Anyone ever lift their travel trailer?

CoachBoone · 05-10-2006, 03:16 PM

Took my 32' Jayco in for some minor body damage repair......some clown at our storage site scraped me as he was backing in his 5th wheel.
While we were going over repairs to be done, I noticed a sign offering a lift for TTS, runs about $400. I talked to them about it and went for it based on the fact that I've already bent the back frame on the left once, and broke off the caster on the other side when I bottomed out while towing. They basically flip the axle, putting the saddle and springs that were on the under side of the axle on top, giving it roughly 4" of lift.
Has anyone else ever done this? I talked to the technician and he said that while it does raise the center of gravity a little, it shouldn't cause any problems. He did acknowledge that it now sits very low, not sure why they made it that way. It's a Jayco Qwest 324G

*TitanFan59* · 05-10-2006, 03:33 PM

One thing I liked with my old Dutchmen, it sat high. I've seen some being towed however that I've often wondered how they get them in and out of some of the hillier campgrounds and such. I don't think you'll have a problem with it at all just reversing the spring. A shackle extender would work as well I think...

Bend · 05-10-2006, 03:33 PM

Don't flip the axle!!!

The axles are pre-stressed downwards on the ends to be level with the weight of the trailer.. If you flip it (them) your tires will never track correctly (cambered in I beleive).

If you want the trailer raised do it by putting the leaf springs on top of the axle by making new brackets/plates and welding them on the TOP of the axle. Leave the axle in the origional position.

ETA: pre and TOP

*TitanFan59* · 05-10-2006, 03:35 PM

He's just going spring over instead of spring under if I understood correctly...

Bend · 05-10-2006, 03:46 PM

CB said-

"They basically flip the axle, putting the saddle and springs that were on the under side of the axle on top, giving it roughly 4" of lift."

That is more then just spring over.

Spring over is fine. IMO, flipping the axle is a no, no.

Stoobie's Titan · 05-10-2006, 03:52 PM

I'd think flipping the axle, and a spring-over would essencially be the same thing, no? the brackets are placed on top by flipping the axle over. Wish it was that easy for my Jeep...lol

*TitanFan59* · 05-10-2006, 04:00 PM

Actually they will just reverse the u bolts and instead of the spring being held in place by them under they will hold it in place from the top. Though his explanation was a bit out there I think this is what he was meaning.

Bend · 05-10-2006, 05:06 PM

59-

I've editted my post and hope it is more clear.

Its fine to put the springs on top of the axle as it is. Flipping the axle, then placing the springs on top can cause problems with the tires.

*TitanFan59* · 05-10-2006, 05:13 PM

I'm with you 100% on that, I wouldn't want the axle flipped over either. My Dutchmens axles had a little bend to them from big bumps on the interstate and such. I think it might be a bit tough to realign them and as you say get the camber/toe angle right.

cynic05 · 05-10-2006, 05:49 PM

All standard R V trailer axles have a bend in them, that is their torsion so to speak. The bend is what helps to absorb the road shock weight load etc.. To flip the axles as we have done many times before is to place them under the leaf spring rather than on top of them. This is done by moving the related hardware to the under side of the axle with the axle itself, but gets sticky if you have shocks. We stopped doing it a long time ago because of stories of axles flying off because of support issues to the springs. It can be done sucessfully if the suspension system you have is right for it. Be sure your tech is famillar with this kind of mod and be sure they will stand behind their work!! My two experienced cents and good luck ! Oh by the way the camber etc is all in the welding of the backing plate mounts from the get go, not much you can do to change that after the fact!!

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 05-10-2006, 08:00 PM

I've only heard of raising 5th wheels myself. I'd be affraid of being too top heavy. I have a 32.5' Jayco myself and it's TAAAAAALLL already!

CoachBoone · 05-11-2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

I've only heard of raising 5th wheels myself. I'd be affraid of being too top heavy. I have a 32.5' Jayco myself and it's TAAAAAALLL already!

Can you post some pics of yours, Hudson?

kartman · 05-11-2006, 12:38 PM

Doing a spring under to over coversion is fine but if they really do flip the axle that sounds sketchy.

ReconTitan · 05-11-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachBoone

Took my 32' Jayco in for some minor body damage repair......some clown at our storage site scraped me as he was backing in his 5th wheel.
While we were going over repairs to be done, I noticed a sign offering a lift for TTS, runs about $400. I talked to them about it and went for it based on the fact that I've already bent the back frame on the left once, and broke off the caster on the other side when I bottomed out while towing. They basically flip the axle, putting the saddle and springs that were on the under side of the axle on top, giving it roughly 4" of lift.
Has anyone else ever done this? I talked to the technician and he said that while it does raise the center of gravity a little, it shouldn't cause any problems. He did acknowledge that it now sits very low, not sure why they made it that way. It's a Jayco Qwest 324G

Seems like most all of them I see here in AZ are lifted. My friend has a 32 footer and it's lifted.

CoachBoone · 05-11-2006, 03:14 PM

Talked to the service guy this afternoon. He said they call it a flip but they don't really flip it. They relocate the springs up top like it was mentioned above. Better to be paranoid than sorry, I always say.