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Old 01-19-2025, 02:23 PM   #1
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4" drop vs straight axle

I'm in the process of rebuilding a 1959 Avion Rover, 23 ft, single axle. I'm going to replace the entire axle assy and would like to get more ground clearance. The current axle is a 4" drop.
My question is this: Is it a good idea to install a straight axel, which would give me 4" of lift. Ride/towing issues? Experienced opinions are appreciated.
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Old 01-19-2025, 02:57 PM   #2
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Welcome. Many of us have either installed or are planning to install a 3" lift kit on our Airstreams. The reasoning is that our longer trailers sometimes can drag their tails when entering or exiting fuel stations and other driveways. Your shorter trailer may not have that problem, but the fact that Airstream is now offering the lift kit as a factory option may influence your thinking.


I'm NOT an engineer and I've only had my Airstream for a month, so I'm far from an expert. I am one of those that is going to get the lift kit installed.
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Old 01-19-2025, 09:51 PM   #3
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I didn't trust our 70 year old 4" drop axle on the Clipper not to go and snap on me, so I replaced it with a straight slimline axle and new springs. Initially I thought it looked a bit silly sitting up so high but I'm used to it now, and very happy with the choice.
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Old 01-20-2025, 04:36 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CamperMX View Post
I'm in the process of rebuilding a 1959 Avion Rover, 23 ft, single axle. I'm going to replace the entire axle assy and would like to get more ground clearance. The current axle is a 4" drop.
My question is this: Is it a good idea to install a straight axel, which would give me 4" of lift. Ride/towing issues? Experienced opinions are appreciated.
Yes you may iy will be fine
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Old 01-20-2025, 11:24 AM   #5
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I replaced the original axle on our 1959 Tradewind with a 5000lb Dexter axle and brake assy. The old square tube axle was smaller in diameter and had the leaf springs attached underneath. I put the springs on top of the new 5" axle which of course raised the trailer about 5", and I have 16" wheels instead of the 15".

As far as handling, it tows great, I usually tow between 70 - 74mph depending on conditions.

We do a lot of boon docking here in Idaho and need the clearance in some of the places we go.
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Old 01-20-2025, 11:53 AM   #6
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I have a single axle 1960 Overlander. It came with a 4" drop axle. It would drag going in and out of many driveways. About 2 decades ago we "flipped" the original axle by mounting it above the axle instead of beneath. This raised the trailer substantially. It no longer dragged, but we did have to add a step or two to get into the thing! The increase in height did not seem to affect its handling on the road.

The trailer is now in the shop to have the original axle replaced. After 65 years I was having a brake drum fall apart, so decided to replace the whole thing. In my mind there were two choices:
1) replace with a straight axle with modern springs so that the trailer height would drop down to a middle ground somewhere between "flipped" and original heights, along with all modern parts. While not original, it would retail much of the original "spirit" and engineering.
2) replace with a torsion axle like the factory now uses. I am told that this would increase the ride quality. It also has the benefit of more modern engineering. This is what I opted for. A saying attributed to Wally Byam,
Don't make changes. Make improvements.
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Old 01-20-2025, 04:13 PM   #7
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When I replaced the axle on my '77' Minuet we chose to raise it an additional 4". It did look a little odd at first but we have sure enjoyed being able to take it places off the road and into some really remote sites. I still tows great and I am very glad we chose to add the additional inches.
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Old 01-20-2025, 04:14 PM   #8
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lift

My wife followed me towing our 30 ft FC home to storage and said, Were getting it lifted you almost dragged on the road crown while crossing. A year later I also added the 16 inch Classic Rims and Michelin Tires. With our 25 there was no problem a 30 ft FC- PROBLEM!

I'm NOT an engineer and I've only had my Airstream for a month, so I'm far from an expert. I am one of those that is going to get the lift kit installed.[/QUOTE]
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Old 01-22-2025, 10:43 AM   #9
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Thanks!

