Has anybody raised their ride height on a roller rocker suspention setup?
Im thinking that putting the axle tube under the springs will give me a 2 inch lift.
Im aware of the legalities and its fine.
Just wondering if anybody has done it and how, if at all it effects the handling by way of raising the centre of gravity.
Its a twin axle 2.7 tonn gvm on road van.
TIA.
Kezngaz.
Desert Dweller said
07:14 PM Feb 21, 2017
Underslung axles are fairly common these days. Some caravans & camper trailers built by major manufacturers come out of the factory with the axle under the leaf springs. They then put an ''off road'' or ''outback'' sticker on them.
We've had our caravan almost 5 years, it has an underslung axle. Haven't had any problems in 50,000kms on bitumen & gravel roads. We spend most of our time in the bush & the extra 2'' of clearance comes in very handy at times.
kezngaz said
07:29 PM Feb 21, 2017
Thanks DD.
On a recent trip i had the 'A' frame foul the ground on a couple of occarions and it go me thinking.
We have underslung axles on the road trains at work so why not.
It still wont be nearly as high as some of the dedicated off roaders so cant see it being a problem.
Thanks for your input.
Kezngaz.
TheHeaths said
10:04 PM Feb 21, 2017
Kezngaz,
our last 2 vans had this done ex factory as Outback model Jayco vans.
We have had no issue with either of them when towing. The only thing to note is that the stub axle is welded above the main part of the axle, so the wheels actually sit above the main axle, not below it. This would limit lift to about 2 inches instead of about 4 inches. Just check to see how your stub axle is attached, as that may make a major height difference compared to factory done Jayco.
kezngaz said
11:33 PM Feb 21, 2017
Yea, the stubbs are welded above the axle tube.
Fitting the axles under the springs will lift the van and springs 2 inches off of the floor.
It is illegal to have the stubbs under the axle tube, ive already checked this out as i could have gained the two inch lift by simply turning the axles upside down.
There are brackets available to weld on the axle so as you can still locate the springs centre bolt in the axle without drilling the axle.
Ill also be extending the twin core cable for the electric brakes.
Kezngaz.
macka17 said
03:53 PM Feb 22, 2017
If rotating axles to give lift. Recheck Camber. some axles have built in camber.
and you reversing it.
With independent susp and stub axles. IE Coromal.
A lot just leave old stub shaft on. Just grind off taper end.
Then weld new, Square, stub axles below that to raise them dia of shaft..
It works, but to do properly you really need to raise inboard end of that suspension too
with some tubing or angle.
I thought about doing mine. But being semi offroad vers. fits over my steep drive entry angle.
I just fitted taller tyres and new springs to lift near 3 inches with that.
EFS Shockers next.
kezngaz said
08:31 PM Feb 22, 2017
Yea im not rotating axles. Just gonna put them under springs and weld in plate for centre bolt location.
Dont need to worry about camber then.
.thanks for the heads up though.
What is the inboard end of the suspention you refer to macka17?
macka17 said
03:25 PM Feb 23, 2017
Hey.
Coromal have their own design of independent Weird but travels smooth and works.
Lightweight like rest of van too. (Anderson??? or something)
It's a system that mounts on actual van chassis right across it.
swinging from mounting points near centre of van to springs and hubs hanging off centre's of them.
VERY smooth to tow. and long lasting.
You really need to raise centre point of mounting to keep camber correct on that.? I reckon.
Look on Coromal pages and peruse.
They built really lightweight. but good to tow. and seem to last.
This one a '98\99 model. 535 CAPRI Mirage (semi offroad)
Tandem. singles and weight. with 2 gas bottles around 1.43 ton empty.
UNDER 2 ton loaded.
PERFECT for my fishing dams and leaving at different places so I can take boats there too.
It has LOTS of red dust inside and under. so it knows corrugations
I actually pressure hosed it inside b4 laying new cork floor tiles.
Just to get rid of some of the red.
I resealed all seams on roof and all walls\windows.
Heatproofed 3 coats on roof.
That Cyclone and all the rains we've had here since. . dry as a bone now.
Best $12k cost.
Ins, valued at $19.800 van I've had for a while.
Another way. if you reasonably inside max weights.
which also strengthens van chassis.
Is to buy 2 length of 2\3\4in x 2in. galv 3 or 4mm tubing
Grind existing suspension completely off chassis rails.
weld new rails along chassis. preferably from jack point to jack point in length.
