Anyone flipped trailer springs???

[Rogue Ram]

Two questions: just got a used 95 Aljo 28' pull behind... ... that sits kinda low. How difficult is it to flip the springs on these trailers? Can it even be done on this one? Don't know anyone nearby that has done this, but it would sure help with ground clearance.



Second question: what is everybody keeping handy for a jack to lift the trailer up if you get a flat??? My last trailer I just used a bottle jack, but thinking with this big of a rig, I may be smart to just put a floor jack in the storage compartment. Thoughts????



Thanks in advance,



Rogue

 

[Motorhead]

I have an Aljo 28 ft bunkhouse. I don't think that it would be any big deal to flip the springs except you will have to re weld the spring plates on top of the axels as the axels are arched and cannot just be turned upside down. I plan to use the truck jack if I ever need to change a tire on the trailer. If it can lift my truck, it sure can lift my trailer. Take a few 4x6 blocks if you need more height for the truck jack. Chris

 

[Bob Wagner]

here is a good flippin link

http://www.rverscorner.com/articles/axles1.html



Enjoy

 

[dmurdock]

I just bought new spring perches and welded them on top of the axle. . this way when I sell the trailer I can lower it back down easily if need be...

 

[Rogue Ram]

Outstanding..........

Thanks guys! This does look pretty easy... ..... except my pal the professional welder is living out of state at the moment. Bob, that is one outstanding link!!!



Would we use the new u bolts, nuts, and a saddle or perch from the manufacturer, or does someone make these aftermarket?



I think I could get this done on my own if I could get a welder to help out.



Thanks again!

 

[JPS]

FLIPPING AXLE

How do you make sure wheels are properly aligned? Thanks jps

 

[Motorhead]

Alignment

I'm sure the trailer mfgrs don't align them. If the perches are welded square to the axels, it should be close when you re-mount the springs to the axels.

 

[BK]

I've done a few just as dmurdock has described.



You don't want to flip anything, but you want to go from an axle that's over the springs to an axle thats under the springs by unbolting the ubolts, (1st remove your tires). cut your brake wires. with some help from another set of hands, slide the axles from off the top of the spring and down to the ground. Weld new axle perches exactly in line with the old perches... but the new ones are on the top side of the axle tube.



if you want to be real anal... use a level on the old perch. position the axle so the old perch is level and get the axle to stay that way. Now position the new perch on the other side of the axle tube, using a level... . get the new perch level on the tube. . hit on a tack weld or two, double check the levels. . of good, weld the new perch on.



Bolt up the axles, solder on (do not use crimp connections, the current is about 6 amps. . and you dont want to loose brakes from a bad crimp) extension wires for your brakes.



New perches can be bought from northern hydraulics or trailer shops.



You'll be sitting about 3 inches higher.



If you were to "flip" the axle you would screw up your camber... the axles have a slight bend in them for camber. So just moving the axle from over to under the spring wont screw up your alingment.

 

[dmurdock]

You actually don't have to weld the perchs on, but I would. Dexter axle sells their kit which doesn't need welding... it's just new perchs and really long u-bolts. What you do is just put the perch on (not welded), get u-bolts that are long enough to go around the axle, thru the new perch, and all the way down thru the old perch (this I believe is what dexter's kit does). You could then carefully tow the trailer somewhere to have the perch's welded for that extra bit of security.



Basically, without the weld, the perch us just held in there by the clamping force of the u-bolts, the same way our axle block spacers are held in on the rear of our trucks.



Edit:

nope, their kit does something else which I can't readily figure out by looking at the picture... here's the link (this is for a 2 3/8 tube, they also sell the same kit for a 3 in tube) :

http://www.dexteraxle.com/dexter_marketplace/product_info.php?kit_id=204

 

[Blu-meanie]

Back to the flat tire part..... You just place blocks under the good tire/axel and drive up on it. Don't need no jack.

 

[BK]

the difference between the space blocks on your rear axle and the perches on the trailer. . are that there are allready perches welded to the rear of your truck with a center pin. The truck's spacer block sits on the pin to keep it in place and then it's sandwiched between the springs and plate... with the U bolts.



On the trailer, there is no pin from an existing mount or perch to keep it in place. . for safety the new perches must be welded. I agree you could bolt it all together and carefully bring it someplace to be welded... but it must be welded.





About the flat tire... there is a half round piece of sorts made to put under the axle and then drive forward to lift the trailer. you can buy it at campingworld.com or your local trailer shop.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Get the kit

Kit from Dexter comes with locator ( welded Bolt with long therded female nut long about two in long to locate hight of new sadle . I did it one side at a time One side keeps axel aligned and no need to worry about alignment . You must cut and add some lenght to brake wires. Keep trailer hitched to truck for safty ,jack up one side trailer at a time ,keep wheel on side you work on next to one you will do first welding is suggested , do one spring purch and you will see how it goes . I welded mine with a wire welder and welded the locator nut in place . Do one side if tandem both on side , keep wheel on side you work on that way you have three wheels on ground all times (tandem) , having other side still hooked up keeps alighment of axel in proper align. Use heavy duty jacks and heavy jack stands block all wheels keep attached to truck . fallow instructions with kit except for doing one side at a time . I used three jacks two to jack up trailer frame . one to jack up axel side to work on . On tandem bouth ends of spring must be disconnected and was the hardest to do other than that all was easy . The axel is bent up ward and must stay in its up location . Doing one side at a time keeps this in place as other side is still aligned in place . Hope this helps Ron in LOUISVILLE KY Oo.

 

[BV]

Dexter Over/Under kit

I installed the Dexter Over/Under kit and gained 4. 5" which was just right. It's not a difficult job but I did spend a little extra time getting the new spring saddles lined up with the old ones.



Never had to change a tire on the road but I carry blocks just in case I have to.



EDIT: Purchased the Dexter kit at locall RV supply store.

 

[GGates]

I used the Dexter kit to do my Jayco 263RKS. It went well. I did weld brackets after installing just in case. You need 2 kits (one for each axle). You can order Kits on line from Dexter. You gain about 4 1/2 inches with 3" axle. Trailer is still very stable when towing.

 

[BGDUMMY]

I did the Dexter axle flip on my 94' Coachmen.

Very easy to do and I did not weld mine.

Used a grinder to cut the old U bolts off, so that made it faster and it was alot cheaper getting the kit from a local trailer repair/builder than from Dexter.

One of the top things that I have done to my camper, you won't believe how much of a burden it takes off of you knowing that you don't have to worry about dragging everytime you go for a tow.

 

[Rogue Ram]

Good Info!

Thanks guys! I'll be looking into this kit asap... ... as soon as I finish finding all the dead mice and mouse nests in this thing !!! Who knew... ... ...



BV: would Camping World or Curtis Trailers have these??? I'll prob give them a shot first... ... .....



Thanks again!

 

[BV]

over/under slung kits

Curtis on the East side (Powell blvd & 95th?) is the place I got mine. I also think that Six Robblees in Milwaukie might have them since they carry Dexter axels and brake parts.



Anything else I can do to help let me know.

 

[WestTN]

flipping trailer springs

I have done it and it is easy. Just go to Dexter Axle and order what you need. You will need to know the diameter of your axle tube.

http://www.dexteraxle.com/

 

[pwknapp]

Yes on the welding the new perchs. If not what keeps the axle from turning when you hit the brakes??

 

[BK]

pwknapp , I agree on the forces being applied to the axle tube and how they are controlled by the welded perch... bolted to the spring... mounted to the frame.

the nice round tube can rotate in the nice round perch.

more so with the axle setups that have a drop spindle bracket.



Thats way I weld all I"ve done.