suspension

[huskym1025]

I am looking for any info on raising the clearance a few more inches on my 2000 travel trailer. Has anyone done this before? Thanks!

[Ron3rd]

Huntindog wrote:
If your springs are already over the axles, you can use lift blocks. I have done this on two TTs with excellent results.. As with any mod, it needs to be done right. I made my own blocks out of 1/2 " steel that I welded together 3 of for pieces with 1.5-2" of lift . Welded in a piece of steel rod for the mount and drilled a hole on the other side opposite it. If doing this, you may need longer U bolts. I wouldn't go too crazy with the amount of lift either.

Good point and something to check. If your leafs are on top of the axle, you need lift blocks and maybe longer u-bolts. If under the axle, you can flip the axle to the top of the springs as noted above.

[Huntindog]

If your springs are already over the axles, you can use lift blocks. I have done this on two TTs with excellent results.. As with any mod, it needs to be done right. I made my own blocks out of 1/2 " steel that I welded together 3 of for pieces with 1.5-2" of lift . Welded in a piece of steel rod for the mount and drilled a hole on the other side opposite it. If doing this, you may need longer U bolts. I wouldn't go too crazy with the amount of lift either.

[fairfaxjim]

If you have leaf spring suspension, flipping the axles will give you several inches of lift. I have a Milan 18CK that I have flipped. Subsequently changed axles to Al-Ko 3,500# axles with 3" tube option (over standard 2 3/8" tube - I bent the stock axles) Was able to keep same spindle size so hubs and brakes were interchangeable. Also added Dexter EZ-Flex equalizer w/wet bolts. If I remember correctly I gained about 5" lift. It already had 15" wheels, so no wheel size change.
We go over some nasty desert roads so I also added a skid bar under the sewer connection and removed the rear stabilizer jacks and installed "Save-A-Jack" removable mounts. I now have LOTS of ground clearance and the rear is clear of anything that can be damaged if it does drag.
You may have to add a step unit with an additional step. Mine already had two steps, so not TOO high on that first step, but can get to be a pretty long reach with uneven terrain.

[michigancougar]

I am having dexter custom make some 4" drop axles upside down (saddles correctly installed) , new springs, brakes, to raise my 5er. was ready to spend about the same money on adding 6" of steel between frame and shackles but this will give me all new running gear. besides my axles are already on top of my axles so no gain in flipping and not enough gain in correct track. I am also increasing the axle weight rating as the 2004 cougars had marginal axles from the factory to begin with. current springs are about flat so think I will gain another inch + with springs that actually arch like they should.

just another option to add to the brainstorming

[RVcircus]

I have 2 Dexter axle flip kits sitting in the garage waiting to be installed next weekend. They make 2 different sizes, so you need to measure your axle tube to pick the right one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008OADK9G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[huskym1025]

AH64ID wrote:
In addition to flipping the axles some trailers have multiple attachment points they can use.

Any pics of your suspension?

I haven't had a chance to take any pictures yet. Going to do some preventive maintenance on it tomorrow. Will take a few pics then.

[Lowsuv]

We " boondock" camp and need extra clearance .
I have my trailer nose a couple of inches lower than level .
But I have an HD 2500 pickup with a stiffer rear suspension .
So my pickup limits how far down the TT tongue can go .
Plus my critical drains are at the rear of the TT .
We ford a few " vados " ( gullies ) and I need the extra couple of inches height at the rear of the trailer .
The net result is that the center of gravity on the trailer is not significantly higher on the open road so the trailer handles like it is supposed to .
I also went up a tire size and this increased my clearance also by 17 /32 of an inch .

[PhilipB]

We "flipped" the axles on our 30 TT we used to own. It didn't have slide outs and sat pretty low. Raised it about 4 inches. Made a huge difference. We were also dragging spring bars, but we had a Hensley hitch, which positions bars a bit lower than most WD hitches.

Great modification for us.

Most RV shops should be able to handle this.

[AH64ID]

In addition to flipping the axles some trailers have multiple attachment points they can use.

Any pics of your suspension?

[Ron3rd]

Some folks flip the axles, a popular mod. Google the topic and you'll get lots of hits. Youtube probably has vids on it too.