Then reweld original susp unit back on UNDER again.
Raises whole van that thickness of rail you used, while adding all that extra strength.
Some just add 6in to a foot longer than existing susp plate.
My last one I did, I took from rear of drawbar tubing at front to jack point at rear.
4 in tube. Van looked great.
and needed a ladder to get missus into it (chuckle)
That's the proper way if you a competent welder with a coupla sets of axle stands, trolley jacks,
and some serious clamps. (OR good at tacks)
I've raised around a doz assorted Mates and mine vans, over the yrs
Much prefer the chassis rail version.
Simple easy.
As long as you double measure the axle centres twice b4 you start.
kezngaz said
04:35 PM Feb 24, 2017
Thanks for all that.
Good to see people are altering their vans to suit their needs.
Kezngaz.
PeterD said
08:16 PM Feb 24, 2017
kezngaz wrote:
1.. Yea, the stubbs are welded above the axle tube. 2.. Fitting the axles under the springs will lift the van and springs 2 inches off of the floor. 3.. It is illegal to have the stubbs under the axle tube, ive already checked this out as i could have gained the two inch lift by simply turning the axles upside down.
1.. A little theory for you. Some people call these drop axles, they are not drop axles, they correct name is overlay axles. Drop axles have more offset between the axle centre and the stub centre, they also have lower weight capacities than offset axles.
2.. Under slinging the axle will give far more than 50 mm (2") lift. The lift will be the axle thickness plus the spring thickness plus twice the thickness of the pad between the axle and the spring. This will be closer to 75 mm than 50 mm (on single axle vans with thicker spring packs it will be more than 75 mm.)
3.. Please give references to the legislation. I don't believe there any illegality to doing that. I had this done on my previous van without problems. The only thing you have to watch is some axles have a little camber in them. If the axle has any camber you need to get a truck aligner to bend the axle to restore the same camber you had before you inverted the axle. In my case the axles on the van did not have any camber, inverting the axle did not affect tire ware.
Kezngaz, I suggest you read an article on the subject by Swift Caravan Services (previously Hardings of Adelaide) who have been raising caravans for many years. Raise Your Caravan
-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 24th of February 2017 08:18:33 PM
macka17 said
12:05 AM Feb 28, 2017
Yes Pete.
Hardings were one of the better ones at it yrs ago.
Probably still are.
kezngaz said
06:08 PM Mar 8, 2017
Hi peterd.
Sorry for delayed reply.
Ive been back to the trailer parts supplier who gave me the info regarding the legislation and they appear to think its now legal and was never illegal.
Hope this good for you as it is for me!!!
Like i said sorry for delay.
Kezngaz.
grahos said
07:44 PM Aug 14, 2018
You need to check that the camber setting is still correct.
I am just welding 75x50 RHS on to the chassis of the van and rewelding the spring hangers back on,you can do 50x50 or 75x50 or 100x50 with heavy RHS.I am also putting in greasable wheel bearings,if I go thru water just grab the grease gun.
Has anybody raised their ride height on a roller rocker suspention setup?
Im thinking that putting the axle tube under the springs will give me a 2 inch lift.
Im aware of the legalities and its fine.
Just wondering if anybody has done it and how, if at all it effects the handling by way of raising the centre of gravity.
Its a twin axle 2.7 tonn gvm on road van.
TIA.
Kezngaz.
We've had our caravan almost 5 years, it has an underslung axle. Haven't had any problems in 50,000kms on bitumen & gravel roads. We spend most of our time in the bush & the extra 2'' of clearance comes in very handy at times.
Thanks DD.
On a recent trip i had the 'A' frame foul the ground on a couple of occarions and it go me thinking.
We have underslung axles on the road trains at work so why not.
It still wont be nearly as high as some of the dedicated off roaders so cant see it being a problem.
Thanks for your input.
Kezngaz.
our last 2 vans had this done ex factory as Outback model Jayco vans.
We have had no issue with either of them when towing. The only thing to note is that the stub axle is welded above the main part of the axle, so the wheels actually sit above the main axle, not below it. This would limit lift to about 2 inches instead of about 4 inches. Just check to see how your stub axle is attached, as that may make a major height difference compared to factory done Jayco.
Fitting the axles under the springs will lift the van and springs 2 inches off of the floor.
It is illegal to have the stubbs under the axle tube, ive already checked this out as i could have gained the two inch lift by simply turning the axles upside down.
