Trailer sits very low

[Margaux]

So I was crawling around under my new trailer today and I realised that the clearance was so low that I couldn't roll over. My hips don't fit. I had noticed when I arrived that the trailer sat low, but I hadn't realised the extent of it. It's been parked outside all winter, so it could just be that the tires need a little air, but I thought that I'd ask how normal this is, before trying to move it... I'm a total newbie at this so every little thing that's not the same as the trailers I've dealt with at work induces worrying.

[LadyWindrider]

Well, you didn't give us a lot to go on. What trailer, and what size are your hips? (sorry, couldn't resist). I'm 5'10", 130 pounds, 29 inch waist, and can fit under anything except a Mazda Miata. We aren't all created equal, neither are trailers. Now the question is, could you fit under it before? Since your post says new trailer, I can only assume you don't know how tall it is, and you have been under it. As an RV tech, some are higher than others, and not everyone will fit under some of them. Check the tire pressure, and measure both sides from the ground, if they are close, no problem, just the way it is made.

[Margaux]

There's only about a foot of air between the ground and the trailer, that's what concerns me. I can fit, I just can't turn around under there. It might be normal, though. I'm just panicky because I'm totally new at this. The tires need to be changed, whatever happens, they're pretty old.

[LadyWindrider]

Could be normal. Still didn't post trailer make/model. If you are on fairly level ground, with the trailer fairly level, and you put the step, or steps out, and it is a normal step from the ground to the step, then all is normal. It takes a lot more to drag one then you think.

[Margaux]

Oh, it's an appalache 1973. I have a pic, just a sec...

[bikendan]

just to clarify, that trailer is not a Forest River product.

you should be able to get some basic help here, but i seriously doubt anyone here might have owned one like yours.

not sure but i think it was made in Canada. maybe one our Canadian members might have owned one.

you also might want to join a non-brand specific RV forum, like RV.net.
you might get more help there than here.

[LadyWindrider]

Looking at the pics, the trailer is sitting normal. It looks fairly level, and only has one step, so it shouldn't be any higher. There's really not much reason to make them tall, especially back then, because few people had 4 wheel drive to drag anything off road.

Looks good for it's age.

[rkswyo]

I had a similar trailer years ago. I flipped the axle for more ground clearance. It was not that big of deal to do it and I gained right at 4" of clearance. You may consider the same if you are looking for more ground clearance.

[Thurman]

You may have the "Torsion" type axles, my Forest River does also. The Torsion axles use rubber bushings mounted into the ends of each axle and the spindle assembly are made to these. This allows the unit to sit closer to the ground/pavement than the spring type axles. I've seen some of the newer units made in the last two years with spring type axles which appear to be three feet (3 ft.) off the ground.

[DonG]

Thurman, I don't think they had torsion axles in 1973!