Posted 2006-03-11 12:10 AM (#38643) Subject: lifting my trailer
Regular
Posts: 57 Location: Casa Grande Arizona
I've got a 97' sundowner and I want to get it lifted. I'm thinking about 3" or so. I looked underneath and it isn't that same as other trailers. It is all welded and not U-bolts. I'm wondering if it will be able to be lifted. A few more inches of clearance would be wonderful.
Posted 2006-03-11 6:59 AM (#38646 - in reply to #38643) Subject: RE: lifting my trailer
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by recurveman on 2006-03-11 1:10 AM
I've got a 97' sundowner and I want to get it lifted. I'm thinking about 3" or so. I looked underneath and it isn't that same as other trailers. It is all welded and not U-bolts. I'm wondering if it will be able to be lifted. A few more inches of clearance would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Chad
Oh, I may have touched on this in your other post ? Anywayzzzzz.
Torque-flex axles ?
Yes, it might well be that they are attached directly to the frame, i.e. no opportunities to block or turn over "axles" as with leaf springs.
Posted 2006-03-11 11:14 AM (#38654 - in reply to #38643) Subject: RE: lifting my trailer
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I've got a number of endurance friends that have sundowners and most of them have had their trailer lifted so they can get down rough forest service roads. I don't know the process. Maybe they had some kind of extension welded to the frame. But some how they are doing it.
Posted 2006-03-11 3:02 PM (#38662 - in reply to #38643) Subject: RE: lifting my trailer
Regular
Posts: 57 Location: Casa Grande Arizona
That is my thought. If the it is welded to the frame then I just need to make the frame taller. I don't see why it wouldn't work. Just sounds like a job for someone other than me. I would hate to see two axels going down the road and not have my trailer attached to them.
Posted 2006-03-13 11:20 PM (#38779 - in reply to #38643) Subject: RE: lifting my trailer
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Spanaway,Wa
I know I explained the process in other posts but when I bought my trailer the dealer offered to lift it for me for around $250. If you can't do it yourself that still sounds cheaper than repairing a bent bed rail..........
Posted 2006-03-14 7:17 AM (#38784 - in reply to #38643) Subject: RE: lifting my trailer
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by recurveman on 2006-03-11 11:10 PM
I've got a 97' sundowner and I want to get it lifted. I'm thinking about 3" or so. I looked underneath and it isn't that same as other trailers. It is all welded and not U-bolts. I'm wondering if it will be able to be lifted. A few more inches of clearance would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Chad
If you have a steel frame (valulite) it's an easy process. The Torflex axles are bolted to the frame. No "U" bolts involved.
If it's an aluminum trailer the axles are welded to the subframe. (not easy)
Posted 2006-03-14 10:58 AM (#38799 - in reply to #38643) Subject: RE: lifting my trailer
New User
Posts: 1
if you have torflex axles you might want to check out dexteraxle.com--theres some info about torsion arm angles--this is what changes the ride height of your trailer..
Posted 2006-03-14 10:35 PM (#38840 - in reply to #38643) Subject: RE: lifting my trailer
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Spanaway,Wa
Most Aluminum trailers have a steel sub-frame that the axles mount to. Usually the mounting pads on top of the torsion unit are only held on by small welds. I've seen similer setups on many different brands. Simply cutting loose the tack welds will allow you to jack the entire trailer up while the axles stay on the ground. Then all you do is slide in the appropriate size blocks and re-weld making sure everything is square. Not real complex but a little time consuming. I would post some pics but though I am a good welder I'm to stupid to work a computer.
Posted 2006-03-14 10:58 PM (#38841 - in reply to #38643) Subject: RE: lifting my trailer
Regular
Posts: 57 Location: Casa Grande Arizona
I found one guy that will do the job and straiten my bent torsion axel. He actually has a press big enough to straiten it. They basically are an axel shop.
They are going to put a sub frame under the trailer and reweld the axels back on.
They figured it woud cost about $400 or so out the door. I'm pretty happy with that.
Posted 2006-03-14 11:05 PM (#38844 - in reply to #38643) Subject: RE: lifting my trailer
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Spanaway,Wa
What the hey! $400 doesn't sound too bad if they do a good job. Any problems later you can let them fix it. If I have any problems I'll have to beat the crap outta myself.
lifting my trailer
