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Old 10-13-2014, 12:05 PM   #1
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To flip the axles or not to?

I like flipped axles for all the extra ground clearance on the beach or for off road camping/hunting. I had it on my 1994 Starcraft 20' TT. I never had a issue of dragging or scraping the tongue jack. My new to me 2003 Sunline T-2553 (Dry 4,634#, TW dry 515#, tongue has 2 30# propane tanks and 2 batteries) is really low, my TV is a 2002 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 with a 4" lift and 33" tires. I towed her home with no issues but my set up was all wrong. Had between 3"-4" of rear sag in the truck. The TT was ass heavy but it still towed surprisingly nice on the highway at around 60-65mph. She stayed right behind me with no swaying or jerking I was happily surprised. I need it to be more safe and efficient. I will need a serious drop receiver shank to get it where I need it and they are not cheap. If I leave the TT alone and do not flip the axles the drop receiver will be 5"-6" from the bottom of the drop to the ground. I don't like that at all. If I do the axle flip I might get away with my current drop receiver and be able to use the WD. I could not use the WD for the trip home because the front of the trailer was already a good 3" higher than the rear. I read a bunch of threads on here and looked at the before and after pictures so I think flipping the axles isn't really a big deal. I just don't want to make the wrong decision.

I really want to do the axle flip or should I leave it alone and just buy the correct drop receiver shank? Either way I have to do one or the other or maybe even both if my drop receiver is not low enough after the flip. Local shop will do the flip for $330.00 out the door. I should also mention that I'd like to add shocks in the near future as well. I see JohnB had done this and I really like his detailed write up on it. That will have to wait a while though but it's definitely on the list.











Sorry I do not have a picture of the truck before the squat and after the squat. I only had it connected once and that was the trip home. I didn't think to snap a few pic's, I was to excited about the new camper and just wanted to make the 3 hour trip home.

This is my WD - Reese Weight Distribution System w Shank - Trunnion Bar - 10,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW with Sway Control.
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Old 10-13-2014, 12:12 PM   #2
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Here she is home and sitting level in my driveway which has a slight downhill slope. The front is 2" higher than the rear in this pic. Camper is level.

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Old 10-13-2014, 12:13 PM   #3
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If you plan on doing any towing on mountain roads you'll need the axle flip or it'll drag. We used to drag the 2753 getting in the driveway, into gas stations, and a myriad of other places. It was a relief when we flipped the axles.
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Old 10-13-2014, 12:15 PM   #4
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Thanks Tweety, I am 99% on the flip just wanted to see if there was good reason not to pull the trigger. I like getting all the info I can before making a big decision.
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Old 10-13-2014, 07:13 PM   #5
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Wow, really nice looking 2553, Adam! At some point down the road (no pun intended), we're also going to do the axle flip on our 2363 as we want to take a trip (or two) out West. Ours also scrapes pulling in and out of campsites, driveways, etc.
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Old 10-13-2014, 07:18 PM   #6
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Wish I had a welder. It seems straight forward and something that can be done at home in the driveway. I don't know why they built them so low. My father has a brand new KZ toy hauler 5th wheel. That this is HUGE! It's super high off the ground. It has three steps to get in the thing. I'm not a fan of it being that high but high enough not to scrape.
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Old 10-13-2014, 08:30 PM   #7
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That price is tremendous. My guy wants $900 to do a flip. For your price, I wouldn't hesitate.
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Old 10-13-2014, 08:35 PM   #8
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That price is tremendous. My guy wants $900 to do a flip. For your price, I wouldn't hesitate.
Good to know thanks.
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Old 10-13-2014, 10:35 PM   #9
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Sunline built the camper low to help them tow a little easier (less air drag) and a little easier to get into (1 step and your in). Even the higher slide campers like mine are lower then most other brands. The axle tube is above the spring.

Many have done the over under kit and had a good outcome. Actually I do not recall a member ever reporting back they had an issue afterwords. You will have a little more wind drag as you are catching more air up there, however depending on the truck you may not even notice it. A truck that is more maxed out can feel it.

