Shocks with 3" Lift

[bickp]

Originally Posted by sk3225

Bickp - Can you tell me how much AS Jackson Center charged for the installation of the lift kit?

Too much, but I was being pretty nitpicky about the warranty items, so I was ok with some customer pay. Labor was $810. (6 hours @ 135) Lift kits were marked up to 349.60 times 2 = Total $699.20

[bickp]

Originally Posted by Coop

Has anyone straight out asked Jackson center whether it voids the warranty or it doesn’t? And will they provide a response in writing either way?

I'm sure I asked and I'm sure they said they will still honor the warranty but I did not force them to put it in writing.

I had both the lift kit and two Micro Air easy starts installed by JC on the same visit. There are strings on airforums that mentions that the Easy starts also void the warranty.

If dealers' answer to the contrary I would call customer service at JC and ask them. It would be interesting to hear them say yes they install them and yes they void the warranty. If customer service does not know, ask for the service department.

[AdvToaster]

Here’s the thing about warranties. In the US the Mangussen-Moss act protects consumers from a manufacturer wholesale cancelling a warranties because you modified a vehicle (or didn’t use their oil, mechanics, etc). A specific part or system can be denied warranty coverage if the manufacturer can demonstrate that a change you made caused the damage.

They cannot void your entire warranty because you lift the trailer. What they could do is refuse coverage on the shocks or maybe the axles because the change you made may have affected them.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by bickp

Too much, but I was being pretty nitpicky about the warranty items, so I was ok with some customer pay. Labor was $810. (6 hours @ 135) Lift kits were marked up to 349.60 times 2 = Total $699.20

Dang I’m too cheap.....

[Milo1952]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Dang I’m too cheap.....

Hoping you don't raise your prices before I see you at the end of June , beginning of July.

Harry

[Spartan Rick]

Has anyone tried air-bags as used on rear axles of the pickups, for temporary lifts for curbs etc? I'm thinking of that; just on the rear axle, and an electric pump / gauge.. Lets you live with the lower stance the rest of the time.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Spartan Rick

Has anyone tried air-bags as used on rear axles of the pickups, for temporary lifts for curbs etc? I'm thinking of that; just on the rear axle, and an electric pump / gauge.. Lets you live with the lower stance the rest of the time.

You lift the pickup..the rear of the trailer goes down..dragging...the 3” lift is great..40,000 miles plus..

[GMFL]

Lifted our 30’ GT yesterday.

[Spartan Rick]

Hi TJ, Sorry if I had that confusing; I'm talking about air bags to lift at the rear axle of the trailer (temporarily or however you like) for rear end / curb clearance, lifting the rear of the trailer whatever your setup at the front is..
As on the pickup, I like the idea of having the lift only when you need it.
Cheers,
Rick

[Action]

Originally Posted by Spartan Rick

Has anyone tried air-bags as used on rear axles of the pickups, for temporary lifts for curbs etc? I'm thinking of that; just on the rear axle, and an electric pump / gauge.. Lets you live with the lower stance the rest of the time.

Lift or do not lift. There is no in between.

Unless you are completing removing the existing torsion axles, designing and building a new suspension system and suspension system mounting, it is not practical or reasonable to add air suspension to a torsion axle. A torsion axle with INTERNAL pieces for springing is nothing like an external metal spring. Either coiled or in a leaf.

The movement for the wheel assembly is provided by internal rubber rods with no access to the rubber rods without destroying the axle.

Adding some type of other adjustable suspension (Air or some adjustable feature) to the existing mounting of the torsion axle mounting would not be a stable platform for a trailer to be mounted to a suspension in that manner.

The closest one could get is an air shock. The issue is the shocks of an Airstream are mounted nearly horizontally. (On non-weight bearing mounts) The shock is ONLY available from Airstream. And does NOT come in an air adjustable model. No other vertically mounted shock will work in this application.

Action

[oilstream]

We installed a lift kit on our 30’ Flying Cloud and we love it. Highly recommend!

[mikesSE]

Why not order the new axles with the extra angle to lift the trailer? Factory can install the new axles during the months it takes for delivery.

[Lara_From_NC]

Love all the info on lift kits....but I have a three axle 1996 Classic 34. And yes, I must have dragged the rear end a few times and not noticed (it is close to 50 ft behind me). Why to I think I've dragged the south end of the trailer? Because all three tanks (black, grey, and fresh) will not hold water. I'm thinking I've managed to bollix up at least a couple pieces of plumbing. If not all of it....sigh.


So, I'm looking at putting a lift kit on Al Vardo. But I don't know if Dexter (or anyone else) makes a three axle lift kit.


Could some kind soul point me in the right direction?


Thank you,
Herky Gal

[guskmg]

Airstream and Dexter will not sell or instal three axle lift kits. Even Colin Hyde recommends against it. They all say go with the 35 degree arms. Sure is expensive if you do not need new axles anyway. Side load of the lifting components is the problem. BTW, I threw a wheel weight a while back making a sharp turn. So, I guess the wheels also flex as well as the frame and lift components during tight turns.
guskmg

[Lara_From_NC]

Well, that isn't what I wanted to hear.


What are "35 degree arms"? Are they a type of axle or shock? I suspect I'm riding on the original axles.

[AdvToaster]

Originally Posted by Lara_From_NC

Well, that isn't what I wanted to hear.


What are "35 degree arms"? Are they a type of axle or shock? I suspect I'm riding on the original axles.

They’re replacement axles from Dexter that have the arms set at a steeper angle, giving your trailer a lift without lift blocks.

[Lara_From_NC]

AdvToaster, thank you for the explanation. I'll get in touch with Dexter to get more details.



Thank you

[Lara_From_NC]

Well, just talked to the nice folks at Jackson Center (aka "The Mothership") and will be taking Al Vardo to Ohio for her repairs. I've wanted to go there since we got her, so it's all good.

[AdvToaster]

Originally Posted by Lara_From_NC

Well, just talked to the nice folks at Jackson Center (aka "The Mothership") and will be taking Al Vardo to Ohio for her repairs. I've wanted to go there since we got her, so it's all good.

Awesome, glad it’s working out!

[ekbruster]

Just sent inquiry to the Airstream factory service center, they quoted me $1850 parts and labor to install a 3" lift on a 30ft flying cloud.