riser kit / lift kit

bpgast · 07-25-2013, 12:20 PM

I have a 2008 flagstaff 27bhss travel trailer. The ground clearance is very low and have a slanted driveway. Every time pulling in or out I hit my skid plates, getting really old.
I have read you can add a riser kit to the axles which will give you about another 2-3 inches which should work. They are around $300 buck, has anyone used/installed this kit?

Thanks in advance for any help.

brownie289 · 07-28-2013, 05:50 AM

I would like to ad one to my 2011 surveyor 295, same issues a couple of inches
would make a big difference.

Ripley711 · 07-28-2013, 06:15 AM

I have the same driveway as you described and my 2014 Salem Lite 261BHXL scrapes the triangle by the clean outs. For now I use a 2x6 under the wheels on that side when backing into the driveway. This gives me enough clearance. I have received a quote from the dealer this week for $120 for the lift kit (qty 2 as I have tandems) and $450 for install. I usually do work myself but the labor charge seems adequate for the work involved.

jtstromsburg · 07-28-2013, 07:17 AM

One quick thought is to not out weight distributing bars on until out of the drive. The bit more sag on the tow vehicle may be enough to get the rear if the camper up enough.
Just a thought

bpgast · 07-31-2013, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripley711

I have the same driveway as you described and my 2014 Salem Lite 261BHXL scrapes the triangle by the clean outs. For now I use a 2x6 under the wheels on that side when backing into the driveway. This gives me enough clearance. I have received a quote from the dealer this week for $120 for the lift kit (qty 2 as I have tandems) and $450 for install. I usually do work myself but the labor charge seems adequate for the work involved.

If you get it done, please update us.

Thinking of doing the work myself, anyone put this kit on themselves?

Ripley711 · 08-01-2013, 07:14 AM

I will gladly post an update (and photos if I can figure how to do it) and a report of the benefits of this expense. I feel it may be cheaper to do the lift than to replace the plumbing when I tear it off.

brownie289 · 08-04-2013, 07:35 AM

Can you put a lift kit in even if they are leaf springs?

Dave_Monica · 08-04-2013, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie289

Can you put a lift kit in even if they are leaf springs?

The common practice to raise a camper with leaf spring suspension is to either drop the spring mounting to a lower hole in the shackle (if it have more than 1 hole) or remounting the axle tube from on top of the spring to mounting on the bottom of the spring.

If there are no other mounting holes in the shackle and the axle is already mounted on the bottom of the spring, you could add a spacer with a cross brace between the shackle mounting and the frame.

Dave

Tee · 08-08-2013, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripley711

I have the same driveway as you described and my 2014 Salem Lite 261BHXL scrapes the triangle by the clean outs. For now I use a 2x6 under the wheels on that side when backing into the driveway. This gives me enough clearance. I have received a quote from the dealer this week for $120 for the lift kit (qty 2 as I have tandems) and $450 for install. I usually do work myself but the labor charge seems adequate for the work involved.

You don't happen to have the part number for the riser kit do you? My dealer is telling me this does not exist

Ripley711 · 08-10-2013, 06:06 AM

The dealer did not supply the part number to me, but you can give them a call and they may give it to you. The dealer is Hemlock Hills Rv in Southington CT. The parts department has been very helpful. I usually deal with Missy. Feel free to mention that you talked with Darryl about this. I will definitely be doing this mod once the trailer is winterized this year as the damage that can occur getting into my driveway is will be more than the kit and labor. Let me know how you make out.

RockyMtns · 09-22-2013, 03:29 PM

I've got extra risers for sale (factory new with hardware and instruction sheet) for Lippert axles. The post is on the classified page. Photos of my installation plus some others (plus an explanation of how I ended up with additional riser kits) is on the mods page. Search "axles risers" or "OEM lift kit" to see th posts. The installation is pretty simple.

Ripley711 · 12-03-2013, 02:01 PM

Update on my riser kit for my TT. The parts were ordered today, at a cost of $150, and are expected to be delivered at the dealer this Thursday. I will be taking the TT out of winter storage in my backyard to bring up to the dealer on Saturday for the install. They have estimated a cost of $400 for the install. With tandems I have no interest in doing this myself. While it is there they are going to be checking out a cut powerfeed wire that I found that powers the hot water heater, and also a slow draining grey water tank. When I get the TT back I will post pics of the finshed product. The estimated rise will be 4". Lets hope that is enough to stop me from scraping when backing in my driveway.

SAILINGERIE · 01-07-2014, 11:44 AM

I received the riser kits from Rockwood / Forest River for my Windjammer. I installed the kits myself it only took a few hours. Just jack the trailer up so tires are about 4-6" off the ground and set it on jack stands. Remove the tires / wheels. Loosen all of the fasteners to allow the axle assemblies to swing down one side at a time. Use a floor jack under the axles to lower and raise them while installing the riser kits. Tighten all fasteners to snug than torque them after the trailer weight is loaded with tires on the ground. The additional clearance between tires and wheel wells and additional ground clearance is awesome! This was a warranty claim just an FYI. They also sent me 4 new tires as mine were rubbing the deck under the wheel wells.

russellspence · 01-17-2014, 10:13 AM

I know this subject has been discussed but I still need some advice/direction.

I have the Rockwood Signature Lite 5th wheel with torsion suspension. I need to lit the body for more clearance. I went to the dealer to ask them to provide a quote and their service guy had no clue. I had to even tell him about this forum and that riser kits exist.

Since they are less than capable, who and how can I contact the factory or individual where I can order a riser kit?

Thanks in advance

RPS

Riverton, WY

Mtelkman · 01-17-2014, 10:52 AM

Here is a link to the torsion axle kit for my Flagstaff 5er with torsion axles.
http://www.dexteraxle.com/inc/sdetail/45177/50093

russellspence · 01-17-2014, 02:28 PM

Thanks much or the response and the link.

mstell2 · 02-27-2014, 10:00 PM

I want to do this to my rockwood 5th wheel. No matter how low I put the hitch the camper rides high in the front.

mstell2 · 03-16-2014, 12:52 PM

Sailingerie, do you have dexter axles or al-ko?

davel1971 · 03-16-2014, 01:03 PM

I would like to raise my Coachmen 5th wheel too. I need to raise hitch for rail clearance, but want to keep trailer level also.

WWTTA · 03-21-2014, 12:01 AM

Sailingerie, what kind of axles do you have. We have a 2012 V Lite W30FKSS, and have AL-KO torsion flex axles. We have never had any problems with the tires rubbing the wheel wells, but after reading some of the horror stories, decided to check our tire clearance before heading out this spring. We found we only have between 1 1/4 inches and 1 3/4 inches clearance between the tires and the deck above the tires. From what I have read, we should be seeing a minimum of 2 inches with 3 inches preferred. We are out of warranty, but could you share your Forest River contact for getting the riser kits so we can find out if we indeed need to add them and be sure we get the correct kits?

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