Thank you all for the information. It gives me confidence now in replacing the 4" drop with a straight axle.
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Old 01-26-2025, 10:09 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CamperMX View Post
I'm in the process of rebuilding a 1959 Avion Rover, 23 ft, single axle. I'm going to replace the entire axle assy and would like to get more ground clearance. The current axle is a 4" drop.
My question is this: Is it a good idea to install a straight axel, which would give me 4" of lift. Ride/towing issues? Experienced opinions are appreciated.
I would keep it original. Engineers designed them that way for a reason. Better handling, stability, and lower is always better. Unless your unit is long, or your planning to do off road adventures I would never consider it. Looks better original too. Good luck on whichever route you choose.
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Old 01-27-2025, 04:30 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CamperMX View Post
I'm in the process of rebuilding a 1959 Avion Rover, 23 ft, single axle. I'm going to replace the entire axle assy and would like to get more ground clearance. The current axle is a 4" drop.
My question is this: Is it a good idea to install a straight axel, which would give me 4" of lift. Ride/towing issues? Experienced opinions are appreciated.
Welcome to the world of Avions!

We have had the next year & next size down Avion from yours since 2011, & yours later morphed into the Avion H24 Holiday in 1960> MY with added length & a reworked galley & cabinetry, then later lengthened another foot to 25' H25 in about 1966-67 MY. You'll see the difference in period photos of the R23 vs H24/H25 in document links at the Silver Avion link at the bottom.

You didn't say whether your Rambler was single or the optional dual axle., but a dual axle one will double your costs, vs. to reaxle a single axle Avion.

In the 1960 MY Avion had upsized their line-up by a foot & updated their galleys & bathrooms (core parts are the same on all sizes of Avions during the Cayo ownership), in order to keep ahead of competition, & the 1959 S19 Sportsman was upgraded from a 2 sleeper (dinette/bed or Gaucho sofa-bed up front), into our 4+ sleeper 1960 Avion T20 Tourist with an added foot of body length, a reworked galley that replaced curbside cabinets with an amidships Gaucho sofa/bed plus a dinette/bed to sleep 4 + an optional 5th rollout bunk that could be added above the amidships Gaucho sofa/bed for the 4+ sleeping.

I think that your longer 1959 23' is only about a couple of 100 pounds heavier empty weight than our 1960 20' (actually 21'-6" OA) is going to be a very close comparable for this question.

Remember that our Avions were built different & sturdier than even the vintage Airstreams, including that our axles were much heavier duty than were used on the Airstreams of the day, with solid steel cast axles (with a sort of figure 8 or top & bottom lobes reinforced cross section) & leaf springs - rather than the AS hollow tube torsion bar axles.

They were lowered with a 4" drop axle for better towing with autos of the day, which was actually a truck based axle & leaf springs for heavy duty service & safety, as were the OE 15" split-rim 6-Lug truck wheels (but do change the wheels to solid rims, since they're dangerous to change split-rims - there are a couple of vintage trailer tire & wheel suppliers near you in OH & IN & even Coker in TN).


So you may not get the same ride quality nor sturdiness from some other "modern" torsion bar or other coil sprung etc. straight axle.

The original Avion axles & HD leaf springs can be easily & reliably refurbished or rebuilt with new leafs if they're sagging a bit - if they need anything - which worn out leafs may be the cause of any lower height droop that you may be experiencing. A far more cost effective media-blasting, re-prime & repaint may be all you need to do - & that's still cheaper even if a full leaf springs disassembly, restoration & rebuild if needed.


Having a year newer single axle 1960 Avion T20 Tourist (21'-6" L bumper to coupler - we have no problems with clearance on driveways etc. - except when I mounted a trailer rated bike rack in a 4" square bumper mounted 2" receiver that was flat on top of the bumper (the prior owners had replaced the original stock "C-section" Avion bumper, with a typical 4" square tube bumper to carry a modern 4" sewer hose when they were restoring it).

My solution was to buy an 8" L section of plain 2" square steel tube & another 2" receiver from eTrailer, which I had welded on top of the original 2" receiver of the bolt-on 4" RV Bumper hitch receiver (all were from eTrailer, but are widely available) - with the 8" plain tube cut into 2x 4" sections used vertically, between the original lower 2" receiver & the newly added upper 2" receiver.

