I would recommend turning the block on the other side. Then use a piece of wood to cover holes, this transfers the webbing of the block to the ground. Blocks turned on the side the way they are at the 2:10 Mark are very fragile and could crush under weight.

The main reason you can't just flip the axles upside down is that the axle has a bow in them which affects tow in and out and castor and camber. When you flip them it changes all these angles which will really change your towing ability. With the axle flipped and the toe in at the back of the axle and the toe out at the front now, the trailer will wander all over the road and man you don't want that. My wife and I bought a used camper which had the axles flipped and the guy did exactly that and let me tell you that trailer was a dead trap to pull. It actually almost killed us when we were pulling it down the hiway. It started to sway from side to side to the point of the trailer just about hitting the truck bumper. All I have to say is it's a good thing I have a lot of trailer pulling experience. Just my three cents worth.

@raywhyte7916

10 жыл бұрын

"THE SHADOW KNOWS" thanks for your three cents worth. If you read through the comments below, I have been preaching this for some time. Guys usually want to use the existing spring saddles because they don't have access to a welder. If you are purchasing a used trailed which has been lifted, take a good look at the axle/axles and make sure the factory arch in the axle is at the top and not the bottom, and a second thing to look for, does the axle have a set of saddles on the top as well as the bottom of the axle. If there is only one saddle on one side, then make sure to check for the arch. The exception is, a lot of newer trailers come from the factory already lifted and would only have spring saddles on the top of the axle. Wow, that got kind of wordy, but if you still can't figure it out, just email me. whyterj@shaw.ca

@TychoHybrid

9 жыл бұрын

Ray Whyte I was really curious about this myself but what really made me enjoy the answer was your reply "THE SHADOW KNOWS" even as a young fella myself, I got the reference. :) Great video, as well. Thanks Ray!

@danmoffett64

9 жыл бұрын

Ray Whyte I agree. Not like the axles on a truck where everything is straight.

@raywhyte7916

7 жыл бұрын

You just summed up the comments below.

@valeriebancroft1162

7 жыл бұрын

Dan Moffett

There is a reason for not the existing saddles. Most trailer axles of this type have a slight upward arc to them to provide a built in flex and strength factor. If you flip the axle the arch is now bowed down and reduces the strength and capacity. The other thing it would affect is the electric brakes, they are now in a position they were not designed to work in. Some axles are straight and could be flipped 180 degrees but if they have brakes, it would affect their performance. Ray

Thank you for posting Ray, I will be using this as a guide when I raise my TT.

@raywhyte7916

9 жыл бұрын

George Bowman If you have any questions, even insignificant ones, don't hesitate to email me. I have walked many a handyman through this project. whyterj47@gmail.com

For anybody else watching this video if you're going to use concrete blocks the holes should be vertical and not horizontal for structural strength

nice video, your showed good detail and explained clearly. thanks.

Well done presentation! Helpful!

Thanks Mark, I have a bunch more videos on my web site, and more coming up. Subscribe to my KZread if you want to view more upcoming videos. Or go to my web site listed in my video description.

I was wondering if you could do that I always thought those things looked to low to the ground. Awesome to know if we decide on a trailer, that we can have this done or Ill do it myself. Thanks!

The saddles for the axles were bought at Princess Auto in Kelowna B.C. Canada. Any stores handling suspension parts should have them in stock. Make sure to measure the axle width, to get the proper size.

Good job!

Good eye catching this mistake on my part. (Time Index 2:06) If you notice the block behind this one, I have a 2x6 on top to keep my jack stand from falling into the block openings. The one in the foreground I misplaced the 2x6 under the block so I used the flat side of the block. You are right the strength is not there with the block on it's side. Thanks for catching this so future viewers don't make the same mistake.

New Saddles; I'm in B.C. Canada so I bought my from Princess Auto they carry a good selection of suspension parts ("I LOVE PRINCESS A"). In other locations, just look up a suspension shop, make sure you measure the diameter of your axle so you can get the right size.

im assuming its the same for a 5ver? i love princess auto too. cheers from qualicum beach

Hey, where did you get new saddles for your axle?

Ray Whyte...I agree with your opinion. But I'm use to slicing the perches off and it's no big deal. Quick and easy.

@raywhyte7916

7 жыл бұрын

Robert, my new perches were less than $10.00. I feel you risk weakening your axle with heat at this very critical point, and a hacked off perch will not sit properly on the axle. This is my opinion. I was born is Scotland but even I'm not that thrifty. Good luck Lad!

Just remember everybody, your now 6 1/2" higher up top as well. You also need to take that into account on the teeter-totter effect at the ends of the trailer for when you enter and exit areas with restricted overhead clearances. After all, you do not want to scrape off your overhead a/c unit or whack door or roof openings as you enter, exit or pass under. (A number of KZread videos show just that happening. That can be an expensive oops.)

