's avatar
    alfresco
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2013
    when I changed trucks from a 97 1500HD to a 07 2500HD there was 6" difference in height. I had a local machine shop install a 6" wide steel tubing between the frame and spring hangers. Did the job fine.
    About $900.
  • Newblue's avatar
    Newblue
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2013
    I ended up lifting my torsion axle trailer 4" to keep from scraping the rear end. I don't trust my own welds to have 10 tons rolling down the highway on them so I took it to a semi frame shop to be lifted.


  • Dayle1's avatar
    Dayle1
    Explorer II
    Jul 30, 2013
    I did this on a previous trailer with torsion axles. I was able to buy a 'lift' kit from the trailer manufacturer, so you might give Forest River a call. Anyway, the kit had two rectangular steel tube about 5 ft long and four predrilled steel plates. Cost was less than $200, but that was a number of yrs ago. The tubes provide the lift and the plates weld between the frame and the tube, but they extended below the tube to provide bolt locations for the axles. It is important to note that you cannot weld directly on a torsion axle, the heat will degrade the rubber inside the tube.
  • fivecodys's avatar
    fivecodys
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2013
    Rbertalotto wrote:
    No spring hangers with torsion axles.........

    You need a welder / machine shop to make a couple of riser blocks.....

    Don't listen to the "No 4WD" advocates......When you need it, there is nothing like it!


    There is a trailer repair place in Fresno. They do mostly Commercial trailers but I will see if they could handle this and make sure the trailer axles are aligned properly.
    I'm sure it won't be a cheap solution.

    Many thanks,

    Bill
  • Rbertalotto's avatar
    Rbertalotto
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2013
    No spring hangers with torsion axles.........

    You need a welder / machine shop to make a couple of riser blocks.....

    Don't listen to the "No 4WD" advocates......When you need it, there is nothing like it!
  • chipper's avatar
    chipper
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2013
    Remove the spring hangers from the frame, weld a square tube of the appropriate size to the frame to raise the axles,reinstall new spring hangers. This would need to be done by a professional who knows what he is doing.I have seen a couple of units that this done & it fixed the problem very well. They probably would need to weld in a couple of cross braces to stiffen the finished product.
  • Peg_Leg's avatar
    Peg_Leg
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2013
    You can have a metal fabrication shop make a sub frame with thick wall tubing to lower the axles.

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