You'll see at eTrailer & other towing suppliers some similar dual receivers with a straight plus an upper raised 2" receiver that plugs into a another 2" receiver on the TV, allowing for mounting a bike or gear rack above the trailer hitch on a tow vehicle.

That gave me the idea, but I didn't want to further extend the bike rack out from the trailer, nor add that much weight - so I improvised my standard 4" bumper mounted 2" hitch to have 2 hitch height options - but not to carry double items. You don't want that much weight nor added moment arm on your Avion's rear bumper - even if it has a sturdier 3 boxed-rail frame (Airstreams use only 2 lighter "C" frame rails).

Thereby, I gained 4" lift at the rear of our Avion for the bike rack for a fraction of the cost that you're proposing for a full axle replacement.


You don't say what underbody clearance problem that you're trying to resolve, so as others have said - if you don't need clearance for offroading, steep ramp to your property or something else requiring the added height.

If you need to raise it for that reason, then you may need to go to a local hot rod shop to get them to recast a similar straight axle & use the HD leaf springs sets L & R to match the HD carrying capacity of your OE axle/Springs.

They can probably also refurbish your existing axle/springs if you stay with the OE 4" drop axle, or refer you to the machine shop that they use.

The main downsides to the higher ride straight axle option are:

1. that it will look goofy with too much wheel well showing, & looking "jacked up" with a straight axle giving it a 4" higher body level;

2. you'll make it harder getting into & out of the Avion's steps at another 4" up, plus harder to do any roof, AC, vent, awning, etc. maintenance up higher;

3. it will change the drop or rise of your hitch bar or "stinger" (used for Hensley & ProPride 3P WD/AS hitches) with the trailer up 4" relative to your TV's receiver height (which may go beyond available 8" drop/rise tow bars & stingers), & that may also change the geometries of how the Avion & TV work together - possibly making it not tow as well (they're designed to tow smoothly with the 4" drop axle & lower trailer height & work well with either auto based SUVs & pick-ups);

4. it could change your trailer's weight balance fore & aft being up higher, & possibly change your WD hitch set-up & how you pack/load your Avion for good weight balance & tongue weight;

5. it will change the aerodynamics of your Avion behind your chosen TV, which will increase your towing MPG, & may induce or change the wind buffeting of the Avion in the TV's slipstream;

6. your costs to reaxle will be much more than to renovate, restore, clean-up & repaint, etc. your existing OE axles & springs - & that higher cost will double if your Rambler is a dual axle option model;

7. being 4" taller with its center of gravity up that much more above the road, you may find it will be more tippy & more susceptible to cross winds & uneven road pavement conditions, than originally designed;

... & perhaps other changes if you go with a straight axle.

If you look at the Avion ads of the day - as well as Airstreams & pretty much all "silver twinky" & "canned ham" travel trailer as of the day - they're all shown towed by low passenger cars & wagons - so they were likewise set up with 4" drop axles to keep them lower, well balanced & aerodynamic for easier towing.


Why change what has worked for 66 years?



Since Airstreamers' experience on here will be different, than with our Avions & Silver Streaks, Streamliners, & other competing silver twinkies of that era - you may also want to get involved with Avion specific forums & resources, such as the 2 below:

https://groups.io/g/AvionForum

http://www.silveravion.com/home.html


Hope this helps!

Good Luck!
Tom
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Old 01-28-2025, 07:16 PM   #12
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Thank you so much for the great information. It's a lot to digest, but I'm going to seriously reconsider my plan after reading your reply.
My Avion is a single axle.
I'm looking to add ground clearance as it's very low. The tires and rims are not original and the correct size will raise the trailer 2". I was thinking of installing a straight axle to gain four more inches.
I will be adding black and gray tanks and they will extend below the frame up to 5", as the frame is 4" deep. Hence the need for more ground clearance.
Thanks for the links, I'll check those out.
Larry
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