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,

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.

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.

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 wrote:

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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.

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 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

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.