Forum Discussion

jaredjulian's avatar
jaredjulian
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015

Stumped on lifting torsion axle TT

Hey all, new to the forum but not to having a TT. I previously had a fleetwood 24' and did a spring over axle lift pretty easily to gain some much needed clearance for the rear plumbing.

I sold that and bought a new to me 2005 R-Vision trail lite something or other. It's got the same clearance issues and I thought I'd do the same to it until I realized it had non-adjustable torsion axles under it. :( I don't know if thats the technical term but it doesnt have the arms that can be placed in different positions. I've done some searching here and google but still unsure about how to gain some clearance here. It seems like some people have just fab'd some 2" square brackets above their stock brackets and re-attached that to the frame. I'm a decent welder and DIYer so I think I could do it but it seems like raising the CoG that way would call for more side-to-side support than just the axles spanning across? If you have some useful input on how to do this please advise.

Thanks in advance.
Jared
  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2015
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Info w/pictures.Dexter Torsion Lift Kit

    As for lateral support

    Weld some 2" square tube across width of trailer (side to side)

    If the angle iron mounts are simlar to the Dexter pictures, then a lataral support is probably not needed. Rubber torsion axles are sometimes part of the structure the way they are installed.
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2015
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Info w/pictures.Dexter Torsion Lift Kit

    As for lateral support

    Weld some 2" square tube across width of trailer (side to side)


    Not sure, but I think that lift kit by Dexter was discontinued due to issues with it bending/failing from what I understood to be some sort of design issue possibly due to its bolt on vs being a welded design/install.

    Larry
  • scrubjaysnest's avatar
    scrubjaysnest
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2015
    The lift kit is what we use on Trailmanors to get away from the 13 and 14 inch wheels.
  • jaredjulian's avatar
    jaredjulian
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2015
    Thanks for the info guys. I could understand the possibility of that kit failing, but it seems like a 2" square would be a better idea to begin with, fully boxed vs. a c-channel type. The link posted for the dexter kit seems pretty straight forward for the installation maybe I could just use their instructions with my own parts. Unfortunately I won't be able to do it anytime soon anyway.
  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2015
    LarryJM wrote:
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Info w/pictures.Dexter Torsion Lift Kit

    As for lateral support

    Weld some 2" square tube across width of trailer (side to side)


    Not sure, but I think that lift kit by Dexter was discontinued due to issues with it bending/failing from what I understood to be some sort of design issue possibly due to its bolt on vs beind a welded design/install.

    Larry

    About the only way that it is going to bend is if the angle iron bracket bends. A person could make the kit themselves, but use 1/4" thick tubing instead of 3/16". The kit may be 1/4", but it doesn't look like it from the pictures. The other improvement is to weld one bead, overhead, onto the frame on each end of the tube after it is bolted to the angle iron. The other improvement is to use quality nylock nuts. After doing that, I don't think you would ever have any issues. Once installed, in order to have lateral movement, both angle irons would have to bend, along with the tubes, once they are welded, and that probably isn't going to happen.
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2015
    69 Avion wrote:
    LarryJM wrote:
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Info w/pictures.Dexter Torsion Lift Kit

    As for lateral support

    Weld some 2" square tube across width of trailer (side to side)


    Not sure, but I think that lift kit by Dexter was discontinued due to issues with it bending/failing from what I understood to be some sort of design issue possibly due to its bolt on vs beind a welded design/install.

    Larry

    About the only way that it is going to bend is if the angle iron bracket bends. A person could make the kit themselves, but use 1/4" thick tubing instead of 3/16". The kit may be 1/4", but it doesn't look like it from the pictures. The other improvement is to weld one bead, overhead, onto the frame on each end of the tube after it is bolted to the angle iron. The other improvement is to use quality nylock nuts. After doing that, I don't think you would ever have any issues. Once installed, in order to have lateral movement, both angle irons would have to bend, along with the tubes, once they are welded, and that probably isn't going to happen.


    No agrument there and I think something similiar has been used in the past for custom mods. I think the Dexter Kit might have had issues for the larger trailers and I'm pretty sure you can't get one now because of it being discontinued. Made study enough and installed correctly I agree this approach seems straight forward and should work, it's just how much heavier and the specifics that need to be followed.

    Larry

    Larry
  • Ozlander's avatar
    Ozlander
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2015
    On the R-Vision Camping Club.org forum, there is a thread back in 2005 on installing a 2" square tube with pictures. I can't see the pictures now, Maybe Tckhan, who did the mod, will email them to you.

    I did the mod on our Trail-lite, no welding needed for 2". I jacked on the frame behind the back axle. One side at a time.

    Trail-Lite axle lift
  • jaredjulian's avatar
    jaredjulian
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2015
    Thanks for the link. I definitely think I can work this with ease. I'd almost like to go higher than 2" initially but for simplicity I think I'll just stick with that first and hope it provides enough clearance for me. It gets pretty windy come spring time so maybe I'll take it for a joyride after the lift and see how I feel about any lateral support needs. Thanks a lot guys
  • Ozlander's avatar
    Ozlander
    Explorer
    Dec 07, 2015
    Just remember when you are drilling holes, you are setting the alignment of the axles. Drill with care.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025