Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-08-2009, 07:36 PM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
1973 31' Sovereign
edwardsburg , Michigan
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 7
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
slvrbulit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2009, 07:53 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
2003 25' Safari
Kissimmee , Florida
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 813
Images: 3
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
dmac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2009, 07:57 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
1994 30' Excella
Mississauga , Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,234
also will look a little odd if it sits too high.
Al
BigAl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2009, 08:08 PM   #4
2 Rivet Member
 
2007 20' Safari
San Diego , California
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 28
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
3DogNight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2009, 08:18 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
Melody Ranch's Avatar
 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View , Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
Images: 78
Send a message via Skype™ to Melody Ranch
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.
Melody Ranch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2009, 08:22 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Melody Ranch's Avatar
 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View , Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
Images: 78
Send a message via Skype™ to Melody Ranch
forgot the pics

Here are the axel height pics,
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Airstream new axels.JPG
Views:	403
Size:	26.3 KB
ID:	78127   Click image for larger version

Name:	66 Caravel new axel.JPG
Views:	174
Size:	68.4 KB
ID:	78128  

Melody Ranch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2009, 10:30 PM   #7
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by slvrbulit View Post
hello, have 73' sovereign, would like to put new axles on. are there new axles that will improve on the height. thanks
duane
Our replacements raise the trailer typically 3 to 4 inches, when replacing bad axles.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 06:39 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Mikethefixit's Avatar
 
1977 27' Overlander
Trotwood , Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,153
Send a message via Yahoo to 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.
__________________
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!
Mikethefixit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 08:04 AM   #9
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikethefixit View Post
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.

Correct and correct, except we changed the starting angle for you from 22 1/2 degrees to 35 degrees.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 08:06 AM   #10
Rivet Master
 
Lumatic's Avatar
 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
Images: 16
Blog Entries: 1
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.
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 08:55 AM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Aerowood's Avatar
 
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada , Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
I replaced mine with a Dexter with the same 22 1/2 down axle. The new axle raised it up approx. 4 inches.

Kip
Aerowood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 10:58 AM   #12
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerowood View Post
I replaced mine with a Dexter with the same 22 1/2 down axle. The new axle raised it up approx. 4 inches.

Kip
Kip.

Did you go with the 10 inch brakes, or the 12 inch?

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 12:13 PM   #13
Rivet Master
 
memgrove2000's Avatar
 
Elkhart , Indiana
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 633
Send a message via AIM to memgrove2000
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
memgrove2000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 04:31 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
Aerowood's Avatar
 
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada , Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In View Post
Kip.

Did you go with the 10 inch brakes, or the 12 inch?

Andy
12 inch
Aerowood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 04:39 PM   #15
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerowood View Post
12 inch
Great, then you received the larger bearings as well.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 04:48 PM   #16
2 Rivet Member
 
msieber109's Avatar
 
1966 24' Tradewind
1975 29' Ambassador
Greenfield , Massachusetts
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 67
Images: 7
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
msieber109 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 10:05 PM   #17
Chief Chili Cook
 
newroswell's Avatar
 
2010 30' Flying Cloud
Bakersfield , California
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 738
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3DogNight View Post
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
3dog, I'd love to see a few pictures of that.
newroswell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 10:21 PM   #18
Rivet Master
 
Lumatic's Avatar
 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
Images: 16
Blog Entries: 1
"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.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	AmbassadorFR.JPG
Views:	160
Size:	49.7 KB
ID:	78159  
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2009, 10:57 PM   #19
Chief Chili Cook
 
newroswell's Avatar
 
2010 30' Flying Cloud
Bakersfield , California
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 738
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumatic View Post
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.
That's cool. So is that about 4" higher? And how many Airstreams do you have?!?
newroswell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2009, 07:27 PM   #20
2 Rivet Member
 
2007 20' Safari
San Diego , California
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 28
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
3DogNight is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to improve the WBCCI azflycaster WBCCI Forum 87 07-15-2007 03:53 PM
Ceiling height Fish36991 Airstream Trailer Forums 2 09-06-2006 08:31 AM
Height of axles? gr63air Axles 7 07-14-2006 09:30 PM
Ball Height ?? Alden Miller Hitches, Couplers & Balls 7 04-10-2006 10:07 PM
Specified ball height wacnstac Hitches, Couplers & Balls 15 04-02-2006 08:04 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.