Hello everyone!I would like to be able to gain some added ground clearance on my 2010 Starcraft 176RB. Of course it can't be as simple as an axle flip kit. My trailer is equipped with a Dexter Torflex axle...Is it possible to increase ground clearance with this axle? If so, what are my options.Thanks,Daniel

I don't think it's possible with the SAME axle...even if you blocked the trailer up somehow and raised the body, the clearance of the axle itself would stay the same.If there's room in the wheel wells, putting taller wheels/tires on might gain you an inch or two.

Here is a shot of mine.. There is a 'block' that's welded to the frame and also to the axle assembly itself.But, you can put a larger block in there, but the axle would still run the same distance from the ground. All you will accomplish is raising the frame for more clearance, but not the axle itself..I've thought about doing this myself, as raising the frame would help me where I park the thing (getting up from the street to the steep drive way), but it's not been enough to prompt me to do it! :)Mitch

Sorry guys...ground clearance was the wrong wording...I want to raise the frame. Not too concerned about increasing clearance between the axle and the ground. Just want to be able to back the trailer into my in-laws driveway without hitting the triangles welded to the frame to protect the plumbing.So the blocking you mentioned is exactly what I am looking for.Is there a kit available to accomplish this? Or is something I would have to fabricate myself? If so, I don't have the skills or tools to accomplish it.

Any competent welding shop could do this for you- just make sure to go to one that's done trailer axles before. It's important to get that puppy on straight.Since your main concern is really driveways rather than off-roading, another perhaps simpler solution might be some of those wheels one attaches to the back bumper that lift the back end a bit when in such circumstances.

We have a VERY good machine shop that does lots of that sort of modifications. Should be right up their alley for any competent shop to design and fabricate. Measure CAREFULLY though and do the computations to be sure it's going to make enough difference to be worth the expense.

Lifting Starcraft trailer equipped with Torflex Axle

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
I don't think it's possible with the SAME axle...even if you blocked the trailer up somehow and raised the body, the clearance of the axle itself would stay the same.

If there's room in the wheel wells, putting taller wheels/tires on might gain you an inch or two.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Jul 16, 2013
Here is a shot of mine.. There is a 'block' that's welded to the frame and also to the axle assembly itself.

But, you can put a larger block in there, but the axle would still run the same distance from the ground. All you will accomplish is raising the frame for more clearance, but not the axle itself..

I've thought about doing this myself, as raising the frame would help me where I park the thing (getting up from the street to the steep drive way), but it's not been enough to prompt me to do it! :)

Mitch
08trdoffroad
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
Sorry guys...ground clearance was the wrong wording...I want to raise the frame. Not too concerned about increasing clearance between the axle and the ground. Just want to be able to back the trailer into my in-laws driveway without hitting the triangles welded to the frame to protect the plumbing.

So the blocking you mentioned is exactly what I am looking for.

Is there a kit available to accomplish this? Or is something I would have to fabricate myself? If so, I don't have the skills or tools to accomplish it.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
Any competent welding shop could do this for you- just make sure to go to one that's done trailer axles before. It's important to get that puppy on straight.

Since your main concern is really driveways rather than off-roading, another perhaps simpler solution might be some of those wheels one attaches to the back bumper that lift the back end a bit when in such circumstances.
skipnchar
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
We have a VERY good machine shop that does lots of that sort of modifications. Should be right up their alley for any competent shop to design and fabricate. Measure CAREFULLY though and do the computations to be sure it's going to make enough difference to be worth the expense.
popeyemth
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
Lower the tongue to raise the rear to get in the driveway.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 16, 2013
On that small a single axle trailer I'd just mount a pair of these on the back. Why make it harder/higher to get into the trailer?
Hoosierdaddy47
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
My concern about the "wheelie bars" on the bumper is that, for a moment or two, the weight of the entire trailer might be on the hitch and the bumper. Dunno if either would be strong enough...
08trdoffroad
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
I just found this on Amazon. I wonder if it would work with my axle...

http://www.amazon.com/Casita-Dexter-Torflex-Torsion-Axle/dp/B0092TU2GM

I would really like the added clearance other areas as well so I am not really interested in just putting casters on the rear portion of the frame, but thanks for the suggestion.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
That would probably work- is yours a Dexter #10, too? (usually stamped on axle center)

Looks a lot like what a previous poster put pics up of...the one thing that may be Casita-specific is the bolt holes. You'd want to measure to make sure those match your bolt patterns. That assumes of course that your axle is bolted rather than welded on as some are.