This being my third tt , they just keep getting higher. One thing I know is the higher it is the worse it handles. Even a n inch would helpful . Change springs? Shackles? I know people lift them. I understand theirs limits. Just wondered

A lot of them, like mine, cannot be lowered, due to tire clearance issues. My trailer is a "deckover" type of build, meaning the flat flooring deck is built over the tires ( no wheel wells ).

Yea thats the problem with todays builds. There are alot of deck overs with 3 or 4 steps to get inI'm in the market for a new trailer and it seems every floorplan I like is unusually tall because of this

I've all ways liked the '70s GMC motorhome because of the single step entry. (I know it's not a TT, but some one was thinking back then) The cantilever "dual axle" meant they had no axle across the floor.

They are made higher so the slide-out mechanisms are well above the tires too.

Jackfate wrote:This being my third tt , they just keep getting higher. One thing I know is the higher it is the worse it handles. Even a n inch would helpful . Change springs? Shackles? I know people lift them. I understand theirs limits. Just wonderedDoes yours handle badly?If so, it likely isn't the height. Might check hitch weight, and setup, and/or weight distribution in TT. Anyway, as has been said, the floorplan has dictated your trailers height. Whether it be a slide, or just an open floor space above the wheels, it was designed, and engineered that way, and I wouldn't try to change it. Good luck.

Any one lower their tt | Good Sam Community

gmw_photos
Explorer
Jun 10, 2016
....a guy could always get this and drive around with it cranked half down.....;)
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jun 09, 2016
gmw photos wrote:
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
.....snip....

LOL, Dog, were not talking turning a TT into an LA low rider.

...snip

In a perfect world, this could have the potential to make a good setup. A trailer that we could lower at speed on smooth roadways, and raise from the drivers seat when we need clearance.

....hey Turtle.....how about you engineer something like this ? :) ....this could be the next revolution in TT design :C

LOL, something like this? :B

This thing is built like some of the new trailers I have seen. :B
gmw_photos
Explorer
Jun 09, 2016
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
.....snip....

LOL, Dog, were not talking turning a TT into an LA low rider.

...snip

In a perfect world, this could have the potential to make a good setup. A trailer that we could lower at speed on smooth roadways, and raise from the drivers seat when we need clearance.

....hey Turtle.....how about you engineer something like this ? :) ....this could be the next revolution in TT design :C
gmw_photos
Explorer
Jun 09, 2016
From a standpoint of engineering, what we don't know, is how high the center of gravity is of our trailer. A guess would be that it's actually fairly low, since much of the really heavy stuff is low to the ground. Steel main frame, water tanks ( if they have water in them ), axles, wheels, etc. For that matter, much of the interior cabinetry is also low ( galley, bathroom, dinette ).

My point is, and this is just a guess since that is about all we can do here in the absence of real data, that lowering the trailer an inch or two is likely going to be such a small change as to be not noticeable.

As for all out cornering force, I have to wonder if the first limiting factor is likely to be traction. Trailer tires are pretty skinny and likely fairly hard compound.

A lower, more aerodynamic trailer like a Casita, Escape or Airstream probably holds some small advantage in cornering.

I have and tow several trailers, and among them is a low to the ground, rounded corner horse trailer, that just coincidentally is about the same weight as my camper. I pull it with the same truck as I do the camper. I really expected, it being lower and more rounded would allow for much better fuel econ, but as it turns out, I only get about one to maybe one and half mpg better.
All of my horse trailers are low to the ground due to the fact the tires "sit outside" the box of the trailer itself, so that vertical clearance for the tires is not a concern. It's typical to build stock and cargo trailers low to make the loading floor lower, and since we don't have low hanging plumbing, etc, those issues are of no concern.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jun 09, 2016
Huntindog wrote:
TT design is ALWAYS a compromise. Of course a lower anything with wheels will handle better on a smooth dip free road.... But that is not reality. There are also design considerations that make the TT more useful when not towing.

Most of us spend way more time actually camping in a TT than towing it... Even high milers like myself. Acceptable performance can be had without turning a TT into a low rider.... But hey, if you want to slalom race your TT.... It's a free country,

LOL, Dog, were not talking turning a TT into an LA low rider. The OP said even an inch would help. My TT is not exactly in the weeds. It's just a one step trailer like of old.

No wonder there is a rash of trailer sway problems and people complaining of wind buffet. :R

OP you can have your springs re-arched to lower it some. Like what was said, you will have to do your homework to make sure things work out ok.
Jackfate
Explorer
Jun 09, 2016
Thank you not helpful but your opinion I respect that although it's not what I ask
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
TT design is ALWAYS a compromise. Of course a lower anything with wheels will handle better on a smooth dip free road.... But that is not reality. There are also design considerations that make the TT more useful when not towing.

Most of us spend way more time actually camping in a TT than towing it... Even high milers like myself. Acceptable performance can be had without turning a TT into a low rider.... But hey, if you want to slalom race your TT.... It's a free country,
gmw_photos
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
Jack,
When you do these changes to your trailer, please post pictures as you do the mods, and let us know how this all works out when it's done. Some before and after testing regarding cornering forces and speeds would be instructional.

Call me curious.
Jackfate
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Because my trailer is old it is very low compared to newer type of trailers.

It handles much better than almost any trailer I have towed; and I have towed a lot of them. It handles like a slot car in back of the truck.

They don't make race cars low for no reason. It's simple physics.

Your preaching to the choir : )
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Because my trailer is old it is very low compared to newer type of trailers.

It handles much better than almost any trailer I have towed; and I have towed a lot of them. It handles like a slot car in back of the truck.

They don't make race cars low for no reason. It's simple physics.
Try camping in a race car.

For those thinking that wheels are the solution.... Be careful.
Though you won't drag as the wheels will roll... If the dip is severe enough you can remove a substantial amount of weight from the TT wheels... This can mean that the TT is only supported from the hitch ball, and the drag wheels.... Not good, especially with many of todays light frames.

They are where they are for a reason. In fact this is the first I have read of this. Every other thread is about raising them.

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Any one lower their tt

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