Axle flip on low riding car trailer??

[BWagnaar]

I have a 96 16' dove tail car trailer with wooden deck. When the deck is level the rear of the trailer sits only about 6-10 above the ground. I have a Ruenel bumper (however you spell it) so the receiver sits higher than stock. I've already boughten two 6" dropped hitches for other trailers I tow. But when I hook on to the car trailer the 6" drop is not enough, the front is higher than the back which drops the dove tail even closer to the ground and it drags and hits on everything. I dont want to buy another 8-9" drop hitch just for this trailer cause i can use the 6" for everything else.



Has anyone done a axle flip to raise the back end up about 3"? If its safe to do it would be a perfect fix. The leaf spring sit below the axle, I would flip the axle and move the spring above the axle. I dont think it would raise too high.



Thanks

 

[JZellers]

You should be able to do it. You'd be going from what's called under-slung to over-slung spring mounting. A few things to keep in mind - Use new u-bolts and check all the shackles and equalizers. It's a perfect time to replace anything that's worn. You might also need to replace the center bolts in the springs. They have a round head that acts as a centering pin for the axle. The nut on the other end may or may not fit right in the centering hole in the spring plate on the axle.



Assuming you have drum brakes, make sure you rotate and/or swap the backing plates so that that your brake shoes are still correct.



Joe

 

[B.G. Smith]

Putting the springs above the axle is a common practic to raise the trailer. You don't actually "flip" the axle as most axle have a slight bow in them so they are straight when loaded to their rated loading. So you need to get a new set of spring perches for the top of the axle and the tie bolts in the springs will probably need to be changed as the end that fits in the perch and determines the correct location of the spring is round. If you do change the tie bolts, secure the springs leaves together before you remove the old tie bolts as the springs will sometime get too far apart to get the new bolts in. bg

 

[AClayton]

B. G. Smith is correct,you don't just flip the axles you will need to re-weld new perches on the axle-tube on top. You may leave the old ones where they are... no need to cut them off as you may decide to return to stock location later. This will raise your trailer approx. 4" so you will need to confirm that with the added height that brake wires will have adequate length for articulation. You probably have 2 3500lb axles in which case you will need 2 3/8 radius perches. If you have 5200lb or 600lb you will need 3 inch perches. You may purchase these at any Farm store or go to Redneck Trailer Supplies - the leading wholesale distributor of trailer supplies for assistance.

 

[JZellers]

The other guys are right - I hadn't thought about the camber built in to account for the load. Dexter makes an over/under relocation kit that should have everything you need except for the center bolts. AClayton also makes a good point in that depending on the height of the perches and the thickness of the spring pack, you could get a little more than 4" of lift rather than just 3 inches.



Joe

 

[BWagnaar]

Thanks guys, that has really shed some light on the project. Well I was hoping I could just unbolt it and than put all together with the axle below. It looks like it will be a weekend project. I like the dove tail cause it makes loading low cars nice, but when the trailer drags everywhere it drives me crazy!

 

[PaulWatkins]

And because you don't actually flip the axles you don't need to mess with the brakes.

 

[jelag]

I would consider before I moved the center of gravity of the trailer higher to get a larger offset stinger for your receiver... .

We made one that is at least 10-11" that we use with one of our trailers... ... it keeps the center of gravity where it needs to be, and a lot less money..... we reinforced the corners so that we have no flex in the assembly... .

Hope this helps...