Axle/Suspension Clearence

[wingfield4601]

I have a suspension question for the group. Has anyone modified their trailer suspension for more clearance? If so, what was the original clearence and what was the mod clearence? Reason I ask this is that I just had new Dexter Torsion Flex axles installed that took me from about 1 inch which is not enough to 4-5 inches which I wonder is too much. Can you have too much lift which might make the trailer unstable.

[Dwilcox]

On my SOB I had to have a 3" lift put in and I did not feel it was enough as tires could still scuff the wheel wells on a good bounce. I don't think 5" is to high but check with manufacture and remember, you have lower clearance now.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by wingfield4601

I have a suspension question for the group. Has anyone modified their trailer suspension for more clearance? If so, what was the original clearence and what was the mod clearence? Reason I ask this is that I just had new Dexter Torsion Flex axles installed that took me from about 1 inch which is not enough to 4-5 inches which I wonder is too much. Can you have too much lift which might make the trailer unstable.

4 or 5 inches should not do much as far as stability one way or the other. The concern may be can the frame support the added height in regards to twisting of the main frame rail itself.

Dexter makes a lift bracket for their torsion axles, but do not recommend using it if the axle already has what they refer to as high profile mounting brackets. When you increase the distance between bottom of frame where the mounting location is and the axles itself you increase the potential for twisting of the frame rail when you load it sideways, such as when turning.

Since these frames are made with the bare minimum required in both materials and engineering, some additional reinforcement might be needed in the form of gussets etc.

[wingfield4601]

Originally Posted by Dwilcox

On my SOB I had to have a 3" lift put in and I did not feel it was enough as tires could still scuff the wheel wells on a good bounce. I don't think 5" is to high but check with manufacture and remember, you have lower clearance now.

Thank you and I've already sent manufacturer an email asking that question.

[wingfield4601]

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

4 or 5 inches should not do much as far as stability one way or the other. The concern may be can the frame support the added height in regards to twisting of the main frame rail itself.

Dexter makes a lift bracket for their torsion axles, but do not recommend using it if the axle already has what they refer to as high profile mounting brackets. When you increase the distance between bottom of frame where the mounting location is and the axles itself you increase the potential for twisting of the frame rail when you load it sideways, such as when turning.

Since these frames are made with the bare minimum required in both materials and engineering, some additional reinforcement might be needed in the form of gussets etc.

Thank you for the response. Interesting enough, the frame has already been reinforced by the manufacturer due to another problem. I have lost some payload capacity because of this but I don't really max that out anyway.