One more thought, now that the camper sits higher you will need to change the hitch height so the camper tows level. good luck

I'm sure you are very proud of your project. Does this alter your construction and use and design of the vehicle? Wouldn't invalidate your insurance?

@raywhyte7916

7 жыл бұрын

If you take a look at all the new travel trailers, most are coming from the factory with the springs on top of the axle. It takes them a while to catch up and see the benefits of raising the plumbing high enough that you don't tear it of.

Just curious, if You needed more height, could You put taller tires, now that You have more clearance?

@raywhyte7916

6 жыл бұрын

Could do but the clearance is ample with the tires on it now.

Always put a .75.000 bow high in the middle of the 102' axle. If not, you'll be changing tires like a boss.

is there something wrong with using the factory spring perches by just rolling the axle over

@raywhyte7916

8 жыл бұрын

+GRASS GUY Using the existing spring perches is a definite NO NO! Just scroll down in the comments for the reason. Your comment is the most common question asked.

hey Ray,, i wanna do that to my trl,, but if the axle tube is about 3" diameter how come you ended up with about 6" inch lift at the end?.

@raywhyte7916

7 жыл бұрын

Hector you are moving the axle from below the springs to on top of the springs. So you are gaining 3 inches for the axle and the thickness of the spring pack at the axle, usually 3 - 3 1/2 inches. In my case these were the exact measurements thus, a lift of 6 1/2 inches. Good luck with your project, take your time and enjoy the experience.

@hectorortega9131

7 жыл бұрын

Ray Whyte ok.. now i see, i wasnt tak8ng the spring pack in the equation.. great, thanks for your reply, 👍

Is it possible to remove brake backing plate and flip it 180° to avoid having to weld a new cradle on the axle?

@raywhyte7916

8 жыл бұрын

+E.e. W. I know the welding part of this project can be a problem for some home handymen. There are no short cuts for a reason. Read all the comments from the beginning and your questions will be answered. The cradles are not expensive, remove the axle and take it to welding shop, it is a 20 minute job. Good luck.

@e.e.w.2637

8 жыл бұрын

Thx.

Michael Parker.. You could consider using an adjustable HITCH on the truck. You could raise the ball up, lowering the ass end and leveling the whole trailer. This will save you the work of changing the axle height. Your comment timing is right on. I just finished recording a video this afternoon addressing the setup for an adjustable hitch. It will take me a few days to get the production finished. Just subscribe to my site and you will get a notification when the video is posted for viewing.

Just wondering why you didn't just turn axle upside down instead of welding axles thank you for you time

Paul G, the same basic steps are for both 5th wheals and travel trailers. Just keep in mind your pin on the trailer will be higher after the flip. You will have to raise the 5th wheel hitch in the truck or lower the pin. There are elevation blocks you can purchase for this purpose. In my case I had to buy an adjustable trailer hitch to get the trailer ball at the proper height so my trailer rode level when attached to my truck. Good lick if you do this project. Check out my web site, there is lots of info in my RV section. www.raywhyte.ca

dankbobby; The height of the trailer does not line up with my hitch now. I purchased an adjustable hitch which I had to add a mod to accommodate the dual anti sway bars I use. I will be posting a video of this in the near future. I also needed an extra step so my wife could get in comfortably. This mod video is already on my web site www.raywhyte.ca

The biggest problem I see with this is the changed center of gravity (as he said in video), increasing the chance of a rollover. The manufacturer simply didn't design the interior (furniture, storage, etc) with this increased height in mind. Perhaps not a problem if compensated for while loading.

i need to do the opposite of what u did and lower mine i have a camper frame that we scraped the camper and im turning into a trailer and when i pull with my truck the ass end is all the way up in the air

hi,,,,,,i have a 6x10 cargo trail gvwr 2990. not sure of actual trailer weight. the trailer stands aprox.86 " high. my garage door opening is only 84" . due to hoa rules where i live i have to keep it in my garage. i was able to get it in just barely by flattening the wheels. but this s not to practical to use the trailer often.i have decided to leave it on just bare rims to solve my clearance problem to pul it in and out of the garage. and install the rimed tires once in the driveway.what i would like to know is can i raise the trailer safely leaving the hitch connected to my truck and jacking the trailer up from the center of the rear with a 3 ton floor jack to install both tires with out having to jack it up twice once from either side? will the floor jack lift the weight enough to get the tires on ? will this procedure be safe to do? keep in mind i will chock the truck tires and use jack stands under the rear when enough height is reached to take off the bare rims and install the tires.

