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Old 05-12-2008, 04:01 PM   #1
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Tweety
axle flip decision

We're trying to decide whether to flip the axles. Does anyone know any disadvantages to raising the trailer? What was Sunline's thinking in putting the axle above the springs, thus making it ride so low? Did flipping change your gas mileage? We could sure use 4 more inches of clearance.
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Old 05-12-2008, 04:13 PM   #2
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Quetse:

I could use the extra 4" also, but since this hitch configuration works with two other trailers I had Stoltzfus weld on wheels like Hutch's. For most situations this works fine. However, I cannot back my T-2553 up the barn hill to store it inside because the rear jacks still dig into the ground.
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Old 05-12-2008, 06:14 PM   #3
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I love it- I got 5" of lift from the flip.

I don't drag anywhere (so far) anymore. For you folks with the really L-O-N-G campers, ya might want to think about still putting in the wheels too.

There is also easy access to your undercarriage after the flip. I'm a rather barrel-chested fellow, and I can scoot around underneath with no problems (except the axles- I've gotta go around those )

yes, you will get more drag due to the height of your coach, but I found (seat of the pants only) that an inexpensive (relatively) wind deflector from JC whitney helps a LOT on the drag. I was going to do an actual test of the effect of the deflector, but I now need to order new brackets for the new truck. You've gotta mount the deflector REALLY far back (mine was within 18" of the rear of the cap) for any benefit. Anything farther forward will just allow the vortex effect to hit the front of the coach, negating any benefit (Ghettomedic and I tried it out with water to show the approximate angle of deflection- it shot the water spray right up to the top of the coach....

Luckily, my new ride came with a cap already installed so I just need to order up the $14 brackets and readjust accordingly.

I'm pretty sure I put photos in the mods section....

ah yes, here they are:

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...pic.php?t=1547

As for the disadvantages, you must be more careful on ramps (not too much so though) and during lane changes, and high winds- the center of gravity does move up- BUT not so much that I would consider it dangerous (the SR models mostly ride high like this from what I see

Hope this helps,

Greg
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Old 05-12-2008, 08:35 PM   #4
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I've been observing pros and cons about raising the Sunline.
As far as I have seen, only 2 TC's ride so low and that is Sunline and Airstream. These are also likely the 2 highest quality travel coaches on the road.
Why do they ride so low? Well, I surmise that 95% of the time that they are used, being low is a BIG plus. Easier to tow in every respect except the 5% of the time that they will drag or be too low for a septic hookup. The hookup problem is cured by making wooden ramps to temporarily raise the coach and a few owners have substituted wheels for the drag problem.
Another big plus, to me, is the ease of entry and exit on the lower factory height. It's a personal choice but I'll stick with the factory position. I don't want my Sunline to look like just another travel trailer.
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Old 05-13-2008, 05:34 AM   #5
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We already have the little wheels on the back and they do their job. The problem is that the truck is so high and the trailer so low that the gold thingies on the hitch are dragging going in the driveway. In order to have the trailer riding level the hitch bars and those gold things are only a couple inches off the ground.
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Old 05-13-2008, 08:01 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quetse
We already have the little wheels on the back and they do their job. The problem is that the truck is so high and the trailer so low that the gold thingies on the hitch are dragging going in the driveway. In order to have the trailer riding level the hitch bars and those gold things are only a couple inches off the ground.
That may be an angle adjustment on the hitch head to correct that problem or perhaps you need a bigger drop hitch bar. I think if JohnB and a few others see this post, they will have an answer for you!
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Old 05-13-2008, 12:43 PM   #7
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axle flip

I had to flip my axles for clearance to back up my driveway. I had installed those small wheels on the skid bars but that only lowered the clearance. I have also dragged on some gas stations. Yes I have also dug the rear stabilizers into the ground at some campgrounds. Since the flip I no longer drag the rear of the TT. I haven't noticed much change in my mpg either. There probably is some but not noteworthy. I have a hensley arrow hitch which rides a little lower than most hitches, that no longer drags either. All positive and no negatives so far.

