Does Flipping a Single Axle Cause a Drastic Change in Tongue Height

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Question:

Hello: Im seriously thinking of flipping the single axle on my Coachmen Clipper 17FQ 17-foot travel trailer to provide me with more ground clearance for two main reasons: 1 To allow me to move from a 185/80R/13 Load Range D tire which seems to be near the max of carrying capacity load bearing to a ST205/75R14 Load Range D which will more than accommodate my towing weight capacity of the trailer + cargo. 2 Also, I have a sewer hose tube bolted on underneath the original bumper which has many bolts going through it to hold on my two toolboxes I installed on the back bumper many years ago and this will insure enough ground clearance for this tube. My question though is: by gaining approximately six 6 inches in height with the axle flip, how will this affect my tongue angle vis-a-vis connecting up to my Equalizer Hitch which cannot be raised or elevated on the tow vehicle?

asked by: Mark

0

Expert Reply:

The tongue height of your trailer is going to increase in relation to the amount of lift gained from the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit part # K71-385-00 for 3" axles or part # K71-384-00 for 2-3/8" axles. The amount of height you gain will be equal to the diameter of the axle plus the height of the leaf spring seat and stack. Basically, the over under kit raises the trailer's frame and since the coupler is attached to the frame, it is going to raise that as well.

In order to minimize the amount of tongue height you gain, the only option would be to install an underslung trailer coupler like part # CA-5335-B. The other option you have opposed to the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit is to install taller leaf spring hangers which is still going to raise the coupler height but you can control the height gain more. This option however requires welding but I have still attached a list of the leaf spring hangers we offer for you.

The question I have for you is why the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System that you have cannot be raised? The shank can be flipped to give you a rise instead of a drop. If this is still not enough we have replacement shanks like part # EQ90-02-4500 which offer up to a 7" rise.

expert reply by: Conner L

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Answer 1

For 6,000 pound axles you will need springs that are rated for 3,000 pounds each. I recommend #e78SR. This spring is 25-1/4 inches long, 1-3/4 inches wide, and has 5 leaves. It is best to replace all of the springs at the same time so they wear…

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Answer 2

Adding the 5-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 6,000-lb Trailer Axles - 25-1/4" Long #e34SR will only increase the height of your 2014 Grand Design Reflection 303 LS if your springs sit on top of the axle. The leaf thickness is 3/8" with…

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Answer 3

The Lippert #LC1565391 Center Point air suspension is compatible with trailers that have axles up to 8K in capacity with 1-3/4 inch wide leaf springs and standard equalizer hangers that measure at least 2-1/2 Inches in height from the center of the…

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Answer 4

For 7,000 lb axles the leaf springs part #e64SR that you referenced are the way to go. These have 6 leafs so they are very stable and are also very popular size of 24-7/8 inches.

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Answer 5

The etrailer Leaf Springs we offer like the 5-Leaf Double-Eye Spring part #e34SR are very durable and have a great reputation for performance and longevity. In fact, we have hundreds of customer reviews on these leaf springs and most have given the…

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Answer 6

I contacted MORryde and this does happen from time to time as the weight of the trailer can spread out the axles due to downward pressure on the springs/suspension. Odds are the 35" wheel base #MR27ZR will be the correct one for you, but…

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Answer 7

To correctly measure a leaf spring, you'll want to jack the trailer up on jack stands so the axle is hanging freely, then measure directly across from the center of one spring eye to the other, as shown in the provided diagram. The height of the…

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Answer 8

Thank you for providing the specs for the suspension components that you already have. Correct hanger spacing really depends on the components being used such as springs, hangers and equalizers. Most of the hanger spacing dimensions that we have are…

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Answer 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

Well shackle length is mainly based on the height difference between the front and rear hangers. The rear hanger normally doesn't hang as low as the front so that the shackle can offset the difference and add the ability to move. What is the…

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Answer 11

For a single axle trailer, you want the shackle strap to be able to move so that you have the spring deflection needed for your suspension. Angled like the photo or even almost vertical is fine you just don't want the shackle strap to bind and…

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Answer 12

Hey Patrick, so for your leaf spring upgrade I am going to need to know a couple of things before I can get you over to the right part. Specifically, the length from eye to eye, the spring width, leaf thickness, and the number of leaves. From here I…

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Does Flipping a Single Axle Cause a Drastic Change in Tongue Height

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