Another question about the TM (not TV) "lift kit"

Slightly off topic...

Be aware that if you convert from 14s to 15s it [the TM] may no longer fit in the garage.

I have the factory lift kit and 14s. I have a quarter inch of vertical clearance before I hit the a/c on the door frame.

What I do not know is thich is better in terms of clearing criveways without scraping:

1. lift kit with 14 inch wheels
2. no lift kit with 15 inch wheels.

I can not have both on my 2720. That would require a taller garage door.

My 2720 came with from the factory with 15" inch wheels and I am able to store it in my garage. I have a low-profile A/C unit. According to the wife who was spotting the first time I pulled it into the garage, we had at least 6 inches of clearance.

I don't know if the newer TMs come with the lift kit standard or not but the trailer does seem to be a bit high off the ground. Is there an easy dimension to check to confirm the presence of a lift kit?

You can see the lift where the axle is attached to the frame.

You probably have an 8 foot tall door, and I only have a 7 foot tall door.

If I stand on my toes, I can see a penny on the roof of my TM.

[Bill]

M&M -

The optional lift kit used to be a square steel tube, somewhere between a foot and two feet long, and about 2.5 inches outside dimension. It was mounted between the axle and the frame just inboard of each tire, thereby "lifting" the frame and body farther above the axle, and of course farther above the ground. It was easy to see this tube if you stuck your head under the TM. Sometimes the tube was bolted in place, sometimes it was welded.

I am under the impression that TM no longer uses that steel tube to lift the trailer body. Instead, they buy a different axle assembly from the supplier (Dexter Axle). The suspension swing arm of the new axle has a higher upward angle than the old axle, and the higher angle lifts the body higher. However, there is no "lift kit" that you can see.

I am also under the impression (but have not confirmed) that all TMs are lifted now. In other words, there is no such thing as a lift kit or a lifted trailer - they all have one standard height now, and it is higher than older trailers. If there is a height option these days, it would probably be called a "lowered option" or "dropped body option". I have not seen any mention of such an option, though.

The best way to determine if your TM is "lifted" compared to older models is to measure the distance from the pavement to the underside of the frame member just inboard of one of the wheels. I have forgotten the measurements for a lifted vs non-lifted trailer, but they were given in a thread a couple or three months back, where this topic was discussed.

Bill

I originally didn't really have much interest/concern in this topic personally. It is funny how this forum makes you interested in things that you wouldn't be otherwise....

I can confirm that there are no riser blocks between the frame and the axle assembly.

The initial angle of the swing arm on the axle is right at 20 degrees

I just took some measurements for what it is worth. My garage opening is 7'. The distance from the TM frame to the ground is only 17.5 inches. The overall height of my TM with the low profile AC unit is approximately 6' 7" so I would estimate about 5 inches of clearance. This clearance is a function of tongue height and would probably vary +/- an inch depending on how level I have the TM. (Right now, I am sloped down towards the tongue a bit.)

In retrospect I guess things aren't that high off of the ground after all. I guess when your tow vehicle is a Sienna, it makes the trailer seem a lot taller.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by PopBeavers

What I do not know is thich is better in terms of clearing criveways without scraping:

1. lift kit with 14 inch wheels
2. no lift kit with 15 inch wheels.

Wayne -

The lift kit will move the frame and body 2.5 inches farther off the ground than a non-lifted trailer.
Fifteen inch tires will lift the frame and body 0.5 inches farther off the ground than a trailer with 14-inch tires.

I conclude that a lift kit with 14's will be 2 inches higher off the ground than a non-lifted trailer on 15's.
Unless I am missing something ...

There appears to be three heights for the air conditioner. The original or standard height, The low profie a slightly lower profile used up to the new 2009 models ( with new artwork not all 2009) and the new low profile AC which is quite a bit lower than the low profile AC. It is also much quieter,

There is actually another AC unit as well. The Duo Therm model that has heating built in is bigger and higher.

Tough to see but here are two 2003 2720's. Mine in front with just AC and the other with the Duo Therm. Mine has 15" wheels and my buddy's 14" BTW.

Don't know if it is true so if interested you might check with the TM factory, but I was told the "lift" became standard in 2006. If this is true and your TM is 2006 or later, the switch from 14" to 15" wheels will raise your trailer only about 1/2". If your clearance is that close, you could probably just let some air out of the tires until you clear the garage door, then pump them back up when inside. Just remember to repeat the process when taking the TM out of the garage! With all of the suspected 14" Marathon problems, I consider the switch to larger wheels with metal stems to be critical, so I would do whatever necessary to get it done.