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04-08-2009, 07:36 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1973 31' Sovereign
edwardsburg
, Michigan
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 7
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looking to improve on height with new axles
hello, have 73' sovereign, would like to put new axles on. are there new axles that will improve on the height. thanks
duane
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04-08-2009, 07:53 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2003 25' Safari
Kissimmee
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 813
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If your axles are sagging, then installation of proper new axles will bring it back up to the design height.
If you are looking to lift it even higher, that would seem to be a poor idea. It would raise the center of gravity, resulting in unsafe handling.
__________________
Dan
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04-08-2009, 07:57 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
Mississauga
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,234
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also will look a little odd if it sits too high.
Al
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04-08-2009, 08:08 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2007 20' Safari
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 28
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Slvrbuilt,
I have a 2007 20' Safari so the axle is not in question but I did raise it 4" with a box metal beam welded between the axle and frame. Now looking "odd" is in the eyes of the beholder but extra clearance while on BLM land is in the bottom of the owner.
3DogNight
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04-08-2009, 08:18 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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new axel height change
I like the extra height it gave the Caravel. Does not look bad to me and handles like a dream. The other photo is one of a resulting new height....see relationship of wheel wells to tires. I think it looks great...and I know it rides better.
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04-08-2009, 08:22 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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forgot the pics
Here are the axel height pics,
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04-08-2009, 10:30 PM
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#7
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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 slvrbulit
hello, have 73' sovereign, would like to put new axles on. are there new axles that will improve on the height. thanks
duane
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Our replacements raise the trailer typically 3 to 4 inches, when replacing bad axles.
Andy
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04-09-2009, 06:39 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
Trotwood
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,153
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I changed axles last year. Mine were 31 yrs old. I opted for OEM which were HENSHEN . I gained about 4 inches in overall height. We went will OEM starting angle and raised the rating from the original 2800 lb to 3500 lb axles.Correct me if Im wrong Andy. I saw a difference in the handling and a softer ride both ends TV and Trailer.
__________________
Roger & MaryLou
___________________
F350 CREWCAB SW LONG BED
7.3 liter Power Stroke Diesel
1977 27ft OVERLANDER
KA8LMQ
AIR # 22336 TAC- OH-7
May your roads be straight and smooth and may you always have a tailwind!
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04-09-2009, 08:04 AM
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#9
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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 Mikethefixit
I changed axles last year. Mine were 31 yrs old. I opted for OEM which were HENSHEN . I gained about 4 inches in overall height. We went will OEM starting angle and raised the rating from the original 2800 lb to 3500 lb axles.Correct me if Im wrong Andy. I saw a difference in the handling and a softer ride both ends TV and Trailer.
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Roger.
Correct and correct, except we changed the starting angle for you from 22 1/2 degrees to 35 degrees.
Andy
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04-09-2009, 08:06 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
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The original axles had the torsion arms set at 22 degrees down angle. New axles are available with the original angle and also 35 degrees. I think there are 45's out there too but no one uses them.
New 22 degree axles should raise the coach an inch or 2 compensating for age related axle changes. 35 degrees will give you about 3-4 inches raise. You can also raise the height about an inch by changing from a low profile to high profile mounting bracket.
I put on new axles with the original 22 degree set and am satisfied. But, my trailer is 25' and I don't really have to worry about dragging it's but on driveways, etc. Another consideration is raising the coach raises the center of gravity and stands to reason changes handling. I have not really heard much on this aspect however. Maybe someone will chime in.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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04-09-2009, 08:55 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
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I replaced mine with a Dexter with the same 22 1/2 down axle. The new axle raised it up approx. 4 inches.
Kip
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04-09-2009, 10:58 AM
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#12
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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 Aerowood
I replaced mine with a Dexter with the same 22 1/2 down axle. The new axle raised it up approx. 4 inches.
Kip
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Kip.
Did you go with the 10 inch brakes, or the 12 inch?
Andy
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04-09-2009, 12:13 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Elkhart
, Indiana
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 633
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Hey Hey Hey Wait!!! Where are our manners? WELCOME Slvrbuilt = Duane it is great to have you here on the forum. Here you will find more answers than you want but most will be helpful! We just replaced the axles on our 72 31f SOV. and gained 3-4 inches of ride height.(we used factory replacements from Inland) The swap is EASY with some simple hand tools. Start soaking the bolts now!! When you get ready to do this let me know if we are not on the road I would come help as I am in Elkhart. Glad you have found this forum and good luck. See you on the road... MIKE
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04-09-2009, 04:31 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
Kip.
Did you go with the 10 inch brakes, or the 12 inch?
Andy
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12 inch
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04-09-2009, 04:39 PM
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#15
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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 Aerowood
12 inch
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Great, then you received the larger bearings as well.
Andy
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04-09-2009, 04:48 PM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
1966 24' Tradewind
1975 29' Ambassador
Greenfield
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 67
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3DogNight
Do you have any pictures of your lifted Airstream?
Also do you have any pictures on how you mounted the axles?
I (and I am sure some others) would like to see it.
Mike
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04-09-2009, 10:05 PM
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#17
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Chief Chili Cook
2010 30' Flying Cloud
Bakersfield
, California
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3DogNight
Slvrbuilt,
I have a 2007 20' Safari so the axle is not in question but I did raise it 4" with a box metal beam welded between the axle and frame. Now looking "odd" is in the eyes of the beholder but extra clearance while on BLM land is in the bottom of the owner.
3DogNight
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3dog, I'd love to see a few pictures of that.
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04-09-2009, 10:21 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
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"Lifted" Airstream
Here's a pic of my unrestored 62. It has a complete second frame welded on. This coach made it "Around the World" in the 63 Caravan. McGreggror Smith in "Thank You Marco Polo" says a couple of the coaches were lifted in Bombay in preparation for the "impassable roads" of Afghanistan.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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04-09-2009, 10:57 PM
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#19
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Chief Chili Cook
2010 30' Flying Cloud
Bakersfield
, California
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumatic
Here's a pic of my unrestored 62. It has a complete second frame welded on. This coach made it "Around the World" in the 63 Caravan. McGreggror Smith in "Thank You Marco Polo" says a couple of the coaches were lifted in Bombay in preparation for the "impassable roads" of Afghanistan.
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That's cool. So is that about 4" higher? And how many Airstreams do you have?!?
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04-12-2009, 07:27 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
2007 20' Safari
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 28
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Msieber109 & newroswell,
Sorry, no pictures and I am probably too lame to figure out how to get them on line anyway. The Streamer is presently up on jacks and I leave in two days for three months in Mexico. With the boarder crime issues I am not driving this year but I have a little palapa 20 miles out a dirt road down at the cape so I'll try not to miss my Safari too much. If still interested maybe upon my return I can get some pictures together possibly including some big surf and fish pictures.
Hasta luego, 3DogNight
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