Lift Kit

[215Airhaus]

Hopefully this is the right forum for this question. Should I get the lift kit installed on my 22' FB? What would be the drawbacks, if any? Am I compromising the integrity or strength of any of the structural pieces by doing so? It would be installed by the same dealer that sold me the trailer.

I'll say after a couple of seasons with the stock rig, I can only see upsides here, but I wanted to get some real feedback from my peeps.

Thank you in advance for all of your input.

Cheers.

[DCPAS]

If you want some negatives, higher center of gravity will adversely affect handling and a higher trailer puts more of the front of the trailer in the wind adversely affecting fuel mileage. In my view, unless you need the additional ground clearance to keep from hitting the bottom, I do not see any upside to lifting.

[mojo]

Well everyone is entitled to an opinion even though they have never experienced the alternative. Take it for what it's worth...
Adding the lift helps a LOT if you plan to boondock or explore beyond the confines of major highways and RV resorts. And even more so if you find yourself committed to having to pull into/out of a parking lot with a deep swale. I have not heard anyone on these forums state that they regretted adding the lift due to "adverse" effects when towing. Dragging your tail is the most adverse effect possible.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by mojo

Well everyone is entitled to an opinion even though they have never experienced the alternative. Take it for what it's worth...
Adding the lift helps a LOT if you plan to boondock or explore beyond the confines of major highways and RV resorts. And even more so if you find yourself committed to having to pull into/out of a parking lot with a deep swale. I have not heard anyone on these forums state that they regretted adding the lift due to "adverse" effects when towing. Dragging your tail is the most adverse effect possible.

Indeed. I should have done it a long time ago on my 30'er. After 75k, and a number of tail dragging events, my rear trunk door frame welds have cracked. Job one is to remove the frame and take to a tig welder.
I received my lift kit from GMFL yesterday.
CoG will still be a lot lower than my prior sob.

[Fungus]

I’ve noticed no adverse effects after the lift.

[Bunker]

I noticed that getting in the trailer without using the steps is slightly harder.

I also noticed I can get in and out about every gas station with little worry about dragging the rear end.

[carl2591]

replaced axles on 2005 classic 30 ft with 3" high brackets from Dexter adn 32 down angle.. measure from ground went up 4.25" no difference in towing.. and steps work better..

would not do 32 down but 22.5 to keep it not quite so high.. that will get you like 3.75 with the 3" brackets.

on a 22 do the lift kit..

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Bunker

I noticed that getting in the trailer without using the steps is slightly harder.

I also noticed I can get in and out about every gas station with little worry about dragging the rear end.

Yeah, I think I'll have to get one of those low aluminum step things for the momma unit. I'm a few year behind her in needing it.

[Slimpockets]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Indeed. I should have done it a long time ago on my 30'er. After 75k, and a number of tail dragging events, my rear trunk door frame welds have cracked. Job one is to remove the frame and take to a tig welder.
I received my lift kit from GMFL yesterday.
CoG will still be a lot lower than my prior sob.

Honest question because I don’t know the answer. Why not a mig or even stick welder? I have used mig on car restorations but I’m just a hobby welder.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Slimpockets

Honest question because I don’t know the answer. Why not a mig or even stick welder? I have used mig on car restorations but I’m just a hobby welder.

It is an aluminum (rather thin) door frame.

[215Airhaus]

I wanted to thank everyone that took time to help me out. I really appreciate it. See you down the road!

[Pdish24]

Originally Posted by 215Airhaus

I wanted to thank everyone that took time to help me out. I really appreciate it. See you down the road!

Does a lift kit void warranty?

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by Pdish24

Does a lift kit void warranty?

There is one Airstream-approved lift kit that should not void the warranty (assuming it’s installed properly). It’s a 3-inch lift from Dexter.

[Thiss]

Lift should be an option from factory. It would be nearly no extra time.

I am debating lift for my FC. My Overlander was pretty high after an axle swap.

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by Thiss

Lift should be an option from factory. It would be nearly no extra time.



I am debating lift for my FC. My Overlander was pretty high after an axle swap.

Agreed. Only the Basecamp has this option right now as part of the X package.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by DCPAS

If you want some negatives, higher center of gravity will adversely affect handling and a higher trailer puts more of the front of the trailer in the wind adversely affecting fuel mileage. In my view, unless you need the additional ground clearance to keep from hitting the bottom, I do not see any upside to lifting.

……..I did my 13 31’ and gave 50, 000 plus miles and I can guarantee you it it did no such thing …

[LNBright]

I have a 20FB: had the dealer put the 3" Dexter lift on it. Coming in and out of my driveway, the rear bumper would have dragged if I hadn't. On the road, it tows beautifully. When parked in a campsite, I drop blocks under each stabilizer leg to give them a shorter range to have to reach. As the door's step drops down low, it's actually a quite comfortable step up onto the first step, nothing dire happens due to having a lift. Perhaps you don't need a lift most places you go, but, occasionally, there'll be a certain gas station, pulling off the road into, w/ a steeper drive, that the lift will help.

I couldn't have put up w/ ours if I hadn't lifted it.

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by LNBright

I have a 20FB: had the dealer put the 3" Dexter lift on it. Coming in and out of my driveway, the rear bumper would have dragged if I hadn't. On the road, it tows beautifully.

Same. We have like half an inch of clearance left on the rear skid pads when we back up our driveway. Of course, we probably would be okay if we removed the WD before backing in if we weren't lifted.


But I wasn't sure if we'd have enough clearance at the hitch point then. The WD bars on our old trailer / TV combo scraped the driveway quite a number of times. And we actually bent the 7-pin bracket on our TV backing it in and out the first time without a WDH. But the truck is much higher.


In retrospect we probably would have been fine after removing the WD, but I didn't want to get it home and not be able to get it in the driveway. And we do like to head deep down dirt roads to camp, so the clearance is appreciated.