Lift kit questions

TheNewGuy · 02-06-2019, 02:03 PM

My first jump into the TT world was a couple years ago with a “project”. 37ft beast of a trailer!

Last year I sold that off and grabbed a 2005 29N Jayfeather that’s in great condition. We decided it was time to enjoy the trailer instead of just constantly working on it.

Anyways, long story short, this thing is sooo low to the ground! We lost 2 sewer caps within a week and emptying the thing is just annoying. I’m wanting to get the lift kit put on (I’m not going to be doing the work myself), anyone have any insights? How much should I be planning to spend... is it going to be worth it?

Tiguan Tow r · 02-07-2019, 07:53 PM

Not a good comparison but we had a lift kit put on our 145RD last year. Dealer did the work and the single axle lift kit from the dealer and installed by them was $210 CDN. It raised the trailer 4". It was the best money we ever spent on the trailer. No longer worries about losing a drain pipe. It really hasn't hurt stability towing or gas mileage.

TheNewGuy · 02-07-2019, 08:05 PM

If it only costs us that much or anything close to it, it would be great. Glad to hear it was such a worthwhile spend for you guys!

Parcany · 02-07-2019, 08:34 PM

We looked at the same trailer long time ago and yews it is low. I hope that you can get it raised up.

Dave.H · 02-08-2019, 09:50 AM

It's likely just a spring over conversion. Shouldn't take much more than some new spring pads.

What that means is, I'm guessing your axle sits on top of the leaf springs today. All that needs to be done is to move the axle below the springs. This will result in 4.5" or so of lift.
Photo from etrailer:

ALJO · 02-08-2019, 11:26 AM

If you want todo a real good long lasting job, built a subframe which keeps the integrity from the original frame. In the Ultra-Light frame they incorporated the axles as cross-members which degraded the axles by 500 lbs. With a 2" tubular subframe this frame makes up for crossmembers. The Dexter or Al-KO axles they install bring the norm back to 3500 lbs. per axle. Here you can find upgrade details. I raised the TT 4 9/16" which gives adequate clearance for normal off-road travel. Instead of the skids on the back I installed casters. Haven't had hang-ups on the back anymore since the change over.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ift-35857.html

Good luck with your lift.

bankr63 · 02-08-2019, 12:07 PM

I am curious if anyone has tried just removing the spindles and mounting them in the next rotated position. According to the Dexter axle manual, their Torflex axle spindles have several mounting position options relative to the torsion tube. Since they always seem to be mounted flat, wouldn't rotating maybe 30 degrees down (might have been 45, but I think there were two positions between horizontal and vertical). I assume this might stiffen the spring rate, but should provide an inch or so of lift for (hopefully) little effort and cost.

ALJO · 02-08-2019, 12:15 PM

Axles are always ordered with set specifications, you cannot change the angles. Nor can you weld on the tubing as this will burn the rubber cords. It will say on the label of the tubing the degrees down or up. For example 2005 - 29N or 29Y is 22.5 degrees down in unloaded position. Torflex axles ride smoother and have less wear.

bankr63 · 02-08-2019, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALJO

Axles are always ordered with set specifications, you cannot change the angles. Nor can you weld on the tubing as this will burn the rubber cords. It will say on the label of the tubing the degrees down or up. For example 2005 - 29N or 29Y is 22.5 degrees down in unloaded position. Torflex axles ride smoother and have less wear.

Ah, okay. So factory set. I found the page with the various angles listed.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/m...cture10386.png

While poking around on the Dexter site, I do see that they have several lift kit options for their various axles.

ALJO · 02-08-2019, 02:05 PM

Dexter supplied for their standard Torflex Axles lift kits. But for the Norco-Ball Ultra Frame and NextGen frame Axles they had a special designed brackets as the axle tubing also was part of the frame crossmember. Also the AL-KO Torflex axles had the same design.
The Norco/Ball Ultra Frame had a very weak front design and many A-Frames buckled at the first frame crossmember. I fixed quite the few of them by installing a L-frame crossmember inside the front storage compartment. The longest Jay-Feather they made was almost 34 feet around 2008.

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