There are brackets available to weld on the axle so as you can still locate the springs centre bolt in the axle without drilling the axle.
Ill also be extending the twin core cable for the electric brakes.
Kezngaz.
and you reversing it.
With independent susp and stub axles. IE Coromal.
A lot just leave old stub shaft on. Just grind off taper end.
Then weld new, Square, stub axles below that to raise them dia of shaft..
It works, but to do properly you really need to raise inboard end of that suspension too
with some tubing or angle.
I thought about doing mine. But being semi offroad vers. fits over my steep drive entry angle.
I just fitted taller tyres and new springs to lift near 3 inches with that.
EFS Shockers next.
Dont need to worry about camber then.
.thanks for the heads up though.
What is the inboard end of the suspention you refer to macka17?
Coromal have their own design of independent Weird but travels smooth and works.
Lightweight like rest of van too. (Anderson??? or something)
It's a system that mounts on actual van chassis right across it.
swinging from mounting points near centre of van to springs and hubs hanging off centre's of them.
VERY smooth to tow. and long lasting.
You really need to raise centre point of mounting to keep camber correct on that.? I reckon.
Look on Coromal pages and peruse.
They built really lightweight. but good to tow. and seem to last.
This one a '98\99 model. 535 CAPRI Mirage (semi offroad)
Tandem. singles and weight. with 2 gas bottles around 1.43 ton empty.
UNDER 2 ton loaded.
PERFECT for my fishing dams and leaving at different places so I can take boats there too.
It has LOTS of red dust inside and under. so it knows corrugations
I actually pressure hosed it inside b4 laying new cork floor tiles.
Just to get rid of some of the red.
I resealed all seams on roof and all walls\windows.
Heatproofed 3 coats on roof.
That Cyclone and all the rains we've had here since. . dry as a bone now.
Best $12k cost.
Ins, valued at $19.800 van I've had for a while.
Another way. if you reasonably inside max weights.
which also strengthens van chassis.
Is to buy 2 length of 2\3\4in x 2in. galv 3 or 4mm tubing
Grind existing suspension completely off chassis rails.
weld new rails along chassis. preferably from jack point to jack point in length.
Then reweld original susp unit back on UNDER again.
Raises whole van that thickness of rail you used, while adding all that extra strength.
Some just add 6in to a foot longer than existing susp plate.
My last one I did, I took from rear of drawbar tubing at front to jack point at rear.
4 in tube. Van looked great.
and needed a ladder to get missus into it (chuckle)
That's the proper way if you a competent welder with a coupla sets of axle stands, trolley jacks,
and some serious clamps. (OR good at tacks)
I've raised around a doz assorted Mates and mine vans, over the yrs
Much prefer the chassis rail version.
Simple easy.
As long as you double measure the axle centres twice b4 you start.
Good to see people are altering their vans to suit their needs.
Kezngaz.
1.. A little theory for you. Some people call these drop axles, they are not drop axles, they correct name is overlay axles. Drop axles have more offset between the axle centre and the stub centre, they also have lower weight capacities than offset axles.
2.. Under slinging the axle will give far more than 50 mm (2") lift. The lift will be the axle thickness plus the spring thickness plus twice the thickness of the pad between the axle and the spring. This will be closer to 75 mm than 50 mm (on single axle vans with thicker spring packs it will be more than 75 mm.)
3.. Please give references to the legislation. I don't believe there any illegality to doing that. I had this done on my previous van without problems. The only thing you have to watch is some axles have a little camber in them. If the axle has any camber you need to get a truck aligner to bend the axle to restore the same camber you had before you inverted the axle. In my case the axles on the van did not have any camber, inverting the axle did not affect tire ware.
Kezngaz, I suggest you read an article on the subject by Swift Caravan Services (previously Hardings of Adelaide) who have been raising caravans for many years. Raise Your Caravan
-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 24th of February 2017 08:18:33 PM
Hardings were one of the better ones at it yrs ago.
Probably still are.
Sorry for delayed reply.
Ive been back to the trailer parts supplier who gave me the info regarding the legislation and they appear to think its now legal and was never illegal.
Hope this good for you as it is for me!!!
Like i said sorry for delay.
Kezngaz.
I am just welding 75x50 RHS on to the chassis of the van and rewelding the spring hangers back on,you can do 50x50 or 75x50 or 100x50 with heavy RHS.I am also putting in greasable wheel bearings,if I go thru water just grab the grease gun.