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10-30-2008, 10:46 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Willits
, California
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 13
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Axle Lifts ????
After dragging bottom and needing repairs on my 76 31' Sov. is there anybody that makes a lift kit for airstreams for added clearance??
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10-30-2008, 10:52 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1960 22' Safari
in the wilderness
, The great Mojave Desert
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,077
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I don't know of an axle lift system but the problem may be that your axles are worn out.
Is the arm that goes from the axle to the wheel level or pointing up at the wheel end? If so it's time for new ones.
If thats the problem they are easy to get and really easy to install.
__________________
I'd rather be boon docking in the desert.
WBCCI 3344 FCU
AIR# 13896
CA 4
Yes, we have courtesy parking for you. About an hour North of Los Angeles.
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10-30-2008, 11:01 PM
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#3
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1 Rivet Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Willits
, California
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 13
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The axels are in good shape and the clearance is normal. What I would like to do is lift it more like a lot of the new toy hauler type trailers for rougher terrain.
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10-30-2008, 11:07 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1960 22' Safari
in the wilderness
, The great Mojave Desert
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,077
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I looked into the same thing as we tend to camp way out in the desert and improved ground clearance would make all those dirt roads easier.
The only thing I found was new axles with a higher angle arm.
I am curious though if 'blocks' could be placed beween the axle and the frame. Anybody out there have any thoughts?
__________________
I'd rather be boon docking in the desert.
WBCCI 3344 FCU
AIR# 13896
CA 4
Yes, we have courtesy parking for you. About an hour North of Los Angeles.
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10-30-2008, 11:15 PM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Willits
, California
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 13
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thanks, If you used a higher angle arm it would need to be longer. Is it possible do something without relocating the axel mounts??
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10-30-2008, 11:22 PM
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#6
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,616
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The axle mounts and arms would be the same. The new axles would have an increased downward angle.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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10-31-2008, 06:41 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2016 23' International
Centennial
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,684
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Bulldogger.....can you post a couple of pics with a side angle view of your trailer so that the wheel wells/tires can be seen? You will definitely get confirmation then as to the status of your axles.
__________________
Steve "Centennial Man"
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10-31-2008, 07:20 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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I forgot the brand, (but Dexter comes to mind), anyway they build tortion axles that would easily replace the axles on Airstreams, and their axles are adjustable. The axle "arm" is on a spline, and all you have to do is remove a large bolt, take the "arm" of the spline, rotate it, and reinstall.
I bought one a while back for a trailer that I built from Southwest Wheel in Lubbock, Tx and it was built to my specs of weight, width, etc.
The adjustability would give you some ground clearance.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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10-31-2008, 07:47 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1972 25' Tradewind
North Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,421
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If the trailer is 'jacked' up, what would that do to the towability of the unit? What with the higher centre of gravity and all.
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors, Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Mame Dennis
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10-31-2008, 08:31 AM
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#10
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Airstreams are pretty much what they are. You can get a couple of extra inches clearance with new axles with a 35 degree angle (factory was 22.5), but much more than that will result in the axle trying to shove straight up instead of rotating, and a much rougher ride.
Likewise, you can extend the frame mounts downward slightly, to add a couple more inches ground clearance, but that modification would have to be carefully thought out and implemented. There are no "kits" to do this, such as a nitrous kit to make a car go faster.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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10-31-2008, 08:38 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1968 28' Ambassador
Cedaredge
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,542
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What about changing to a leaf spring axel.... Then you could flip it and get more clearance... this would mean modifying the frame mounts! but it might be possible...
May not be as smooth a ride!
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
2008 5.7 L V8 Sequoia
AIR # 31243
WBCCI # 6987
FOUR CORNERS UNIT
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10-31-2008, 08:46 AM
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#12
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30' 1999 Excella
Kingwood
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 295
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How much lift from new axels
Bulldogger,
check out this post ( http://www.airforums.com/forums/f437...les-41446.html) where I took pics of my new vs old axles. You can see the extra angle on the photo.
Note that we went to larger rims (16") AND installed new axles. We picked up 2 1/4 inches of clearance between the two.
That doesn't sound like much. However, we found it amazing how much higher the trailer seemed to be. Plus, several areas where we had clearance problems suddenly went away.
__________________
Hey, its the only way to be sure!
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10-31-2008, 10:28 AM
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#13
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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 Bulldogger
thanks, If you used a higher angle arm it would need to be longer. Is it possible do something without relocating the axel mounts??
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A greater starting angle does not change the size of the torsion arm.
It has been determined that 35 degrees is about maximum.
A starting angle greater than that creates excessive bouncing when hitting bumps.
We have, for special applications, raised Airstream trailers as much as 12 inches. Keep in mind, that the higher the ground clearance, the higher the center of gravity.
Please check the position of the torsion arms on your Airstream, to make certain that they are ok.
Andy
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10-31-2008, 10:36 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,062
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Bulldogger; Bent bumper is now cataloged in the anxiety locker, thank you very much. OUCH!
I expect a couple of inches from my new axles - I increased the load ratings #500; but shouldn't we be looking at the tow vehicle's receiver & ball height?
Being able to drop the ball two inches "should" raise the tail, If you've got a 2-inch drop now, having an emergency 6-inch ball-mount drop just to get extricated might've been a sanity saver... Or having the adjustable shank style to have a "get out of National Forest free card".
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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10-31-2008, 01:20 PM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
2022 30' Flying Cloud
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 209
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US Adventure, the Airstream dealer in Davenport, IA built a special Airstream for medical use in South Africa. Their solution to the problem was to put on larger tires.
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11-01-2008, 10:39 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1960 22' Safari
in the wilderness
, The great Mojave Desert
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
We have, for special applications, raised Airstream trailers as much as 12 inches. Keep in mind, that the higher the ground clearance, the higher the center of gravity.
Andy
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Andy,
What did you do to raise the trailer that high?
__________________
I'd rather be boon docking in the desert.
WBCCI 3344 FCU
AIR# 13896
CA 4
Yes, we have courtesy parking for you. About an hour North of Los Angeles.
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