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08-23-2013, 05:45 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2013 22' FB Sport
Wichita
, Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 71
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Additional Ground Clearance Options
Anyone have any reasonable ideas for raising the ground clearance on a 2013 22' Sport? We took our on a several hundred mile trip and were amazed at how are gas station selections were not based on price or apparent cleanliness, but instead by the approach angle of the drive. Even getting it out of the driveway is an extremely delicate situation. I know that the low ground clearance is best for stability and fuel efficiency, but I'd like an extra couple inches of clearance. On the same subject, anyone know how big of a tire can fit in the wheel well?
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08-23-2013, 07:10 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
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I would measure a 16" LT tire and see if it will fit in the wheel well. That should raise you an inch or more if it fits. You could also call the factory and ask them if any kind of spring chocks can work.
__________________
2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
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08-23-2013, 07:30 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
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Are you sure you aren't being overly concerned with the approach angle...or estimating it correctly? It is maybe one in 20 that I drag the sacrificial skids on approach and exit. And I'm really not that particular on my selection.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-23-2013, 08:56 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tallen5
Anyone have any reasonable ideas for raising the ground clearance on a 2013 22' Sport? We took our on a several hundred mile trip and were amazed at how are gas station selections were not based on price or apparent cleanliness, but instead by the approach angle of the drive. Even getting it out of the driveway is an extremely delicate situation. I know that the low ground clearance is best for stability and fuel efficiency, but I'd like an extra couple inches of clearance. On the same subject, anyone know how big of a tire can fit in the wheel well?
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There are only 2 basic ways to increase the ground clearance.
Changing the tire size, doesn't really do much.
1. Replace the axle with a higher starting angle axle.
2. You can lower the way the axle is mounted, but the ground clearance will remain the same since the axle tube distance to the ground, will not change.
Andy
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08-25-2013, 11:29 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
2013 22' FB Sport
Wichita
, Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 71
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I don't think I'm being overly concerned. We drag just getting in and out of the driveway. The skids I'm not too terribly worried about, but the black water outlet has had some extremely close calls too. Replacing the axle sounds like a lot of work. If a larger tire would fit and give me another inch, I'd do that first. Sometimes an inch can make a big difference.
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08-25-2013, 12:04 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tallen5
I don't think I'm being overly concerned. We drag just getting in and out of the driveway. The skids I'm not too terribly worried about, but the black water outlet has had some extremely close calls too. Replacing the axle sounds like a lot of work. If a larger tire would fit and give me another inch, I'd do that first. Sometimes an inch can make a big difference.
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Changing the axle is easy as pie.
Increasing the tire size, at best will only give you one inch.
Changing the axle with a higher starting angle, can give you 2 inches.
Andy
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08-25-2013, 12:19 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tallen5
I don't think I'm being overly concerned. We drag just getting in and out of the driveway. The skids I'm not too terribly worried about, but the black water outlet has had some extremely close calls too. Replacing the axle sounds like a lot of work. If a larger tire would fit and give me another inch, I'd do that first. Sometimes an inch can make a big difference.
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Really? I'm surprised on a 22'er...and a 2013 at that. Do you know if AS put on a 22* down angle axle,or something like a 10* or less? My 30'er with a lot more rear overhang really rarely drags.
16" tires will only give you about 1/2" additional ground clearance, but every little bit counts. (I have 16"ers)
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-25-2013, 03:12 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
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When you are hitched and on level ground, is your trailer level? If the hitch is high, the read end will be lower.
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08-27-2013, 07:29 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2013 22' FB Sport
Wichita
, Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 71
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Our trailer is level when hitched. If we do go with a different axle to gain ground clearance, does anyone have one they can recommend?
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08-27-2013, 07:39 PM
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#10
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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If you are dragging on a 22'er think about a 31' one. One of the things I've become very careful about is sizing up the entrances to gas stations. I've passed them up rather than take the chance. I have a rule of thumb to consider gassing once I hit half a tank. That way we can pass up a stop and maybe drive a little further for a better entry opportunity.
