Has anyone else 'lifted' their trailer to create more space between the truck and the GN part of your trailer? I purchased a 2015 Chevy Silverado one ton dually 4X4 and have a 2013 Exiss 6310 (3H with a 10' LQ). When my coupler is adjusted so the trailer is perfectly level I have about 6 inches of clearance and it is not enough. I have hit the GN on the truck trying to get into an uneven driveway. So my options seem to be buy a flatbed body or put spacers above my axels to lift the trailer. I know the flatbed is the sure thing but it is also literally 10 times more expensive. So I would like to hear from people that have done the spacer on the axel. How did it work out? Do you notice a difference hauling? Would you do it again? If you have a ramp did it make a big difference in the angle of the ramp? Thanks in advance for any advice.Tammy
Posted 2016-04-07 3:58 PM (#166678 - in reply to #166675) Subject: RE: Trailer "lift kit"
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Chichester
Thanks for the link.Still in search of someone that has 'lifted' their trailer or 'flipped the axels' to get their point of view on rather or not this is a good fix.
Posted 2016-04-07 6:24 PM (#166681 - in reply to #166672) Subject: RE: Trailer "lift kit"
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
We block axles quite often nowadays. Your axles are fastened to a steel axle trolley which is than bolted to th e aluminum trailer frame. Spacers will raise the frame. Your ramp will be a bit steeper, but you may not even notice it. The cost is mostly time and labor.
Posted 2016-04-07 6:49 PM (#166685 - in reply to #166672) Subject: RE: Trailer "lift kit"
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
How do you know that flipping/blocking your axles will fix the problem? You will then have to block every trailer you put with the truck. Find a used flatbed, spray it with bed liner and call it a day if money is a concern... Are you sure you have really shopped the flatbed market in your area? You can get a basic one new around here for $1500, skirted with boxes is $3500. The junk yard is your friend.
Posted 2016-04-07 8:36 PM (#166688 - in reply to #166672) Subject: RE: Trailer "lift kit"
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
It all depends on how the axles are fastened to the trailer. Some axles are welded to the axle box. In my case they were bolted on. Longer grade 8 bolts & grade 8 nuts... plus 3 inch x 1/4 wall square tubing... Lifted my trailer to level with 10 inches between the bottom of neckover and top of tailgate. I've used every bit of it crossing RR tracks.PS ... torsion axles can't be flipped for more or less height.
Posted 2016-04-08 8:35 AM (#166689 - in reply to #166672) Subject: RE: Trailer "lift kit"
Veteran
Posts: 108 Location: Lawrence KS
Many people also block the axles to gain more ground clearance under the trailer so water tanks and plumbing do not drag the ground. It is very common to raise the trailer using this method.
Posted 2016-04-08 9:17 AM (#166690 - in reply to #166685) Subject: RE: Trailer "lift kit"
Member
Posts: 37 Location: Upstate NY
I don't think you would have to block every trailer to fix the problem, so blocking the horse trailer may be a fine option.Many equipment trailers don't have the wide front end like many horse trailers and even if you do have one a level deck on an equipment trailer isn't as crucial as a horse trailer so you can adjust the hitch down a pin or two to push the front of the trailer up a bit
Posted 2016-04-08 1:03 PM (#166693 - in reply to #166672) Subject: RE: Trailer "lift kit"
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Blocking horse trailers is common because of the torsion axles. If the trailer is not level, the axels don't share the load equally. A torsion axel trailer low in the back is loading the rear axel more than the front axel. Tire problems usually result. I would say most equipment trailers have spring axels. They have an equalizer that allows the axels to share the load regardless of the trailer frame angle.OP ... The trailer does not have to be "perfectly" level. In fact a slight rise in the front is desired to run the urine out the back.
Trailer "lift kit"
