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Davezogg's avatar
Davezogg
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016

Getting Axles Flipped - any potential problems??

We just bought a 2008 Cherokee 5th wheel and towed it home with my new 2016 Ram 4x4 6.4 gasser.

The towing experience was wonderful, though the camper only weighs 6,500 pounds. Truck is a fabulous tow vehicle and I would certainly recommend it.

The problem is that I am about 8-9 inches nose high in the front!! I towed 400+ miles to get the rv home, but I know this is not good. I expected some swaying or worse on the trip, but all went well...surprised.

Anyway, I am getting the axles flipped next week for $425...reasonable I think.

I am wondering about the problems this might cause. I know lots of folks do the flip, but I am concerned about any negative results.

I already raised the pin box almost all the way up (one hole left), and gained an inch. So, I have another inch there. Also, I have a Curt Q16 slider lowered all the way down.

I'm assuming I'll get 5 inches out of the axle flip and another inch from the pin box, which will still leave me 2-4 inches nose high.

I guess I'll be towing a little nose high but I am at a loss at to what else to do....

Any advice is certainly appreciated...thanks in advance.
  • braindead0's avatar
    braindead0
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2016
    Flipped here also, adjusted WD hitch to compensate and replaced single entry step with double step. No noticed difference in towing. Make sure they weld the perches on.

    I'm not sure about the price, seems likely reasonable. I did my own on a single axle with the dexter kit, welded the perches.. all told maybe an hour of work and about $60 for the kit. Double the time, and the kit price and some profit...
  • Rambino's avatar
    Rambino
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2016
    We did the flip and have no issues. We were nose high also. The DW couldn't wait to have it done as the bottom step was about an inch from the ground. Its also nice to have the storage and plumbing higher as well. More clearance and less bending over. And level!

    Being your 5er is 8-9 years old, it would be a good time to check the wheel bearings, brakes, and suspension parts.
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2016
    I leveled ours with an axle flip (got close to 6") and it tows great and has great ground and bedrail clearance now too. It's tall but the center of gravity on a trailer is actually lower than you might think, especially when you run with full tanks.
  • N-Trouble's avatar
    N-Trouble
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2016
    I was 5-6" nose high and did axle flip/spring over earlier this year. At the same time I did Dexter EZ-flex and HD wet bolt kit. Also threw on a set of Duravis R250 LT tires. No complaints here. Trailer tows much better once its leveled. I do not notice the trailer being any more "top heavy". Like I said it tows BETTER. Only downside is youll likely need an additional entry step.
  • Ed9824v's avatar
    Ed9824v
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2016
    I have done it to three trailers now all work fine, last year took a 4000 mile trip in our raised/flipped axle trailer no problem, I have more problems if I do not have the bed to 5er clearance because of the roads on our property and come very close to touching bed to trailer. I had an old pull out step from a pull trailer and welded some metal to it and it just attaches to the last stem and gives me one more step when I need it, slips over and snaps down and is on. came so close to being able to fit in place while traveling but protrudes a little too much. YOU ARE GOING TO BE FINE. and less problems catching things under trailer and easier to dump in some places, all is good
  • Davezogg's avatar
    Davezogg
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2016
    Thanks for the replies. I'm good on the bed to camper clearance at 6-7".....

    My wife is concerned that we are "re-engineering" our camper....might be top heave, might bounce, brakes might work different, etc. She sees lots of potential issues.

    We did note at a campground that a few big fifth wheels apparently came with the axles beneath the springs from the factory, or they have been flipped.

    I guess it will all work ok......
  • tinner12002's avatar
    tinner12002
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2016
    In my opinion if you do the axle flip or spring over, being a couple inches out of level won't hurt a thing! Been towing out of level for a couple years on a toy hauler loaded and haven't had any issues.

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