Raising the trailer 3"

[rocknfellow]

I recently purchased a 2016 International, it has been raised 3", I would like some opinions of the pros and cons of this modification.
Thanks,

[wulfraat]

There are only pros. There are no cons. Single best upgrade one can do.

[waninae39]

no cons that i know of

[Al and Missy]

What they said.

[Bruce B]

I am not trying to be difficult but I’d guess that raising the trailer 3” must have some impact on handling???
We have all dragged an end and it is often not pretty. I’d just be concerned with any impact to towing qualities...

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by Bruce B

I am not trying to be difficult but I’d guess that raising the trailer 3” must have some impact on handling???
We have all dragged an end and it is often not pretty. I’d just be concerned with any impact to towing qualities...

Literally zero impact on handling. You cannot tell it was lifted. Airstreams still maintain a very low center of gravity.

[Hermes]

I suppose it depends on where you park your Airstream, including inclined driveways. If you stick to paved roads and RV parks, you probably don't need a lift.

This fall we were in campgrounds with great views but the access to those sites was not completely level and with a 28' unit, the bumper skids would touch the ground (very slowly) on occasion. We also had to make sure that the grey and black tank valves were clear.

We will be definitely installing a lift kit in the spring.

There are a number of threads that have discussed this, don't recall anybody not being happy with the upgrade. It does require raising the hitch head 3".

Congratulations on your purchase!

[Glampman]

Assuming the lift was done correctly, it is a great investment for keeping the goodies underneath your trailer, particularly the back, in good working order. Plus additional gravity for emptying your black and grey tanks.

[Reeltimer]

Originally Posted by Glampman

Assuming the lift was done correctly, it is a great investment for keeping the goodies underneath your trailer, particularly the back, in good working order. Plus additional gravity for emptying your black and grey tanks.

We’ve never scraped, but we’ve been close. What’s the average cost to lift? I’m a DIY guy, but not if it’s past my pay grade.

[mojo]

The only con is the time it takes to install. It's a tight working space. If your trailer already has a lift installed, say thank you...

[Baby Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by mojo

The only con is the time it takes to install. It's a tight working space. If your trailer already has a lift installed, say thank you...

Yeah, it's a pain to do. Glad I did it. Only downside I can think of after a year or so is that I have to step up a tad more to reach the bottom step.

[jrhill]

Where do you get the kits?

[wulfraat]

Many places sell them. I bought mine from etrailer. This is the kit for #11 dexter axles installed on the 25'+ airstreams. 2 7/8" lift.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...71-724-02.html

Install Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsdveR_gPIA

I chose to have mine installed in a trusted local shop. $600. Worth every penny. My 30' install did require tabs to be welded to the bolts as with the install in the video.... I don't have a welder so DIY would have been a nightmare

[Travel Pro]

If done properly, the lift should not affect on-road handling in an appreciably negative way per much anecdotal testimony on this site The only downside I can think of that has so far not been mentioned in your thread is that a 3" lift makes your roof and its mounted hardware 3" closer to low limbs, low bridges on old roads, garage door top sills and gate top bars. I think it would be a good idea to know what your overall height is and to remember that that number varies at each end of the trailer when crossing high and low points in the road. When the hitch dips, the back end raises, and vice-versa.

[kscherzi]

One other possible con is that stabilizer jacks need to reach another 3" farther before touching the ground. Of course extra blocks can mitigate that.

[ChrisCRNA]

Putting a 3” lift on our 2016 30 Classic with the Vintage Basecamp Airstream in Crestwood, Ky. Parts and labor were quoted at $1760.00

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by ChrisCRNA;

Putting a 3” lift on our 2016 30 Classic with the Vintage Basecamp Airstream in Crestwood, Ky. Parts and labor were quoted at $1760.00

I paid $850 out the door. $250 for the kit and $600 for labor. I guess the shop I leveraged was kind to me

[sheriff1]

I’ve done 3 of them, 27FB, 30RBQ, and a 27 FB Eddie Bauer. All 3 took the #11 lift. Did it by myself and all were done after age 60. I did purchase a good battery impact gun for the last one, definitely made it easier. Each one took me a casual day to complete.
Definitely no cons to lifting, only positive and that’s with a combined towing distance of over 50k miles.

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

I paid $850 out the door. $250 for the kit and $600 for labor. I guess the shop I leveraged was kind to me

I don't think they were kind, they were fair. But you likely were being tongue-in-cheek :-) The fellow who posted a quote of $1,760...was simply being ripped off! Lord have mercy!!!

[WP53]

Our trusty local Airstream dealer quoted me a price of $1800 for the lift on our new 2021 FC 25. Wulfraat, I would love to know the name of your local shop, as I need to talk with them instead!