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04-21-2016, 04:43 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 32
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Can you rotate an axle 180 degrees?
I have a Coachman 17FQ and need to get a little more clearance for 15" tires. So I know that the axle needs to be under the springs, and a new perch needs to be welded on the top of the axle as that is what everyone seems to do.
But I was laying under the trailer looking at the axle setup, and it seems like all that needs to be done is just rotate the axle so the spring perches are on top.
That just seems too simple, what am I missing?
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04-21-2016, 04:53 PM
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#2
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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Typically axles are bent upwards to allow for the weight to "straighten" it. You need to weld the new perches. Now a lippert kit I had seen said they did not need to be welded but recommended a tac weld.
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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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04-21-2016, 05:01 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doc73
Typically axles are bent upwards to allow for the weight to "straighten" it. You need to weld the new perches. Now a lippert kit I had seen said they did not need to be welded but recommended a tac weld.
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Ok, that makes sense. I knew I was missing something.
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04-21-2016, 05:47 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 197
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There is no need to weld the saddle on either the Lippert or Dexter kits since the new saddles brace against the existing ones welded on at the factory. Just take careful measurements so the new saddles are parallel with the old and once you torque the u-bolts it ain't gonna move.
That said I did weld mine since I have a welder and it only took a second or two after I had everything "right" where I wanted it. The part that took me the longest time was jacking up and supporting the trailer.
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John & Mary Jo
Enjoying the adventure
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04-21-2016, 06:02 PM
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#5
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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Yeah, DO NOT use the stabilizer jacks to hold things up... That will end badly for you.
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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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04-21-2016, 07:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 354
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You also need to rotate the brake assemblies.
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2016 Wildwood 32BHDS
2004 F-250 CC 4X4 V10
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04-21-2016, 09:32 PM
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#7
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
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Why? If the axle is just moved under the springs, nothing is rotated. Nothing to rotate. The hardest part is jacking the trailer.. I know I did it the swap.
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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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04-21-2016, 11:05 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 513
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It's called an axle flip. Wheels stay in same position axle just gets moved above or below springs. I gained 3-4"s. Looked a little goofy with the smaller tires but it gave me the clearance it needed. Back skids were dragging on driveway apron prior to flip.
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04-21-2016, 11:47 PM
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#9
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
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Yes it does. Have 14" rims and the little 27" tires. I gained prob 5" of lift!
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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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04-22-2016, 05:41 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 354
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doc73
Why? If the axle is just moved under the springs, nothing is rotated. Nothing to rotate. The hardest part is jacking the trailer.. I know I did it the swap.
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Correct, OP was asking about turning them over.
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2016 Wildwood 32BHDS
2004 F-250 CC 4X4 V10
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04-22-2016, 05:47 AM
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#11
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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While you COULD spin the axle 180, it is not recommended due to the preload in the axle.
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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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04-22-2016, 10:47 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mars
Correct, OP was asking about turning them over.
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Yes, but looks like I have to go with the regular flip. Bummer is that I don't have a flat area to put the trailer on and do it myself.
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04-22-2016, 01:41 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,397
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Nope. Axles are pre-bent to accommodate the load. Bend looks like downturned lips. Rotate 180 degrees to upturned lips and your wheels will be splayed out at the bottom=bad.
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04-22-2016, 01:56 PM
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#14
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by proride
Yes, but looks like I have to go with the regular flip. Bummer is that I don't have a flat area to put the trailer on and do it myself.
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Just hook it to the tow vehicle and jack it up on the frame. Doesn't have to be on level ground as long as you can get both tires on the same axle off the ground.
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04-22-2016, 03:26 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 415
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doc73
Why? If the axle is just moved under the springs, nothing is rotated. Nothing to rotate. The hardest part is jacking the trailer.. I know I did it the swap.
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I'm kind of with Mars on this. When you rotate the axle tube isn't it going to rotate your backing plates etc at the same time? Or what am I missing.
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Floyd & Carolyn
2012 F150 S/crew 4X4 6.2L 6Spd Tow Max Firestone airbags. 2011 28RKS Wildcat. Yamaha 3000iseb Gen.
2014 57 nights.2015 116 nights .2016 96 nights .2017 72 nights. 2018 157 nights. 2019 52nights.2020/21 118 nights. 2022 115nights 
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04-22-2016, 04:48 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Filterman
I'm kind of with Mars on this. When you rotate the axle tube isn't it going to rotate your backing plates etc at the same time? Or what am I missing.
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You are correct, if it's a 180 rotation like my original question, yes everything is rotated. But that is not going to work as I did not account for the axle being angled.
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