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.

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.

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......

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

Getting Axles Flipped - any potential problems??

john_bet
Explorer II
Dec 17, 2016
Just make sure you do not exceed the nominal 13'6" height. Hate to have you leave your roof air on a low bridge/overpass.
bkick
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016
I have not had any problems except my wife needed an additional step. My flip would not have made my trailer level so I added heavier springs that also included more arch. My trailer now is less than an inch nose high.
WE_CAMP2
Explorer
Dec 16, 2016
I have done this to 2 5th wheel trailers with no problem. Spend a few more dollars and do the EZ-flex Equalizer and wet bolt kit while it is apart.... well worth the money!!
RockfishJim
Explorer
Dec 08, 2016
So, the Flip was easy and since then we pulled the trailer on a 400 mile trip, including 150 miles of CA Hwy 1 north of SF. The trailer behaved great and the extra clearance was noticed and appreciated. Next week I will be re-checking the shackle bolts as that is recommended in the instructions.
tinner12002
Explorer
Nov 17, 2016
Anyone flipping axles on an older RV, I would certainly recommend, if you plan on keeping coach for a few years, to replace leaf springs and install a dexter or similar wet bolt and shackle kit while everything is apart. That just eliminates a couple possible issues down the road.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 15, 2016
laknox wrote:
Davezogg wrote:
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......

My $0.02:

2-3" nose-high won't be a problem. Been doing that for the 12 years I've owned my FW because I need the bed clearance. 8" and I've used almost all of it more than once.

Higher CG? Yes, by a little. If it would make your wife happier, fill the fresh water tank at least part way to give you some "ballast".

I seriously doubt the mfrs have done =anything= different to their basic designs when they started "flipping" axles at the factory...other than to overall height. You WILL need to pay attention to that, since you could be 5" taller than original spec.

Lyle

The OP stated 8-9" nose high, I would flip the axles, level tow is always a better tow.
So many worry about leveling the TV when not towing (front lift), I leave mine with TV nose slightly down empty, and it come closer to level when towing.
Besides better towing, and easier on the suspension it just looks more professional!
Irelands_child
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
Not a problem after an axle flip. You will gain the thickness of the axles (3"), and the new spring perch ~1.5". I've done this on two 5ers and a TT. Our current 5er already has the axles below the spring, but I added a 1" spacer for more tire to wheel well clearance. Since doing that, pulled about 15,000 miles in 2 years. You will not be top heavy for that little amount of added height nor will it negatively change any handling characteristics but quite possibly will improve handling a bit by adjusting the weight over all four wheels instead of being a bit heavy on the rear axle and wearing those two tire faster (maybe?)
RockfishJim
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
I just wanted to say that I'm flipping the axle on my Spree 19 this weekend and really appreciate the advice and knowledge in this thread. I'll share how it went next week, assuming I survive ;)
pyoung47
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
Surprised that a camper that new has axles over the springs.
laknox
Nomad
Aug 31, 2016
Davezogg wrote:
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......

My $0.02:

2-3" nose-high won't be a problem. Been doing that for the 12 years I've owned my FW because I need the bed clearance. 8" and I've used almost all of it more than once.

Higher CG? Yes, by a little. If it would make your wife happier, fill the fresh water tank at least part way to give you some "ballast".

I seriously doubt the mfrs have done =anything= different to their basic designs when they started "flipping" axles at the factory...other than to overall height. You WILL need to pay attention to that, since you could be 5" taller than original spec.

Lyle