"Flipping the springs on 5'er"

[Driftwood Ram]

Wes,
I was down at my local welding/rv hitch etc. shop today and they told me about a "walking rail",at least that is what I think they said. It replaces the equalizer and will give you about 1. 5"-2" of lift without "flipping the axles". If this is something you would be interested in I will follow up with better information. You can post here or e-mail me direct if you want.

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96 2500 4x4 Driftwood auto Waren 4x boards pyro,boost,trans temp on a piller mag hytec trans

 

[1BIG44]

Tracy,
That sure sounds like it would gain me the height that I need, but I am confused a little I guess. I don't know for sure what you mean by "replaces the equalizer"?
Don't go through much trouble, but I would like to know more.
Thanks,
Wes

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2001 Quad Cab 4x4 ETH

 

[DJOliver]

Had to add 3" blocks in my 5 ver to make it ride level--Dealer picked up the tab--the rig sits high but pulls fine. Leave it down at Hatterias NC. alot but with this one i don't have to worry about high water.

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2001 3500 HO 6 spdHD 4x4 Quad SLT 2BG Silver Metallic Tow Group,Camper Special 3. 54, western nerf bars, Towing 99 Damon Challenger 5ver 31' Need :Guages, aux fuel tank,exhaust brake, tow mirrors & Cb radio.

2000 Dodge Intrepid R/T. Wife loves it.

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

Originally posted by Daves350:
Had to add 3" blocks in my 5 ver to make it ride level

Did the dealer fabricate the blocks and U-bolts or are they available from a manufacturer?

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Wes:
I'll check this week and get back to you. No trouble.

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96 2500 4x4 Driftwood auto Waren 4x boards pyro,boost,trans temp on a piller mag hytec trans

 

[DJOliver]

Boldt's Wagoon--the bocks and u-bolts were installed at a local shop as per Damons instructions. (Manufactor). I was worried at first about how high the rig became but after one season of towing everything turned out ok.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Wes;
It is realy called a "walking beam". It replaces the "equalizer" which bolts to the center hanger and is between the shackle links on a tandem axle trailer. This should give you the 1. 5" to 2" lift you are looking for. Go into a r. v. shop that does spring or axle work and ask them about it. If they do not know what you are talking about walk out and go somewhere else. Hope this helps.

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96 2500 4x4 Driftwood auto Waren 4x boards pyro,boost,trans temp on a piller mag hytec trans

 

[1BIG44]

Thanks Tracy for the info. I'll certainly be checking into the walking beam.
Wes

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2001 Quad Cab 4x4 ETH

 

[TowPro]

Dextor makes a kit for doing this. It includes new "U" bolts, and a set of new spring purches. (my dealers got them for me, but I have seen them on there web site) The new purches have this trick bolt/long nut design that tightens up against the old welded on purches so you don't have to weld anything. I installed them on my last 5th when I was towing with my 4WD (now I have 2wd). It raised it about 4" and Cost about $20. 00 per axle.

This allowes you to keep your axle "right side up". You never want to "flip" the axle because there is a spring affect to the axle that keeps the camber straight with all that weight on them. Several years ago, I saw a camper down the Outerbanks that the guy had turned the axle upside down. The bottom of the wheels stuck out like an old VW bug with a fat lady in the back seat!



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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

[BGDUMMY]

TOWPRO,
How long did you tow with this set-up?
I am getting ready to purchase this kit, but I thought I saw something that they "highly recommended" that they be tack welded.

 

[pwr2tow]

whats the name of dextors web site.

 

[BGDUMMY]

BV's post above has the link to Dexter.

 

[TowPro]

I used it about 3 seasons. It was a 30' Rockwood Wildwood that weighed about 5500 empty, 7500 lb loaded. (yes, I had it on a scale). For 2 years I used my Cummins to pull it so I moved it like it was not even there! I towed it through fields and rutted out dirt roads several times to get to one of my campsites. I used to keep an eye on the spring mounts, and never had problems with them. And Personaly, I think the rig towed better when it was higher then low. When it was low, the angle I had to tow at (to clear the truck bed) transfered too much weight off the hitch that I actualy had some sway in a 5th wheel! One day after I first got the 5th wheel, I hit the truck bed on the camper overhang frame, after the mess that made, I quit fooling around and lifted the 5er.

Originally posted by BGDUMMY:
TOWPRO,
How long did you tow with this set-up?
I am getting ready to purchase this kit, but I thought I saw something that they "highly recommended" that they be tack welded.