Anyone Installed Lift Kit On A 2018 Classic 33FB?

[jrkott]

Our 2018 Classic 33FB is wonderfully comfortable, low and long. I often worry as I carefully maneuver to avoid dragging or backing that long rear end and low sewer connect. Three more inches of clearance would be great when visiting the rougher and more scenic parks and hilly urban areas. Has anyone installed a Dexter Lift Kit? Is the Dexter #11 a good bolt on fit? I am concerned about fitment with the belly tanks and ability to handle the heavy load of a 33FB. Thanks for your help.

[james.mileur]

http://www.airforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189927

Seen this recent thread? Don't remember any 2018's in the sea stories.

[Jhess]

Originally Posted by jrkott

Our 2018 Classic 33FB is wonderfully comfortable, low and long. I often worry as I carefully maneuver to avoid dragging or backing that long rear end and low sewer connect. Three more inches of clearance would be great when visiting the rougher and more scenic parks and hilly urban areas. Has anyone installed a Dexter Lift Kit? Is the Dexter #11 a good bolt on fit? I am concerned about fitment with the belly tanks and ability to handle the heavy load of a 33FB. Thanks for your help.

Did you get the lift? If so how is it working out and did it change your towing any? This is something I’d like to do if we purchase the same 2019 unit.

[Zybane]

This is definitely on my to-do list.

[jrkott]

I called Dexter and gave them the numbers on my 2018 Classic 33FB axles. I have the 11 axles and they assured me the lift kit could handle the weight of the 33FB and should fit the frame mounting configuration. He said Airstream’s install of the tanks and covers was more custom than uniform, so I might need to get creative to accommodate wrench access to some of the fasteners, but it should fit without any drilling to the frame. When I asked about the effect on towing, he said I should raise my weight distribution tow ball the same three inches the lift kit raises the trailer and I should be good to go. The kit arrived two days later. I will install it when I get the unit back from warranty repairs on the projector and plumbing.

[Jhess]

Originally Posted by jrkott

I called Dexter and gave them the numbers on my 2018 Classic 33FB axles. I have the 11 axles and they assured me the lift kit could handle the weight of the 33FB and should fit the frame mounting configuration. He said Airstream’s install of the tanks and covers was more custom than uniform, so I might need to get creative to accommodate wrench access to some of the fasteners, but it should fit without any drilling to the frame. When I asked about the effect on towing, he said I should raise my weight distribution tow ball the same three inches the lift kit raises the trailer and I should be good to go. The kit arrived two days later. I will install it when I get the unit back from warranty repairs on the projector and plumbing.

Great, thanks for the update! Looking forward to hearing again after your install.

[ArkFortyCal]

Thumbs up on the Dexter lift. We installed this on our 30ft INTL to give us more ground clearance (esp. tail-drag). I had suspected there wouldn’t be any noticeable handling difference which ended up being true. Very happy.

[ArkFortyCal]

I meant to add: Of course we had to re-adjust our ProPride hitch setup.

[wulfraat]

Thumbs up on the Dexter lift. We installed this on our 30ft INTL to give us more ground clearance (esp. tail-drag). I had suspected there wouldn’t be any noticeable handling difference which ended up being true. Very happy.

Great to hear. My kit arrived and I plan to install on my 30’ international.

Did you install yourself? How hard was it to get at the bolts given the water tank covers?

[StuartsDad]

I can't speak specifically to the 30ft, but when I installed the kit on my 28ft in October, my tanks blocked bolt access to at least one bolt head on all four blocks. My work around was buying a cheap 15/16 combination wrench, cut it in half, taped each to end of pieces of rebar to make a long extension. This reached through the frame channel between tank and frame to get to the bolt heads to hold them. Some worked better with open end, others with box end.

[wulfraat]

My Dexter lift is being installed on my 30” international on Monday. Timeless Travel trailers in Denver are doing the work for me in their shop - 6 hours labor.

Swapped out the shank on my equalizer to raise the ball 3” to accommodate the lift.

Pictures to follow of the lifted rig - no more dragging the rear end over the smallest undulations in parking lots!

[mefly2]

Nice choice ...

[SnooMc]

So...are we going to need a lift kit on our (prospective) 27FB? We tend to get off the flat quite a bit...

[afk314]

Wulfraat - how'd it go, we want to see!


-A

[wulfraat]

Install is tomorrow more to come stay tuned....

[afk314]

Here's my trailer last Spring after our custom 4" lift. I still think its the best upgrade I've done.

[ArkFortyCal]

We had our lift installed so I couldn’t speak to any issues with the bolts.

In addition to the lift kit, we also installed 16 inch wheels and tires so we run a lot higher then the standard 30ft INTL (ours is a 2018).

I’ll take some pictures next time we have it out (in storage now).

[wulfraat]

Shazam! The 30’ International is lifted! Love it! Should be a factory option.

[Jhess]

[emoji106]

[tjdonahoe]

I did our 2013 31’ Classic...3” lift...really like it , been to Nova Scotia, to the west coast...