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Member
Posts: 17
Location: Crandon, WI | Brought home new Lakota 8411 w/slide gvwr 17,500lbs and upon proceeding up the hill of my driveway, my spotter realized that the rear end was going to impact pavement before ascending the complete hill. No damage done, however, I'm presented with a problem; I can have the Lippert torsion axles replaced with extra 2" or 4" of clearance at $928 to $1,281 per axle, or insert 2" blocks between the bolted axles and trailer frame for approximately $300 by a local featherlite trailer dealer/mechanic etc.....A 2" lift should enable me to clear the driveway I believe. Trailer currently rides flat, adjusting the gooseneck down isn't an option as I have approximately 6" clearance on my 2019 ram 3500 bed.Any thoughts and recommendations from others on the forum are appreciated & elicited, thanks. |
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Expert
Posts: 2958
   
Location: North Carolina | Depending on the angle involved... Contact a paving company to place some asphalt to build up the driveway and lift the trailer end to clear. Prove the solution by placing some boards across the drive to lift the trailer wheels.
Edited by hosspuller 2020-04-02 6:47 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 170
Location: Minnesota | Manu of us did the 3" blocks when sides of trucks increased. $300 is a good deal. Also you'll get more clearance up front when you level the unit. |
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Member
Posts: 17
Location: Crandon, WI | Years ago I was quoted $14,000 for paving the entire driveway and while doable financially, given the amount of earth movement from freeze/thaw cycles that occurr around here, I would probably be expending a lot of money to keep the paved driveway from cracking etc......We elected to go with 2" blocks and install solid stainless roller wheels on the back end that are intended to impact the surface first before the actual trailer frame incurs damage. ETF approximately 2 weeks........ |
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New User
Posts: 3
| While 2" will help, 4" might be better. Either solution will make you the "ultimate vendor". In the event of a catastrophe, the manufacture may have argument against liability. So, you may want the manufacture to help by furnishing engineered drawings, or elect to do the work there.
The extra height will effect conveniently loading and unloading horses, plus stepping in and out of the living quarters. A ramp for the horses may be required. |
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Member
Posts: 17
Location: Crandon, WI | https://www.etrailer.com/Skid-Wheels/Ultra-Fab-Products/UF48-979023.... found and had these installed as well. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 804
Location: Tenn/Ala. | Did you block it? |
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Member
Posts: 17
Location: Crandon, WI | Yes, 2", in process now. |
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Location: Georgia | Is there a certain year that new trailers were redesigned to fit the new, higher bed rails or are all the manufacturers different? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 804
Location: Tenn/Ala. | All manufacturers are different, and different models from the same manufacturer may be different. The GN height, is a measurement that can be specified on the order form from many manufacturers.For years, a LQ trailer's nose was actually dropped 4" to allow more height in the bunk area. |
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Member
Posts: 17
Location: Crandon, WI | So between the 2" blocks and stainless steel rollers (2) on the back, this has solved the clearance problem ascending/descending my gravel driveway from the transition to/from the paved road. Thus far, the rollers touch for about 24" and then gain enough clearance the rest of the way. Good option for those seeking a solution to nasty driveways etc.....I have about 6" clearance at my truck rails at its lowest point as well. |
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Trailer Clearance Up/Down Driveway Hill