You will also need to build or buy a small step for the entry way. May not need it all the time but if you get in a camper nose high camp site, the extra 4" of drop on the last step may be an ankle twister. Since our main entry door is at the back of this long camper, every now and then the nose is low at some camp sites and a 12" last step is an accident waiting to happen. My first camper I made a step, this camper I bought one, ran out of time. If you want to see pics of the home made one, let me know I'll round them up.
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Old 10-13-2014, 11:01 PM   #10
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Hello John,

All I gotta say is "you are the man!". I have been busy reading and reading and reading some more of old threads and I've come across a bunch of your inventions. Very inspiring to say the least. As for the step height, all I did on my last camper was carry a walmart special plastic step stool with me. I stored it just inside the main door so it was right there when I needed it. Worked out perfect and was cheap. I have to either buy a much longer drop receiver shank or do the axle flip. Seeing how shanks range from $120-$300 and the axle flip is $330 I think it's a no brainer. I'm getting the height I need to tow properly and the ground clearance too. K, it time to check out some more old threads then go to bed.
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Old 10-14-2014, 06:58 AM   #11
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We flipped the axles a few yrs ago on our T1950 & are very pleased. The increased clearance allows us easy access on the rough back rds we travel.
As I recall I paid approx $90 for a Dexter flip kit & a handy pal installed it in little more than 1 hr. If you travel into the "backcountry" you'll really appreciate the flip
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Old 10-14-2014, 03:09 PM   #12
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I have owned and towed many Sunnies and even as low as they are, I can remember only twice I got hung up in a dippy gas station-just didn't pay close attention I think. Anyway,I never felt the need to flip the axles..to be truthful,it's only been the last couple of years it has been a topic to discuss! When entering or leaving a questionable area,just go in or out at an angle--no problem then. I have been towing Sunnies (and five other brands) since 1985 with little to no problem..Get your hitch adjusted and make your flip decision later--save the $$ towards your next Sunline--and betcha there WILL be another!! Lol! Janalee
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Old 10-14-2014, 03:12 PM   #13
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We flipped the axles a few yrs ago on our T1950 & are very pleased. The increased clearance allows us easy access on the rough back rds we travel.
As I recall I paid approx $90 for a Dexter flip kit & a handy pal installed it in little more than 1 hr. If you travel into the "backcountry" you'll really appreciate the flip
Wow thanks, I just found that kit on etrailer for $43. Guess I'll need two kits so yep $90. I'm ordering tonight, my neighbor has a welder said he would help. I'll take pics and post them.
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Old 10-14-2014, 03:17 PM   #14
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I have owned and towed many Sunnies and even as low as they are, I can remember only twice I got hung up in a dippy gas station-just didn't pay close attention I think. Anyway,I never felt the need to flip the axles..to be truthful,it's only been the last couple of years it has been a topic to discuss! When entering or leaving a questionable area,just go in or out at an angle--no problem then. I have been towing Sunnies (and five other brands) since 1985 with little to no problem..Get your hitch adjusted and make your flip decision later--save the $$ towards your next Sunline--and betcha there WILL be another!! Lol! Janalee
You are right and I usually do enter and exit on angles where possible. It's the off road situations that you can't avoid (e.i. the beach, or mountains). I will definitely get the correct drop receiver just because it's the safe thing to do. $90 for the Dexter Fliip Kit and a case of beer for my neighbor, can't beat that price!
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Old 10-14-2014, 07:16 PM   #15
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Adam, Thanks for the good words. Much appreciated. The camper is the "escape" from work and the "hobby".

BTW, I saw the pic's of your F150... You sure have that truck decked out! Nice work

Have fun with the Sunny. Caution, they can get addictive...

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Old 10-15-2014, 06:58 AM   #16
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Another advantage to axle flip is sewage tank outlet is lower than inlet on a blue boy portable on a T 2553. I lost a skid bar this week exiting gas station to fast.
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Old 10-15-2014, 07:11 AM   #17
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Another advantage to axle flip is sewage tank outlet is lower than inlet on a blue boy portable on a T 2553. I lost a skid bar this week exiting gas station to fast.
I don't remember seeing a portable tank under my camper? Was that something you added?
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Old 10-15-2014, 11:08 AM   #18
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I don't remember seeinbg a portable tank under my camper? Was that something you added?
Its one I purched, Barker 25 gal I keep in bed of truck. I made a transfer pump to pump gray water into it.
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Old 10-15-2014, 01:25 PM   #19
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Its one I purched, Barker 25 gal I keep in bed of truck. I made a transfer pump to pump gray water into it.
Oh i see... Very cool ideal.
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Old 11-05-2014, 10:49 AM   #20
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Ok, so I started my axle flip yesterday. I bought the Dexter over/under conversion but I can see their was no need to buy the kit. For me I could have gotten away with just buying 4 leaf spring seats 2 3/8" and welded them on. My neighbor is helping me (he is a mechanic that works out of his van, very convenient to have him next door, heehee) and it took about an hour and a half to jack up the camper and get the rear axle done. It got dark so we are about to finish today. I forgot to take before picture with measurements. I will snap a few pics when it's all done. Should be done in an hour.

When it's all done I'm taking the rig to a nearby parking lot thats nice and level to adjust my hitch.
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