Flipping a drop axle...

[PierRat]

I found the thread below in another post. Is this okay to do to gain clearance?

"Most trailers have straight axles or drop axles without any camber anyway.
Four wheelers do FLIP drop axles to get more ground clearance with no problems"

 

[PierRat]

Re: Flipping a drop axle...

By flipping i'm reffering to the practice of mounting the axle below the leaf springs as opposed to above them. Flipping may be the wrong term for this.

 

[skyking897]

Re: Flipping a drop axle...

It's a common practice in the RV world. Only drawback I see is having to back further down the ramp for launching and loading your boat because of the raised height of your trailer.

 

[DJ]

Re: Flipping a drop axle...

Are you trying to raise the trailer or lower it?

Lowering it, if you have the clearance, makes it easier to launch. Less towed wind resistance, etc.

Yes, it's ok to move the axle to the top or below the springs.

 

[PierRat]

Re: Flipping a drop axle...

I'm trying to raise it because i had to flip my hitch to raise the tongue of the trailer. Now that the front doesn't scrape the back scrapes under the rear center roler. As far as I can see the only way to gain clearance shy of buying bigger rims is to either roll the drop axle so that the bend is downward istead of upward or to mount the down axle under the leaf springs instead of above them. I just didn't know if either was safe to do.

 

[DJ]

Re: Flipping a drop axle...

OK, got it.

Your only issue may be the alignment pins.

 

[Proselect]

Re: Flipping a drop axle...

I agree with DJ, you can do it but you have to make note of the alignment pins. There probably only holes in one side of the axle.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Flipping a drop axle...

You seem to be contradicting yourself. Earlier you suggest moving the axle from on top of the springs to below the springs. That is not flipping and is acceptable. Then you say to "rotate" the axle so the bend is down. That is flipping the axle and if the axle is cambered you do not want to do that just because of the excessive tire wear issue. You would also need to add new spring perches or cut the old ones off an move them 180 degrees. I must assume you really mean to "flip" the axle so the dropped spindle points downward instead of upward as if you just moved the axle below the spring you would only gain the thickness of the spring pack.