Axle flip on a small 16 feet Sportsmen

If the axle flip would result in being able to go from 13" to 14" tires, I'd do it. The advantage of the larger wheel will offset a lot of any gravity issues.

I don't know if it care but I have the genuine Equal-i-zer weight distribution hitch four points sway control. I didn't decided to get this brand myself (because it's way too expensive), but it came with the TT for free... so!

Flipping the axle will give you the added height you need, but it will raise the center of gravity. If you aren't trying to race on a slalom course, then you probably won't have any issues. Besides, when you load it with gear, keep the heavy items as low and forward as you can to keep a minimum of 10% tongue weight and you should be fine.

A number of Sportsmen Classic owners have flipped their axles.

I was leery of the low clearance on that model, so I opted for the sister model Spree Escape, which has about 4" more clearance plus 14" wheels instead of 13".

vlopddap wrote:
Thanks for the advice, but keep in mind it's a VERY small TT, so the sewer drain outlet is located very near of those triangular brackets, so if brackets rub, the sewer drain will rub and this can turn into a nightmare. The triangular brackets are the same height than the sewer drain actually.

Okay then the brackets can't be removed. On my equally small hybrid (17') with the same brackets, the sewer pipes were just aft of the wheel so removing the brackets would not have caused any problems. Sounds like you will have to flip the axle afer all. Others have done it successfully.

wmoses wrote:

vlopddap wrote:
...it's the trailer height. Just to reach my house from the main road, the kind of large triangular steel bracket under the rear bumper rub on pavement a few places when I climb steep hills. Obviously my TT is perfectly levelled with my towing vehicle. But to be honest, when the TT is parked in a parking lot, the rear bumper brackets only clear the ground by 3-4 inch maximum.

If the only issue is the clearance in way of these triangular brackets when going up your driveway and if you are level at all other times AND if you don't otherwise need the height increase, I would simply remove the brackets.

With my previous RV they were simploy bolted on to the frame so if yours is the same removal should be a 5 minute job, if that. AFAIK, these brackets are only there to protect the aft end of the trailer from scraping in conditions such as this. If your usage is such that you won't likely scrape the rear end, then the more practical solution is to remove the brackets.

Flipping the axle, at the very least, raises the vertical centre of gravity and hence decreases the (transverse) rollover stability of the trailer.

In most if not all cases removing the brackets WILL result in damage to at least the slinky drain and possible the black water tank.

I would NEVER advise anyone to remove those brackets for any reason.

They ARE put there for a purpose by the factory.

Additionally many ARE welded on, mine is, so the OP would have to cut them off and would be a pain to cut and then have welded back on after getting tank repairs done..

I would however agree with the axle flip altering the center of gravity.. This mod does have some potential handling side effects..

My suggestion is the OP needs to LOWER the tongue, FIRST.

It DOES NOT "NEED" to be "level". In fact it most likely will improve handling by allowing the tongue to sit a bit lower.

Lowing the tongue will shift some of the center of gravity FORWARD of the trailer axles and will add a little bit of weight to the tongue. It may not take much to reduce the dragging and as long as the tongue jack does not drag you will be good..

wmoses wrote:
If the only issue is the clearance in way of these triangular brackets when going up your driveway and if you are level at all other times AND if you don't otherwise need the height increase, I would simply remove the brackets.

Thanks for the advice, but keep in mind it's a VERY small TT, so the sewer drain outlet is located very near of those triangular brackets, so if brackets rub, the sewer drain will rub and this can turn into a nightmare. The triangular brackets are the same height than the sewer drain actually.

vlopddap wrote:
...it's the trailer height. Just to reach my house from the main road, the kind of large triangular steel bracket under the rear bumper rub on pavement a few places when I climb steep hills. Obviously my TT is perfectly levelled with my towing vehicle. But to be honest, when the TT is parked in a parking lot, the rear bumper brackets only clear the ground by 3-4 inch maximum.

If the only issue is the clearance in way of these triangular brackets when going up your driveway and if you are level at all other times AND if you don't otherwise need the height increase, I would simply remove the brackets.

With my previous RV they were simploy bolted on to the frame so if yours is the same removal should be a 5 minute job, if that. AFAIK, these brackets are only there to protect the aft end of the trailer from scraping in conditions such as this. If your usage is such that you won't likely scrape the rear end, then the more practical solution is to remove the brackets.

Flipping the axle, at the very least, raises the vertical centre of gravity and hence decreases the (transverse) rollover stability of the trailer.

I flipped my axles and I have not noticed any ill effects. Well the bottom step is 6 inches higher, but I' 6'5" so it isn't really a problem for me. Of course if you ask my 5' wife she might give you a different opinion on the step height.

It's a very popular option. The bottom of my trailer is 23" off the ground. I have zero handling issues and most of my towing is twisty, winding mountain roads with stretches of freeway laced in.