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Old 08-10-2013, 01:33 PM   #1
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why ground clearance is important

Took my 145RB down the same forest service road that I've been down a number of times before. There are several large depressions along the way which I can easily navigate. Unfortunately, this time there were filled with rainwater, enough to cover a large rock that bent the step unit.

Looks like a trip to the dealer will be in order once the season is over.

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Old 08-10-2013, 02:55 PM   #2
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I hear ya there....if for nothing else, to make the dumping easier.

On my 184bh, the dump outlet is so low that often there isn't enough slope to let the hose drain properly. I have to manually manipulate the hose to get the "stuff" flowing.
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Old 08-10-2013, 05:02 PM   #3
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did you install the axel flip?....the kit is about $30 and you will gain about 5" clearance....
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Old 08-10-2013, 09:10 PM   #4
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Hook a 4 wheeler winch to those steps and pull them back into place. A 4 wheeler winch moves slow so it is easy to control how far you go.
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Old 08-11-2013, 06:40 AM   #5
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had the same thing happen to me except it was a curb hop. just unscrewed/bolted the two side mounts a bent back into shape on the bench vise.
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Old 08-11-2013, 12:27 PM   #6
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I hear you about the difficulty in dumping. It's always interesting.

I do not have the flip. Is it something I could do or dealer? Pointers/links appreciated.

I don't have access to a winch but thought about a sledgehammer, either on or off the trailer, assuming it will come off. It looks like it should but because it's bent, who knows?

Too bad it's so danged hot here in the summer. Any outside work is miserable.
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Old 08-11-2013, 12:36 PM   #7
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I jack the opposite side by running up on a couple of Lynx level blocks prior to dumping. It works great.

Azjerry, unbolt the step then try to straighten it out.
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Old 08-11-2013, 01:06 PM   #8
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Quote:
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I do not have the flip. Is it something I could do or dealer? Pointers/links appreciated
See the following video....it's not the best instructional video....but you'll get the idea....



The manufacturer makes an axel flip kit (Dexter Axel) as do other aftermarket suspension suppliers... (check e-trailer.com)

Of course...you'll need to re-set your hitch height and there may additional cost there as well...

Good luck!
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Old 08-11-2013, 02:45 PM   #9
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Why would you want to catch 6 more inches of wind while towing?

If you need the clearance for rough roads, you should not be there. Clearance or not, on roads that bad you'll be shaking your rig to pieces.

Just my opinion.
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Old 08-11-2013, 03:57 PM   #10
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Why would you want to catch 6 more inches of wind while towing?

If you need the clearance for rough roads, you should not be there. Clearance or not, on roads that bad you'll be shaking your rig to pieces.

Just my opinion.
The 145 and 154 are engineered to be towed with minivans and they have a 6'-1" interior ceiling height. They drag in the rear or bury the tongue jack pulling out of normal driveways. Even with the axel flip - his 145RB will STILL be 6" shorter than your 17Z.....trust me - the F-150 he's towing it with wont notice it!
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Old 08-11-2013, 10:58 PM   #11
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If you don't have access to a quad with a winch you could hook a tow strap to your truck and pull it tight, then jump on the middle of the strap. You can bend it back into place.
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Old 08-12-2013, 11:14 AM   #12
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remove it then bend back into shape. this way so its not accidently over "formed" back into shape ot ripped out from underneith.
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Old 08-16-2013, 03:09 PM   #13
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We took a small step stool along this week and it serves the purpose until I can get the step fixed.
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Old 08-16-2013, 03:13 PM   #14
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I hear you....when I get too lazy to pull out the step, it feels like I'm going to either rip my pants or groin getting in / out...
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Old 08-18-2013, 07:28 AM   #15
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We have the torsion bar axles so there is no flipping them to raise ground clearance. But I have never had an issue with dragging anything. I like the way the trailer tows, but dumping is often an issue. The connection on the sewer line is level with the trailer bottom and is pointed almost straight down. It almost always dumps a little water when you pull the cap and we have an issue with hose drainage at times.

My solutions were: 1) to get one of the caps with a hose fitting on it. That way I can hold the hose under the small cap, open that to let the water drain and then remove the larger cap. 2) I found a compact clear plastic right angle elbow which I hook to the trailer and then hook the hose to it. I wind up with a height that is fairly close to that of the higher trailers and if I use one of the slinky type hose supports, I'm good 95% of the time. There are a few low lying campgrounds that have high stand pipes on the sewer lines so they don't fill up in flooding conditions. About all one could do there is have a pump.
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