Axle Spacers

[garyk52]

Just finished repacking the bearings on our Hi-Lo. What a bear to get the tires out from between the drum and the fender lip. The tire is 8 inches wide at the widest part and the space between the drum and the fender lip is 7 1/2 inches. Good thing the lip bends without breaking. I took some measurements while I had the tire off and it looks like if I add a 1x2x3/16 spacer between the axle mount and the frame, I can get 8 1/8 inches and should be able to remove the tires easier especially if I would have a flat on the highway. I really would like to add a 2x3x3/16 spacer, but don't know how my wife would like the first step getting into the camper 3" higher. Adding a 1" spacer I would have to drill all new holes in the frame mount. Adding a 3" spacer I would only need to drill the spacer itself. Decisions Decisions and I don't want to make the wrong one.

 

[hilltool]

I had spacers put in mine and, yes, it certainly changes the first step as well as how far you need to crank down the leveler jacks. On the other hand- I'm glad I did it from a clearance stand point if nothing else. I just got one of those little folding stools for the first step that I keep just inside the door. That works fine.

Rick

 

[JackandJanet]

Gary, on my trailer the "fender" is just thin sheet metal. It is easily trimmed to make the opening wider and higher. Could you do that with yours?

- Jack

 

[garyk52]

Wish it was, but mine is made out of some sort of plastic, ABS? and has a 1 inch lip. I could cut it back but I'm afraid I'll end up with cracks. I have about 3/4 inch between the tire and the fender at the top. Bought the 1x2x1/8 rectangular tube yesterday (4' less than 13 dollars) and ordered a 5/8 drill bit. Have everything measured out, hope it does what I need. I'll let the group know how it works out when I'm done.

 

[RichR]

This is a copy of a post by DaveL, my wife's cousin, who did a 3" lift on his Hi-Lo:
I had a 1999 24T that set very low. After hitting and breaking the awing support and the sewer connection, I raised the camper 3" using 2X3 tubing between the frame and the torsion axles. This is the same size tubing the 2499T has as a frame. I welded a flat plate to the 2X3s, I purchased for the lift and drilled holes matching the holes for the axles, 2 in the plate and two in the tubing. I unbolted one side of one axle at a time, bolted in the tubing and then bolted on the axle. Was able to have the parts welded in a shop and painted before installing. Completed the work in my yard in one afternoon.
The camper towed better and extra 3" gave me lots of clearance and gave me more height for sewer drainage.

This may be of some help.

 

[hilltool]

Gary-

This is the link to my posts from a few years ago on adding the spacers. For what it is worth....if anything. Its funny how I dont remember what all went into getting something done until I revisit the posts. Anyway---alls well that ends well.

Rick
http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f24/bent-axle-raising-trailer-redux-3116/

 

[garyk52]

Worked on the Hi-Lo today and put the first 1" spacer in. The tire now comes off and goes on easily. It will be well worth it when I get the rest of the spacers in. A couple of things I would like to mention thou. When I took apart the wire nuts for the brake wires they were all corroded. Put then back together with butt connectors and heat shrink tubing. Another thing was the bolts that hold the axle to the frame mounts, mine are 5/8" and no way were they torqued to 150 foot pounds when I took it apart. I would say less than 100 lb. If your camper is as old as mine it probably wouldn't hurt to check brake wiring connectors and torque the axle mounting bolts.