Dexter Torsion Axle Lift Kit

[jwgilesjr]

When I installed my lifts I was able to get an opened end wrench on the bolts to allow me to torque them down. It wasn't easy and it took some maneuvering, but it was possible in my case.

[wdkennedy]

My wife and I just returned from a wonderful SW USA tour in our "94 Sovereign 21'.
I do most the driving and I have been good at missing the steep spots that have their eyes on our septic. Clearance is about 3.5".
Wife wants a lift kit. I like the low point of entry and all the other benefits of a low AS.
How do I tell if the rubber in the torsion axles is in need of replacement? I assume that with 22 years of life on our little "Olivia" she may be like a lot of things that get older. We sag.

I also spy a way to bring the septic up off the pavement.

Any thoughts?

Bill
wdkennedy1955@icloud.com

[switz]

We upgraded from the stock 14" tires and wheels on the 2015 23D International Serenity to 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires mounted on SenDel T03-56545T wheels. This gained us 1.1" more elevation off the ground.

The 23D frame is now at the same height as our 2013 25FB International Serenity after converting the stock 15" tires to the Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires.

New axles could also raise the frame and one can select a different angle to start with to raise the trailer even higher.

[explore more]

Originally Posted by wdkennedy

How do I tell if the rubber in the torsion axles is in need of replacement? I assume that with 22 years of life on our little "Olivia" she may be like a lot of things that get older. We sag.

I'm no expert, but I imagine you could jack the airstream up off the ground and measure how much rotation/droop ypur axle has. I imagine the keys on the axle are only supposed to rotate a certain amount.

[BoldAdventure]

You can tell by looking at the position of the shocks. If they are horizontal with the ground, you need new axles.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

You can tell by looking at the position of the shocks. If they are horizontal with the ground, you need new axles.

It's much easier to look at the trailing arm, or torsion arm at it's position.

When it's parallel to the ground or even nearly so when the trailer is empty, that's it. THey have served their useful life.

It would be much harder for the shocks to be parallel, and even if possible.

Andy

[SilverEagle6]

Thinking about installing this lift kit. I have disc brakes, is there any issue with the brake line needing to be replaced?

[jwgilesjr]

My brakes are electric and there was sufficient slack in the wires that no modifications were required. However, as I noted in one of my previous posts, it was necessary to remove a propane line since it was run through the axle mounting bracket.

[Patman]

Same experience with the wiring - plenty of slack. In my case, I ended up leaving the propane line run through the original bracket. I had to disconnect it install the lift kit, but I could not remove the line without cutting it. I left it running through the original bracket and reworking the attachment to the bellypan to make it work.

[jwgilesjr]

That works. In my case, I disconnected it at both ends and pulled it out. Once the lift was installed, I threaded it back through and was able to reattach without modification.

[GCinSC2]

Guys,

John, Silvereagle6 has hydraulic brakes, steel brake line runs to a fixed point on the frame and then transitions to high pressure brake hoses to each caliper.

Electric brakes have electric wires, no comparisons about length possible IMHO.

My rig has disc brakes.

[explore more]

It'd probably be best to get brake lines that are 3" longer then. That's what I end up doing whenever I lift a vehicle with discs.

[GCinSC2]

I've tried to find a chart or file that lists end config and length. Not found yet. Everything has been make/model/year driven so far for cataloging.

I'm going to look at mine and see if my pre recall hose config that I made up has a chance. It's a brake hose and 3/8 to M10 bubble steel coupling line.

The line on the frame is 3/8 24 3/16 inverted tube and the caliper is M10 bubble. They used an M10 to 3/8 24 adaptor at the caliper.

[ttbikes]

So Vester (my trailer guy) is putting an axle lift on my 64 Tradewind tomorrow. We are using 2 by 3 in. channel and most likely reinforcing the vertical plate which is just 3/16 in. We will also tack weld the channel because there are just 2 bolts holding axle on each side. I will post a picture if I can get a good shot. We installed a new black water tank and added a gray water tank but lost 3 in. of clearance and I could no longer get the trailer in my driveway without building a ramp. The new clearance is now the same as some SOB's but I like to keep it in driveway to work on it. Also afraid of getting pined in somewhere because of the lower clearance.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ttbikes

So Vester (my trailer guy) is putting an axle lift on my 64 Tradewind tomorrow. We are using 2 by 3 in. channel and most likely reinforcing the vertical plate which is just 3/16 in. We will also tack weld the channel because there are just 2 bolts holding axle on each side. I will post a picture if I can get a good shot. We installed a new black water tank and added a gray water tank but lost 3 in. of clearance and I could no longer get the trailer in my driveway without building a ramp. The new clearance is now the same as some SOB's but I like to keep it in driveway to work on it. Also afraid of getting pined in somewhere because of the lower clearance.

Do you know, that changing torsion axles after about 25 years, also raises the trailer 3 inches ??

Raising the trailer and having axles with worn out rubber rods, does not in any way provide the soft ride that an Airstream must have, or else.

Andy

[wdkennedy]

Some of what I have learned about torsion axles.
Until two years ago, torsion axles were not adjustable in height. Now they are available in a fashion that allows height to be adjusted. More angle on trailing arm gives more height clearance. A set will probably run about $1700.
Our local Frontier Trailers sells 40 to 50 stock and horse trailers per year with torsion axles instead of leaf spring axles. They have never seen any worn out.

My next stop is Basin Tire to check tire clearance. In the meantime I will disassemble my septic to figure out if I can gain clearance with different plumbing. Maybe relocate the shutoff valve to a horizontal position with plumbing below to tie into the grey water.

[ttbikes]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Do you know, that changing torsion axles after about 25 years, also raises the trailer 3 inches ??

Raising the trailer and having axles with worn out rubber rods, does not in any way provide the soft ride that an Airstream must have, or else.

Andy

I of course agree with you. Got a new Dexter axle, centramatics and electric brakes though you two years ago. That was job one on the my renovation.

[SilverEagle6]

This past weekend I took the plunge and bribed a good friend to install the dexter lift kit. A full two day job. I have disc brakes, no issues at all on the brake line.

The major problem we encountered was the rear belly pan. We had to drop it and cut the front corners off. This was a real PITA. Not quite as bad, but still a pita, getting to the bolts for tightening. One of them, Gary had to fish the bolt and washer.

Watching my friend do this work, I must say his ingenuity and resourcefulness is nothing but amazing. Examples, we did not drop the pan to the ground because of the valves. He used a jig saw and small hand saw for most of the cuts. One of the areas those two cutters could not get to. Gary pulls out and produces a "nibbler" and proceeded to cut five inches of the tank....many, many hand pulls. Another example was the two wenches we bought from Northern tools, a stubby 15/16 and a 10" 15/16. They were both too thick and Gary ground them down to be able to get next to the side by side bolts. These two wrenches shared the workload 50/50. On the street side rear axle, these wrenches met their downfall.....until Gary added a 12" extension. Enlarge the photo and you can see where they were ground

I'll add a few more pictures.

If Gary wants to chime in on any or all, please do. I can't thank him enough. It was a great learning experience for me. At one point I wish we had not done it. But now, glad we did.

[SilverEagle6]

Pan lowered.both front corners of the pan by the rivets had to be cut out.

My plan to patch the holes is to use this rubber sided thin metal they use as flashing for window install.,it has a strong adhesive that I will reinforce.

[SilverEagle6]

Finished product. I have 16" wheels and they are below the wheel well by almost 2".

After install I drove about 150 miles to get home. No issues, country roads,m4 lanes and busy interstate.