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Old 05-13-2008, 07:26 PM   #8
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Quetse I would either have stoltzfus or Steve recheck the hitch setup,I say this because our friends bought their camper from Stoltzfus and the hitch was not properly setup and his cams hit also,this was due to the hitch head being down one set of holes to far,after resetting everything to how it should be he gained 3 additional inches of clearance for the cams.If you need any help I would gladly help,that goes for setting up the hitch or flipping the axles,I got all the neccessary tools to do either job.
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Old 05-14-2008, 06:48 AM   #9
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Rich, Thanks for the offer. Tweety goes to Stoltzfus next month for the fridge recall, so we'll just have them do the flip if we decide to go that way. Steve is saying he wants to do some tweeking of the hitch to see if he can raise the cams while still maintaining trailer level and enough pressure to give us the sway control. We were thinking to just do the flip, but are waffling now due to higher entry height being an issue for the dog, making roof maintanence more difficult, and possible loss of gas mileage.
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Old 05-15-2008, 09:25 PM   #10
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Pam

See here on my T2499 Reese DC setup. I have never hit the cams. I did drag the V bars twice. Gas station curb, both times. Your camper should have close to the same frame and TT ball height

We can help you with your setup on the hitch to get the TT level or nose down even on your 2500HD. This in itself will help on the rear end drag and give you proper anti sway.

Since you are talking like your have a Reese DC, let me know what you have. I have a few MS word files with pic’s that I’m glad to send. One of these days I will make a post of them but for now I can email to you.

Does yours look like this?





Get me a pic of what you have and we can walk you or Steve thru this. Steve can do this no problem, just need to point him where to go looking.

John
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Old 05-16-2008, 08:11 AM   #11
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I'm glad that you saw this thread John, I knew that you would have the answer! I'm going to pay particular attention to your advice in setting up the hitch head because I want to set mine up better, as well.
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Old 05-16-2008, 08:27 AM   #12
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John B, Yes that's what ours looks like, right down to the hitch head tilt. Steve will fiddle with it some more to see what happens by putting it on a different link. It may just be a factor of the new Sierras being SO high, and the Sunline being SO low, and the driveway/street configuration. If that's the case, we'll just "flip."
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Old 05-29-2008, 07:54 AM   #13
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Tweety was riding on the dolly wheels at least half a dozen times going up to Grayson Highlands State Park this weekend, and again coming down the switchbacks. Thank goodness we had those wheels or we would have had a SERIOUS problem. We love mountains....She's getting the flip.
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Old 05-29-2008, 10:23 AM   #14
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Pam,

If you’re dragging that much, it’s a good decision to do the axle flip.

Those skid wheels will bend if overloaded – a lesson learned from experience.

Hutch
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Old 05-31-2008, 01:08 PM   #15
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Pam, I think if you're that low, then the Flip is almost mandatory!

We rarely drag, and if we do, it's the motorcycle carrier that drags, and NEVER the actual camper.

Once you have the camper lifted, you'll be amazed at the new possibilities you'll be able to bring the camper



Just be careful because once you start going way out, you might not want to come back

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Old 06-13-2008, 06:48 AM   #16
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Tweety has had her axle flip!!! She sailed into the driveway without draggin the dolly wheels. Bring on the switchbacks!

Just need to find a flat spot to adjust the hitch a little.


Steve says this is the picture people will want to see...
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Old 06-13-2008, 10:06 AM   #17
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WOOO HOOOO!! Bring on the offroad driving and the nasty knarly switchbacks!

Doesnt she look so pretty now!
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Old 06-13-2008, 11:55 AM   #18
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I found I like the ride itself better too- I think it tows smoother (vs. a low-slung anchor like ours used to be).

Tweety's looking good & riding high!

I guess I gotta go finish my gutter ends and wash and wax now though....

Congrats on the flippage!
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Old 06-13-2008, 08:55 PM   #19
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Pam

WOW, that side pic of your camper, that is a nice looking camper. And WOW it sure is a lot bigger then your Que. You must be in like room overload....

I also see the hitch. Steve has it looking good. The clearance on the Reese HP DC looks right.

Waiting to see it in person here in about a week.

John
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