flipped & chipped

Keep in mind the real-life height of that first step varies IN USE based on:
* Location of the door on the TT
* How level the site is front-to-back (think rear-door TT with a site that slopes down in the back)
* If you needed blocks for side-to-side leveling
* Does the site have the TT in gravel, but you can be parked next to a concrete pad

In other words, one camping trip we can have a 4" step up and other trips it is a 12" step up (whether or not my axle is flipped). So we pack an extra step that can sit on the ground when one of those bigger gaps needs to be mitigated.

So please don't rule out keeping axles flipped just because of the step height based on where the trailer is sitting while you are shopping.

Hey guys I am checking back here to read your comments. Indeed the trailer is raised some and my 5 foot 4 inch wife has a bit of a hike to get in the rig. Fortunately it has the large grab handle which helped her get in there. I am still researching the chipped paint thing, I enrolled in the Forest River Forum group and posted that question over there. Looks like paint chipping is fairly common with road debris and such. I may put mud flaps on the tow vehicle. Thanks

Doug33 wrote:
If an axle is straight, how do you "flip" it? Are you altering the springs or suspension parts?

The axle itself is not flipped. That term refers to mounting the spring pack either above or below the axle.

Most trailers come with their axles mounted above the springs. This results in a lower sitting trailer. "Flipping" the axles comes about when the axles are moved to mount below the springs.

This will usually raise the trailer body and frame up about 4 or more inches giving more ground clearance. I believe special kits are available to make this possible.

Also, just for information, a "straight" axle is really not straight at all. It has a slight bow or curve to it just like the drop types do. When it is "flipped" that bow still is upwards as it would be before the "flipping" took place.
Barney

If an axle is straight, how do you "flip" it? Are you altering the springs or suspension parts?

Just a comment but if I flipped the axles on mine I'd need a step ladder to get in lol. Maybe they were flipped at the factory for me, but my buddys that we camp with all are much lower to the ground...its highly visible. I guess im lucky though because I'd probably have a heck of a time getting it in the drive if it was lower...

nephi007 wrote:
So the guy said he flipped the axles to do boondocking. The tires are Trail America 205 75 R 15 load range c. The brand new spare same thing. I checked the DOT expecting week of year and year manufactured but it said: DOT AAUI RTT. They are steel belted radials no doubt made in China. I did not take pictures of the chips on front. So I am getting the idea that flipping is ok and does not compromise the integrity of the trailer. We r gonna talk to him again in a day or two.

Axle flipping is a somewhat common procedure and done to increase clearance under rig.
As far as China tires most tire makers make tires in China including Michelin. The problem is with no name Chinese tires without any Quality control program. Before an argument starts Michelin does not send Chinese tires to the USA

So the guy said he flipped the axles to do boondocking. The tires are Trail America 205 75 R 15 load range c. The brand new spare same thing. I checked the DOT expecting week of year and year manufactured but it said: DOT AAUI RTT. They are steel belted radials no doubt made in China. I did not take pictures of the chips on front. So I am getting the idea that flipping is ok and does not compromise the integrity of the trailer. We r gonna talk to him again in a day or two.

The axle flip is sometimes done to provide more clearance when entering and exiting driveways etc. Sometimes people will add to the skids at the rear bumper or install real small guide wheels. I flipped my FW and give it extra consideration as the center of gravity is higher. I pay attention to the wind speed and direction also.

You can have the springs put back under the axle but try to mock up what it will do to your ride height. If you get under there and study it a little you will see that you will be lowering the trailer by this amount: the axle radius + the perch bracket (bracket that is welded to the round axle tube and rests against the spring) + the spring thickness. Your new center line above the spring will be those 3 things added together. So if your axle is 3 in diameter (1.5 R) + 1 inch perch + 2 inch spring= 4.5 in

Check your tire size also as they could have changed those too. I went from 15" to 16" when flipping so as to use LT tires instead of bombs.

Pictures?