Lifting my class C
I have a new-to-me Class C, a 1997 Four Winds, 23ft long. Often, when I enter a gas station or other driveway, I drag my butt on the pavement. Technically, I drag the hitch (see pic below). I'm afr...
Forum Discussion
@Gary45 very good, I'll go looking for the other end of that tube. Too funny.
@Jack Spratt my guess is you are saying that replacement is required because they are almost horizontal. The rig has 70,000 miles and perhaps they have yet to be replaced. With extensive towing, that likely wore them out at an accelerated rate.
@gjac yes, this is a good time to determine what the design specs are and compare. I'll look for a scale near me.
@travisc I might get away with leaving those alone with the other changes below.
@Booner I, too, am new to hitches but by replacing the leaf springs and with the airbags I may be able to leave that alone. Definitely taking your advice to add a stabilizer and replace the shocks.
@DrewE you mentioned that the leaf springs may look flat...and @Jack Spratt mentioned that they look like they need to be replaced. My inclination is to replace but I will ask the local suspension shop for their opinion, as well.
@ron.dittmer I'm definitely going with the stabilizer. The rig does seem tippy to me (one caveat: this is my first RV so I have no experience to compare against). And I may get back to you on the brakes. Another goal has been to find a mechanic to give the rig a once-over but I haven't found that mechanic yet; car mechanics I've asked uniformly have said it's not their specialty so I continue to look for one.
Well, the new task list has become:
1. Replace the leaf springs; get some extra inches that way
2. Replace shocks (they look original to me and this is a good time to do it)
3. Install rear stabilizer bar (not for height but to improve the handling)
4. Get airbags working
Given that I'll get only two inches extra height from the trailer manufacturer, that I already have castor wheels and that I already have airbags, this seems like a good list for Phase 1. I'll leave the hitch alone for now.
Phase 2 can be new tires more suitable for the tiny amount of off-road I intend on doing—but only when these are worn out.
@Jack Spratt my guess is you are saying that replacement is required because they are almost horizontal. The rig has 70,000 miles and perhaps they have yet to be replaced. With extensive towing, that likely wore them out at an accelerated rate.
@gjac yes, this is a good time to determine what the design specs are and compare. I'll look for a scale near me.
@travisc I might get away with leaving those alone with the other changes below.
@Booner I, too, am new to hitches but by replacing the leaf springs and with the airbags I may be able to leave that alone. Definitely taking your advice to add a stabilizer and replace the shocks.
@DrewE you mentioned that the leaf springs may look flat...and @Jack Spratt mentioned that they look like they need to be replaced. My inclination is to replace but I will ask the local suspension shop for their opinion, as well.
@ron.dittmer I'm definitely going with the stabilizer. The rig does seem tippy to me (one caveat: this is my first RV so I have no experience to compare against). And I may get back to you on the brakes. Another goal has been to find a mechanic to give the rig a once-over but I haven't found that mechanic yet; car mechanics I've asked uniformly have said it's not their specialty so I continue to look for one.
Well, the new task list has become:
1. Replace the leaf springs; get some extra inches that way
2. Replace shocks (they look original to me and this is a good time to do it)
3. Install rear stabilizer bar (not for height but to improve the handling)
4. Get airbags working
Given that I'll get only two inches extra height from the trailer manufacturer, that I already have castor wheels and that I already have airbags, this seems like a good list for Phase 1. I'll leave the hitch alone for now.
Phase 2 can be new tires more suitable for the tiny amount of off-road I intend on doing—but only when these are worn out.
