Lifting Camper
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- RV Lift Kit - How to raise your RV to get more ground clearance.
00:00 Intro
00:53 Problem
03:12 Solutions
07:10 Benefits
08:50 Potential Problems
12:13 Intro with Steve
18:00 Parts
19:23 Install
22:15 Recap
25:17 Problems and Successes with Install
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Be sure to check out the Shelburne RV CZcams Channel- / @shelburnerv
Today our project is here at Shelburne RV where we plan on putting a Lift Kit on the camper. Yes, you heard me correctly a lift kit. Now, don't get me wrong... we aren't going to have to get a can of baccer and get a step ladder to get in the door. But I know that deep down you were secretly wishing that was the case.
Problem:
Why are we going to do this? We are planning on doing this for one main reason. That reason is that the suspension has failed again. If you've been following me for a while you may remember that I had a suspension failure in the past. This also tore up the wiring harness that the factory put directly over the tires with a whole 1.5" of clearance to start with. It was covered under warranty. Camping World replaced an axle and changed out the shackles which were the only fixes that Keystone would approve under warranty. When I got it hooked up and realized that the brakes weren't working right they educated me about how you had to brandish the new brakes, the tech also stated that he felt like more should be done to prevent further issues but that Keystone wouldn't approve it. For all you guys that say "it's just overweight. I did weigh the camper and it was overweight but only by 160 lbs. Granted, this was with empty tanks. I have since gone through and taken some stuff out of the camper to try to decrease the weight. Also, remember that we upgraded the tires to the Goodyear endurance tires. These were quite a bit heavier than the trailer king tires which makes up for some of this difference. I realize that about 20% of the weight of the trailer is expected to be transferred to the truck, but it's just weird that these trailers only have 4400 lb axles on them.
Solution
The solution that I have come up with for this problem is fairly complex. I'll start with the best solution options first, but the best solution options are also the priciest. If money was no object, I would opt for the MORrhyde independent suspension with disc brakes. I decided to attack this problem in two different ways. The first way is to add sumo springs to the leaf springs. He said, they do 2" lifts all the time with no issues but have seen issues from higher lifts. I talked to Steve and he said that he thought this sounded like a great plan of action. He apparently didn't realize that I was crazy enough to combine both solutions though.
Prospected benefits of my solution combination: There will be a minimum of an extra 2" of extra space between the tire and the camper with decreased spring movement at the same time. I feel that this will make it virtually impossible for the tires to rub. This will also cause the camper to ride more level when in transport as my truck is pretty tall and it has always been slightly nose high.
Possible negative outcomes-
I'm not a suspension expert, I'm a regular everyday guy. This is just what I did, obviously do at your own risk.
When thinking about the negative outcomes of what could happen I think the most obvious thing would be that the trailer will sit higher, thus you have to worry a tad more about clearance and could theoretically make the trailer more top heavy. I feel that since #1 it's only 12 ft high instead of 13 ft high to start with like a lot of campers this risk is mitigated. Also the suspension will be more stiff, this stiffness could relay through to the appliances, frame, and rest of the camper, but I feel that this spring being a rubber polymer will still soften it somewhat and I don't expect any issues.
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Very interesting video 🙂 great to hear about your experience too. It looks like it was a beautiful location there at the campground
I have a Utility trailer with ( 2 ) Dexter 3500 pound axles. The Axles DID sit above the Leaf Springs. I picked up 2 - Dexter Axle flip kits to raise my Trailer. It took about 3 1/2 hours to drop the Axles, Weld on 2 New Leaf Spring Saddles on the Axles, and then re-install everything. I picked up 5 1/2" of lift with this kit!!. I noticed your Axles were already sitting below the Leaf Springs.
Good to see Shelburne doing your work. I live in Cleveland and they are always very helpful. Good Luck.
I refer everyone there… it’s not cheap work… but it’s done right. Everyone I have sent there has been more than happy with their work
@@GimpyCamper Safe travels
The torque concerns with lift blocks is axle wrap on a hard stop, and more importantly the additional side load in sharp turn when maneuvering/twisting
We had this problem when our TT was 3 yrs old and after 2 trips out west from Alabama. I found a shop near me that has a side business of upgrading RV suspension systems since they are all undersized. He will even take your old components on trade.
I swapped two 3500 axles for 5200. Changed axles, springs, brakes (from 1.5x10 to 2x12, wheels 14x5 to 15x6, and tires. $2700 plus tires (I didn't want the brand he was going to supply).
Picked up 2" of height and now have more brake capacity on the trailer than the truck. Wish I had done it sooner.
Hope this works out for you.
@jimcollins8097 I'm getting ready to install 2" lift blocks on my 5th wheel and I'm pretty sure that 2" will have minimal affect on braking and sway. I've done those kind of lifts on pickup trucks and never noticed any ill effects. After installation I will re-torque the u-bolts after 100 miles. The issue is the adjustment on the pin box. Right now the overhang is 7" from the bed rails but the pinbox adjustments are 2" either up or down. So if I raise the pinbox to the next setting, then the clearance is only 5" which is less than the recommended 6" minimum.
Looking forward to part 2.
Unfortunately, we changed our plan and we recently upgraded the entire suspension.
RV Suspension Upgrades
czcams.com/video/7QOUMSie9rw/video.html
Very nice 👍🏽
This has been working great so far
Funny, I've been looking to do something similar to level my trailer out that last little bit. My '18 Ram 3500 SRW bone stock sits too high and I've adjusted pin box and hitch head all I can and I'm still not 100% happy with the level.
There are places that will rebuild your leaf springs . They will upgrade your spring capacity plus make them thicker to give more height . I had to do this on a large truck .
Hey Gimpy!! :) Very instructive video, I got the lippert center point suspension, they work great have you seem that suspension ? My RV is very big 42.5' long and dry weight 14 000 pounds. Sandpiper model.
I have seen it but I never looked into them that much
How do you like these blocks. I just ordered a pair. Any negative effects going down the road. Have you had any problems. Thoughts after a year of use. And do you do alot of traveling with your rig.
We love these, but we have revamped our whole suspension system since this… but the blocks are still there… RV Suspension Upgrades
czcams.com/video/7QOUMSie9rw/video.html…. We have put over 15k miles with the blocks and no issues. I get a little wiggle sometimes if I go a little faster than I should as I think the wind is slightly more of an issue. No problem at all at 65 mph
Any problems with the blocks since install? And how do you like the timbrens?
I have had no problems, instead of doing the sumo springs I ended up putting larger axles and 16” tires on but I ended up having to go up a spring size for clearance too, but we still use these blocks
How are the colby values doing. Are they good for all around use
The Colby valves are awesome and I’ll never go without them on a trailer tire again. I overnighted them a bit but no leaks in 1 year and 12k + miles
This turned out great and really was not that big of a deal to accomplish
What is holding the block in place?
The tension of the u bolts and. The nut from the spring sitting in the hole on the block
wheres part 2??
I actually changed plans on an upcoming video (tomorrow’s actually). We just upgraded our whole suspension with stronger axles, springs and tires
Whatttt!!!? You don't make much money on YT?🤪 Sensible solutions to lift the RV to fix a pain in the .... problem that you are having!💯👍 Wouldn't doing this void the warranty from the factory???🤔
Yes but warranties on RV’s don’t last that long and mine is already expired
is there some nefarious meaning to your black and white american flag tshirt?
Not that I’m aware of 😂
@@GimpyCamper lol. Good! I have a nutjob living across the street flying a solid black one...he's a Jan 6 type guy.