tinner12002 wrote:
JIMNLIN wrote:
Thanks Dinwitti....I went to trailerblocks.com and it seems to be the best solution so far. Guys lift trucks with rear axle blocks all the time with no issues, so why wouldn't it work for an RV????
I never heard of this place before but I will be contacting them soon....
From what I can rough calculate, if I put 2" blocks over the axles, the back bumper should come up about 3-4 inches...almost level!! thanks again.
As mentioned adding suspension to a trailers std leaf spring isn't the best or safest idea. In fact Dexter doesn't recommend the practice in a email to me.
Adding blocks to a truck rear axle is no big deal as the rear tires simply roll around corners unlike a trailer with close spaced axles in the center of a heavy tall box. Trailer tires actually side slip (side scrub) while backing or going forward aroma a corner. This add tremendous stress to the trailers suspension parts.
Now add a tall block with much longer U bolts and stress is multiplied on the U bolt/top plate and spring keepers.
For a heavy trailer the sub frame method is the safest and much easier on suspension parts
You don't think a powered rear truck axle has no stress as they just roll around...you must have a front wheel drive truck then! That rear axle is under power at all times during cornering and acceleration how do you feel its just back there rolling around, its under stress at all times the truck is in motion! They still use block under springs on the rear axles to this day and if installed properly there won't be any issues but if their not installed correctly then yes its not a good idea to do it. Even with your sub frame addition, if its not done correctly its not safe. I totally disagree with the notion that an rv axle has more stress on it as does a rear axle on a truck. The only time the axle on an rv has stress is when turning, trucks are under powered stress all the time. I understand the spring manufacturer not recommending using blocks as well as possibly the frame manufacturer not recommend welding a sub frame to their frame. I would put blocks in all day long on my RVs and not be afraid of them at all but I wouldn't do it to someone else's RV because of the liability involved, nor would I do a sub frame setup for the same reason even though I was a certified welder, I still say its safe if done properly.
Well strongly disagree, yes the live drive axle has stress, but in a in a straightforward direction. Tandem trailer axles get a lot of side force when turning it is this twisting that blocks and longer U bolts need to endure without twisting or breaking.
