lifting the trailer

[bdobyns]

I was just curious if anyone has ever thought about lifting the trailer a few inches.  I have a 1990 jayco (dual axle) that sits very low to the ground, which tends to cause a problem when connecting it to the good old astro van. We have a weight distrabution hitch and when we lower the ball mount as low as possible to get an even ride, (which we still don't) when attaching the torsion bars I almost always need to jack up the trailer (and van) to move them into place.  I have thought about trying to raise the trailer a bit as well as thought about the newer straight torsion bars from draw-tite.  Your feedback would be appreciated.

[LimeJeeeep]

as sooon as i can i will be installing a kit that allows me to swap the axles from the top to the bottom of the leaf springs ..if it is a dexter axle go to there web site find the kit ,then look for a local dealer.shop the local dealers around ,prices varied from $80 for 1 kit(local camper dealer).to $64 for 2 kits shipped (truck parts supplies).FLEET PRIDE is the place that ended up giving me the best deal...

[fleagalbaum]

I am not sure if your trailer is torsion bar axles or not but here is how I lifted my 1994 jayco 1208 trailer using some 2x3 steel and some plates.
I have had no problem with this system as of yet, I put approx 2000 kms on it .  All I had to do is retorque the bolts a few times to make sure they are set.
http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=62831

[bdobyns]

Thanks guys, I will take a closer look over the next few weeks.

[AustinBoston]

I was just curious if anyone has ever thought about lifting the trailer a few inches.  I have a 1990 jayco (dual axle) that sits very low to the ground, which tends to cause a problem when connecting it to the good old astro van. We have a weight distrabution hitch and when we lower the ball mount as low as possible to get an even ride, (which we still don't)...

What do you mean by "even ride?"  The trailer should be level when towing.

...when attaching the torsion bars I almost always need to jack up the trailer (and van) to move them into place.

Under normal circumstances, if you didn't have to jack, then the WDH would do no good.

If you are using a Mini-350, here are some tips to make the real problem (attaching WDH) easier to deal with:
* If you have an empty parking lot nearby, attach and remove the bars there.  Move the trailer to near-jacknife, and then the inside bar will just lift on.  Then turn the other way to attach the other bar.
* If you don't have a place you can do the jacknife thing, use some boards or Lynx levelers under the tow vehicle rear tires to make jacking easier.  Putting the rear tires on a speed bump can do the same thing.
* Attaching or removing the bars when the rear wheels are in a dip or low spot can be near impossible.

I have thought about trying to raise the trailer a bit as well as thought about the newer straight torsion bars from draw-tite.  Your feedback would be appreciated.

I have the Reese Mini-350 (Reese has been a part of Drw-Tite for many years) and have used it for about 6 years.  If I were buying a WDH today, I would get the single-bar Mini-400 instead.

Austin