DTSFab.com (Desert, Trail and Sand)
Machinery, Trailers, Toyhaulers and Motorhomes => Trailers, Toyhaulers and Motorhomes => Topic started by: dsrace on May 13, 2018, 08:22:39 AM
-
can anyone think of or know a reason why drop axles shouldn't/can't be used on a camper?
-
reason i ask is i have to do something with my fifthwheel toyhauler camper. the wheels have struck the floor a few times now and it has to stop before it catchs fire. the factory never left enough room for clearance. i only about 3" between the floor and tires so fast suggested flipping the axles or adding a leaf to stiffen them up. both are an option however flipping them or putting them under the leaf springs rather than over ( as they are now over) would lift the unit about 6" if i go to 16" rims. that makes the ramp gate waaaaay to steep. i have no issues installing wheel wells. this would solve my current issue but also want to go to 16" rims with 235 /80 x 16" tires as i have 225 x15" on there now. 3" tall wheel well would be plenty and no issues fitting between them either so no biggy was just thinking with 4" drop axles i could shed 4" of the 6" that flipping them and going to a 3" larger od wheel would add.
-
I have had drop axles on several trailers . Some have been flipped up and some down. No reason at all not to use them. Just be sure the perches are welded on correctly or there can be wheel alignment issues though. Not all axles are created equal. FWIW,I'd stay with Dexter.
-
what i have now are 5200 lb dexter axles. lci (lippert) bought dexter a while ago but i planned on sticking with dexter. i know i can go to 6k lb axles and re use my brakes. now according to dexter, there needs to be a min of 1" clearance between the tires which i would have going to the larger wheel. not sure how comfortable i would be with that but the alternative would be to cut the front and rear perch off and move them to install longer leaf springs as the larger wheels are suppose to have. according to etailer there is suppose to be 4" between them. https://www.etrailer.com/question-163957.html that's no big deal and i can make a small jig to capture those locations re using the center location. won't be fun and will take a bit of time and i know i will need to check the alignment after words. there is a company in town that does alignments on big and small trailers, they cold bend the axles last i knew. there alignment kits you can add to the perches but they lift it 2" and i'm not wanting to go up any higher lol the simple thing to do would be to put 4 to 5" tall wheel wells in, go with 6k lb straight axles ( on top the leaf spring) and check clearance between tires. i know i don't currently have an alignment issue as the original tires lasted 5 years. my only thought was if i was going to go drop axles and move everything for max clearance to floor, frame etc etc then i would just go to the 6k's for peace of mind.
-
i cannot find that article in the faq section on dexters site now. they changed somethings and looks like a fair portion of there faq section is just gone. i can say right now i only have maybe at the most 3" between the tires now. interesting thing was i emailed dexter asking about drop axles on trailers and also etrailer. dexter never replied and etrailer had to go ask someone 4 diff times and still never gave a def yes or no lol. but no matter how you look at it, the axles on this unit weren't right from forest river however there is no warranty anymore as it's a 2012 model.
-
Up the axle rating. Make sure the inflated diameter of the tires you will use before deciding on relocating any hangers. Upping the spring rate will make for a lot more roughness to the ride of the trailer if not needed to carry the load. What tires are you planning on running? LT's or ST's? IMO almost all ST's are junk with a few exceptions in the higher ratings. Price has almost zero to do with the tires quality for the most part.
-
st tires.....found 2 companies that actually rate them for 75 mph. if i have to flip the axle it will go to stronger axles for sure. if i do all this i want the larger wheels for all things considered.
-
i have thought about buying another one but this one is paid for! it def needs atleast 2" more ground clearence as i have ripped of 3 sets of stabilizer scissor jacks in my yard and a driveway in great bend kansas and the filling station in hot lava springs id lol there are literally pieces of my th'er across the US lol i really think 4" drop axles under the leaf springs will get the job done. probably have to still put atleast 3" tall wheel wells in even for that.
-
Just buy the LingLongs and never again worry about your tires-ever. LingLong F835 235/85-16 14 ply rating.
-
Instead of buying drop axles you could just add a section of 4" x? tube to the frame and remount the hangers. IMO,that would be a much better option.
-
the purpose of the 4" drop was to put the axles under the leaf springs with out lifting the the camper 6". it would only be a 2" lift with the 4" drop axles.
-
i may just have to try the ling longs
-
If you can I would avoid using the drop axles .
-
why avoid the drop axles? also was looking at the timbren axless system. asr1200s01 system. i'll have to post a direct link when i get back. dont know how to do that from a phone.
-
so i called timbren, i can buy direct and asr7ks01 is the p/n# for there 7k axless axles systems lol $783 per pair so 2 pair for a tandem axle. plus $130 for brakes if mine dont swap. so really not a bad price. so i need to study there cad spec sheet and compare to my current to know for sure but might just work. they still run a square tube from left to right to support them that way too.
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=B4q7UhgtV6M
-
http://timbren.com/blog/products-page/asr7ks01/
http://timbren.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ASR400-7000-Dims-Specs-Imperial-Rev032918.pdf
http://timbren.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ASR520070003500HD-Instructions-Rev041515.pdf
-
here are the diff weight class's
http://timbren.com/axle-less-product-finder/
-
I'm at LS. I'll respond tonight.
-
I used a set of the timbren load leaving blocks years ago. I had a big slip in camper. that was way to much for my half ton truck. they worked well and road great. it was just a rubber block that came down an set on top of the axle. don't know if this helps DS but its my 2 cents. :m
-
I'm at LS. I'll respond tonight.
So does this mean your car is running aging ? OR your working on the new house in paradise.
-
Fooking working.
-
I used a set of the timbren load leaving blocks years ago. I had a big slip in camper. that was way to much for my half ton truck. they worked well and road great. it was just a rubber block that came down an set on top of the axle. don't know if this helps DS but its my 2 cents. :m
i had actually considered adding those to my axles but i just need to make the switch as i plan on keeping this for some time. i will have to measure there specs and compare to my current axle locations. just going from memory i think i'll need to 2" lift set vs strait or 4" drop. i priced out straight axles in the 6k lb range and roughly $350 per axle plus shipping.
-
OK,finally responding to the Timbren things. It would appear to me that they would be very prone to wear in the pivot bushing creating havoc with tire wear. I am thinking a maintenance PITA . Just my .02 and I would not personally use them.
-
i can see that and depending on quality and material of that bushing coulde be more wear than the cheap plastic ones stock in leaf springs.