@raywhyte7916

8 жыл бұрын

+bob woerner Well Bob, that is a real pain in the butt, but here is my suggestion. You want to get the trailer up in the air with as little fooling around as you can. Here is what I would try. Make 2 simple ramps from 2x6 lumber. Screw enough pieces together to make the ramps high enough so you can pull the trailer up high enough on the front rims so you can install the back tires. Now back the trailer up on 2...2x6's raising the whole trailer on the back tires. Remove the front ramps and install the the front tires. You may have to install some rubber(old tire tube, scrap conveyor belt or whatever on the bottom of the front ramps to keep them from slipping on the driveway. Let us all know if this works. Best thing it's not a lot of $$$ to invest. I would be cautious jacking the trailer from the center of the axle, it could bend depending on how much weight you have in the trailer. The axles are arched upwards (just take a look at them from the back of the trailer) to counter act bending, lifting the entire weight of the trailer could result in damage to the axle. Sorry, if you use a jack you should lift under the spring shackle which results in having to jack it up twice.

@raywhyte7916

8 жыл бұрын

+Ray Whyte One other thought, your ramps may have to be fairly long or be interlocking pieces to avoid hitting the ramp with the front spring shackles before the front drum starts to ride up the ramp.

@bobwoerner8731

8 жыл бұрын

that would be great if i had duel wheels...... unfortunately it a single axle trailer......... also i was referring to jacking up the trailer from the rear in the center not from the axle. ....thank you for your reply.

A viewer had the following question but provided an incorrect email address, so I am posting it on their behalf for all to see. Question from (bsibs) Why did you have to buy new saddles? Can't you just turn the axles 180? Ray

Never mind ray I found my answer in past comments Ty

If you're going to use cinder blocks please flip them so that the sit as the would in a wall with the openings at top and bottom. Time index 2:06 has one on its side under a jack stand and it is probably fine with the relatively light load of this trailer and the fact that you have redundant jack points. But don't get in the habit of using them on their side please.

Why did you have to buy new saddles? Can't you just turn the axles 180?

Reply to Dan Coffman's question - Why not flip the axle over and use the existing spring saddles? Excellent question but a disaster waiting to happen. Just scroll down the comments and see the answer.

Also couldn't You have just turned the axles a half of a turn and did the same thing without wielding new brackets on them?

@raywhyte7916

6 жыл бұрын

Read the comments, this question has been asked many times. Sorry bud your going to have to weld.

I read the comments and that's fine if you have cheap stamped perches I own a very high end toy hauler 42' three axles and my perches are very heavy gauge steel 1/4" thick and low to the axle I just don't think I would need new ones I went down to the rv dealership where I got it and the perches they have are no thicker if as thick as what I have on it

@raywhyte7916

8 жыл бұрын

+GRASS GUY I'm having a little difficulty understanding the problem here. Are your axles below the springs or on top of the springs?

Those relatively thin flat steel u-bolt clamping plates don't look like the proper ones, I noticed in one photo of the completed project the clamping plate has bowed and distorted considerably. Not good for maintaining proper pre-load on the u-bolt! Usually the clamping plates supplied by reputable axle manufacturers are a formed stamped steel.

@raywhyte7916

9 жыл бұрын

George Mayhew You are right George, the clamping plates are bowed. I torqued those suckers down so they will never come loose. They are the original stamped steel plates supplied by the trailer manufacturer. The next time they come off, which will probably be never, they will be replaced. Until then, the suspension package is secure.

if anything fails and any one of those cement blocks came under pressure...... you be dead ! those cement blocks have killed many diy guys . no matter what or how you use them they will kill you. and with jack stands on them , i swear to you that they will fail with 200 lb s pressure or less. you lucky you still alive.

@raywhyte7916

8 жыл бұрын

+skipper skipper In retrospect skipper, I would not use concrete blocks again. As you pointed out there is no way to determine if they will fail or not. In this project I used them as stabilisers and not so much to carrying the bulk of the weight. The weight of the trailer was supported on the tongue and the four crank-down jack stands. Thanks for your comment.

Instead of flipping the axle.... burn the spring perches off the bottom and install them on the top. Now things should be right. NEVER, NEVER FLIP AN AXLE .Manufactures build the trailers low for correct traveling handling habits.

@raywhyte7916

7 жыл бұрын

Just to clarify the term "Flipping the Axle". Robert I know you know this but for those that don't, you do not flip the axle by rolling it over to use the spring perches already installed on the axle. What you actually do is install new spring perches on the top of the axle and flip it from on top of the axle to under the axle. This gives you the lift you want, which can be pre-calculated by measuring and totaling the thickness of the axle + the thickness off the spring package. I don't suggest trying to salvage the existing perches, new perches are only a few $ and you risk weakening the axle by trying to cut off the old ones.

.............:)

Why can you not just flip the axle?

@raywhyte7916

7 жыл бұрын

Using the existing spring perches is a definite NO NO! you cannot just rotate the axles. Take a good look at your axles and you will see they have an upward arch in them. They must be installed with the arch up to maintain their maximum strength. Therefore you must weld on new saddles to set the springs on.