Hi! I am getting the swing of this forum so here is a question. I need some advise. We live in Wyoming, do fly fishing anywhere, and pursue the perfect photo far from the maddening crowds. Our cabin is mile off the main road on a steep (in spots) and bumpy dirt road. We have a 22' Safari Sport single axle and my question is has anyone raised a AS to gain more clearance. I have been talking to a welder who will weld a 3 - 3.5" channel under our AS to raise it the 3 or so inches. Is this advisable? Any issues I have not considered? We have discussed how to get everything lined up and bolted back into place after the 'lift'. Thanks in advance for any input.... Tom
I would be a little concerned that raising the center of gravity might have some negative effects on pulling the trailer on the highway. I am wondering if there is some kind of air shock or air bag that could be used to raise the trailer temporarily for the rough terrain.
Brian
__________________ SuEllyn & Brian McCabe WBCCI #3628 --- AIR #14872 2005 25' Safari FB (Lucy) with HAHA 2005 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Olivia) & 2004 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Daisy)
Hi! I am getting the swing of this forum so here is a question....
...bumpy dirt road.
We have a 22' Safari Sport single axle
...and my question is has anyone raised a AS to gain more clearance....
hi foto'
swing over to the search feature and u will find this question asked dozens of times...
Hi! I am getting the swing of this forum so here is a question. I need some advise. We live in Wyoming, do fly fishing anywhere, and pursue the perfect photo far from the maddening crowds. Our cabin is mile off the main road on a steep (in spots) and bumpy dirt road. We have a 22' Safari Sport single axle and my question is has anyone raised a AS to gain more clearance. I have been talking to a welder who will weld a 3 - 3.5" channel under our AS to raise it the 3 or so inches. Is this advisable? Any issues I have not considered? We have discussed how to get everything lined up and bolted back into place after the 'lift'. Thanks in advance for any input.... Tom
Tom.
Raising the trailer, will not add ground clearance, since the axle tube is closest to the ground. Raising the trailer has zero effect on the axle.
You can replace the axle, with a greater starting angle, which raises everything.
Tom
What parts of Wyo do you go to the most? I used to live in Cheyenne & now am in Utah -for jobs, etc
My range is Wind Rivers, Big Horns, & Yellowstone. Mostly we camp in NFS campgrounds -almost always some gravel roads with washerboard & ruts to get in - always take the really bad parts slow & never had trouble with standard suspension - are you going to go off road?
Upgrading wheels & tires will give you an extra ~1" & is easy to do ((check out the wheel well clearance first).
The most common bottoming problem with the low profile of Airstreams is the tail drags because of the rear overhang. It is usually not that the axle hits the ground. The way to raise the back end is to lower the front end. Use a lower than usual hitch ball and no w/d bars when you encounter bad conditions. I regularly carry a spare 6 inch drop hitch for just such occasions. Remember to go slow because these types of roads will destroy your Airstream at higher speeds. Put the higher hitch and W/D bars back on when you hit the freeway.
I am kidding. Welcome Tom, greetings and all that good stuff
What some of my friends did to get up to a
mountain campsite, was to mount a set of wheels
( casters ?) on the rear of their trailer. It was easier for them
do, because they have SOBs and didn't have
a belly pan. They could easily see where the frame was and
where to mount the wheels. But I guess it could be done on an
Airstream.
Oh and do try to use the Search function. ( If you have 2 hours to waste and not find what you are looking for )
Caster are no good on dirt roads. Their small footprint quickly digs in and only causes more problems. Casters are good for getting out of gas station driveways (slowly), when a dip at the gutter of the road causes the back of the Airstream to drag. They are not the ideal solution, but may serve a need backing into a paved driveway or campsite that goes up hill and causes the rear of the trailer to drag.
Caster are no good on dirt roads. Their small footprint quickly digs in and only causes more problems. Casters are good for getting out of gas station driveways (slowly), when a dip at the gutter of the road causes the back of the Airstream to drag. They are not the idea solution but may serve a need backing into a paved driveway or campsite that goes up hill and causes the rear of the trailer to drag.
The first "major" hit with casters on the rear frame, will be one or two quarter panels that get damaged at the bottom.
We replace many of them for that reason.
Airstream installs "skid" plates.
They work ok, as long as the trailer is not turning.
Ricky dirt roads with big grooves, is not a place for Airstreams.
Airstream use to publish "Your Airstream will go wherever your tow vehicle can".
NOT TRUE.
It can't go under 8 to 9 foot bridges and it shouldn't be asked to go, without enduring problems, down dirt roads with big ruts, and that are never maintained.
Nor can it go thru two feet of water, without serious problems.
I also once went up a good hill at the top of which was a knob resulting in the front half of the trailer bottoming out as it went over and ripping off one of the BAL stabilizers.
I also have never had a problem with axle clearance.
__________________
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain- WoZ
Andy is right about the casters and the rest, too. If you put casters on the rear of the trailer, the most appropriate points are the frame extension for the rear bumper. The issue is that when you add them, you lower the point of the rear that will drag, thus lowering the clearance...again, coming out of driveways and gas stations. This defeats the purpose of the casters. You hit the pavement at shallower angles than you would without them. Hope this makes sense.
__________________
2006 30' Safari - "Changes in Latitudes"
2008 F-250 Lariat Power Stroke Diesel Crew Cab SWB
Family of Disney Fanatics
WBCCI# 4821 streamin across america
The first "major" hit with casters on the rear frame, will be one or two quarter panels that get damaged at the bottom.
We replace many of them for that reason.
Airstream installs "skid" plates.
They work ok, as long as the trailer is not turning
...............................................
Andy
Hi Andy,
Why are casters worse than the skid plates alone? It would seem to me that if casters or wheels were mounted on the ends of the skid plates so that the bottom of the wheels were say 1/2 inch or less below the skid plates, it would also save grinding down the skid plates.
Regards,
Ken
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