Community Forums

Hersh · 08-03-2005, 05:52 AM

Just bought a new TV (Dodge 1500) and it rides significantly higher than my TT (2002 Coleman aravan, dual axle). RV mechanic recently recommended that I "flip" my leaf spring axle links (not sure I'm using right terms?)to raise the trailer suspension.

Is this safe to do? If so, what's the best way to do this? Mechanic indicatd that I could remove the bolts holding the end of the leaf springs to the "link", let the link rotate downward, then re-attach the leaf spring.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hersh · 08-03-2005, 05:52 AM

Just bought a new TV (Dodge 1500) and it rides significantly higher than my TT (2002 Coleman aravan, dual axle). RV mechanic recently recommended that I "flip" my leaf spring axle links (not sure I'm using right terms?)to raise the trailer suspension.

Is this safe to do? If so, what's the best way to do this? Mechanic indicatd that I could remove the bolts holding the end of the leaf springs to the "link", let the link rotate downward, then re-attach the leaf spring.

Any help would be appreciated.

TXiceman · 08-03-2005, 08:20 AM

Why not just get a dropped receiver shank for the truck?

Ken

Hersh · 08-03-2005, 08:36 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TXiceman:
Why not just get a dropped receiver shank for the truck?

Ken </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That was my first plan, but the mechanic indictated that the rig would handle better if the TV & TT were roughly the same height. Does this make sense??

After he suggested this, I thought it would also be nice to have the extra ground clearance on the TT. It sits pretty low right now.

SteveB · 08-03-2005, 10:58 AM

If you don't have a problem with the back of the trailer scraping the road then the drop hitch is the most cost effective route.
However, flipping the axles does not appear to cause any problems other than the bottom step is higher. My 5th wheel w/ "flipped" axles tows w/o problems.
SteveB

melon · 08-05-2005, 07:13 AM

I have had two 5ers with flipped axles and have had no problems. It's a solution you can fix in your driveway with the right tools and a few hours. The only drag is you might have to to from a two steps entry to a three step. Other than that it's a cheap fix.

Rod

TQ 27 · 08-09-2005, 11:27 AM

I don't know why you would want to raise the height of your trailer when a drop hitch would be cheaper and in my opinion safer. How by raising the trailers roll center could it not have a negative effect on handling,by making it more top heavy and easier to roll over. The other drawback to raising the trailer would be the increased wind drag.

RustyJC · 08-09-2005, 11:48 AM

Something else to consider is that flipping the leaf spring shackles as your mechanic suggested puts the shackles in compression instead of tension, as they were designed to operate. The shackles will buckle in column loading in compression at a significantly lower load than they would pull apart in tension.

Rusty

Paul Heuvelhorst · 08-09-2005, 07:39 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> That was my first plan, but the mechanic indictated that the rig would handle better if the TV & TT were roughly the same height. Does this make sense?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, it doesn't make any sense. One of the first "laws" of towing is that both the tow vehicle and the trailer are <span class="ev_code_RED">level.</span> If the trailer rides lower, and level, in relation to the TV, its center of gravity is lower, making it more stable and easier to tow.

Take the advice of those of us who have and are dropping the hitch to level the towing height of the trailer. My rig currently drops the hitch, and it is a weight distribution hitch, approx. 6" to tow level.

Hersh · 08-11-2005, 11:22 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RustyJC:
Something else to consider is that flipping the leaf spring shackles as your mechanic suggested puts the shackles in compression instead of tension, as they were designed to operate. The shackles will buckle in column loading in compression at a significantly lower load than they would pull apart in tension.

Rusty </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's one of the issues I was worried about, i.e. changing the way the suspension would handle loads.

Thanks for all the info. Think I'll just lower my WD hitch another notch or two.

markclement · 10-24-2005, 07:45 PM

Flipping the leaf springs is a common practus here on Long Island in NY. We tow our trailers on to our beaches and the exrta clearence is a plus. I have never heard of any problems related to doing this.