My other trick is to avoid a left turn into a station where I see that dip. That allows you a better angle than a left turn provides. I've been known to drive past the station and get turned around so that I can make that right turn into the station. It also allows for a slow turn into the station than having your rear end hang across multiple lanes as you try to ease in without tail dragging.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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08-27-2013, 08:24 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tallen5
Our trailer is level when hitched. If we do go with a different axle to gain ground clearance, does anyone have one they can recommend?
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Dexter is the current supplier to Airstream for all the torsion axles they need for production.
Andy
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08-28-2013, 08:12 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Oracle
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,174
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09-15-2013, 05:41 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2013 22' FB Sport
Wichita
, Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 71
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Installed the Dexter lift kit today and it worked beautifully. A breeze to install and now we are almost 3" higher than before. Here's the lift info:
Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - #11 Torflex Lift Kit (K71-724-02)
I've included before and after photos plus a photo of the lift kit. You can only purchase the lift kit a package deal for a tandem axle trailer. Since my airstream only has 1 axle, I have the other 1/2 of this kit (enough for 1 axle) for sale now for $90 plus actual shipping. If anyone is interested, PM me.
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07-25-2014, 06:44 AM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
2013 23' FB Flying Cloud
Jericho
, Vermont
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 123
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Any thoughts on the lift kit after a year of use? We'd like to get a little more clearance, and that looks like an inexpensive and easy option.
__________________
Dan and Chris (and Lindy and Milo)
2013 Flying Cloud 23FB
2014 Tundra DC 5.7L / ProPride / Tekonsha P3
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07-25-2014, 10:20 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2013 22' FB Sport
Wichita
, Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 71
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Love it. We did have to trim some plastic from the wheel wheel and we needed a small step stool to easily get in the trailer now, but that's no big deal to us. No more worries about scraping getting in and out of our driveway, gas stations, etc... is well worth it.
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07-25-2014, 11:08 AM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
2013 23' FB Flying Cloud
Jericho
, Vermont
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 123
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So no adverse effects on driveability, handling, etc. I assume. We may have to follow your lead...
__________________
Dan and Chris (and Lindy and Milo)
2013 Flying Cloud 23FB
2014 Tundra DC 5.7L / ProPride / Tekonsha P3
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07-25-2014, 11:34 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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I have only bottomed it out once- GPS took me the wrong way, and when I discovered it I turned around in a gas station parking lot with a dip-
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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07-25-2014, 11:45 AM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
2013 23' FB Flying Cloud
Jericho
, Vermont
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 123
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Well, we haven't bottomed out but we've come too close for comfort. We've camped at a number of Vermont state parks, and when the site wasn't flat the black water piping was threatened as we entered and exited.
__________________
Dan and Chris (and Lindy and Milo)
2013 Flying Cloud 23FB
2014 Tundra DC 5.7L / ProPride / Tekonsha P3
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08-25-2014, 09:49 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
2014 22' FB Sport
Everett
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tallen5
Love it. We did have to trim some plastic from the wheel wheel and we needed a small step stool to easily get in the trailer now, but that's no big deal to us. No more worries about scraping getting in and out of our driveway, gas stations, etc... is well worth it.
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Would you mind posting a picture of your trailer so i can see the stance.
I have the same trailer and was concerned with stability and handling.
Have you noticed a change in that at all?
Thx
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08-25-2014, 09:56 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
Northeastern
, Kentucky
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 627
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tallen5
Love it. We did have to trim some plastic from the wheel wheel and we needed a small step stool to easily get in the trailer now, but that's no big deal to us. No more worries about scraping getting in and out of our driveway, gas stations, etc... is well worth it.
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Do you have a pic of the plastic you had to trim? I'm trying to picture this since it seems like clearance would be increased....
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