Reason For Lift Kit

[Beach Boy]

I see where a lot of regulars have lifted their TMs. I researched the subject. I see a lot of threads involving changing tire sizes and using lift kits. What is the reason for lift kits? Just curious.

 

[rumbleweed]

The primary reason is to allow additional clearance in the wheel wells to enable the installation of 15" tires as it generally provides a higher load range. A few owners also do it to allow for additional clearance allowing them to navigate steeper grades. New TMs are essentially already lifted via a larger angle on the axle torsion arm.

 

[Wavery]

It also makes dumping your holding tank easier. The outlet on mine was so close to the ground that I could barely get my Waste King flush valve on. On a few occasions, I had to pull up on my Lynx levelers (on both sides) to dump. Now I have no problem.

 

[Beach Boy]

How do lift kits affect the center of gravity?

 

[Wavery]

How do lift kits affect the center of gravity?

It raises the center of gravity slightly but that's really not an issue with folding trailers (unless you go 6+" or something).

It also may increase windage a little with some smaller tow vehicles but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

It raises the center of gravity slightly but that's really not an issue with folding trailers (unless you go 6+" or something).

It also may increase windage a little with some smaller tow vehicles but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

There have been a lot of 14" tire failures reported here (used in past model years on the TMs with 3500# axles), but it's hard to tell exactly how disproportionate these are, considering how many TM's with 14" tires are out there. We know that some of our members have had trouble keeping inside the weight limits for these trailers. So many have added lift kits to allow them to use 15" tires which have a higher load rating and hopefully a lower failure rate. It's very easy to forget to check tire pressures on trailers, and this has always been a major factor in RV tire failures.

Without knowing where the center of gravity is, it's hard to estimate the exact effect, isn't it? A couple inches probably isn't a big deal for most people, but I would expect noticeable changes to be associated with noticeable effects. A 2" lift kit is a little and the new rim size and an increase in the tire profile are a little more. The side area exposed to crosswinds doesn't change with a lift kit, but the leverage does. And, of course, the taller you go, the harder it gets to fit through the garage door.

We bought the 3023 because it weighs less than 100# more than the 2720SL, has a great floorplan without needing a front slide, and has always been made with 15" tires and a 5000# axle. I never figured the garage idea would work for me with a 3500# trailer (too much power pushing too much weight around in too confined a space makes for a long, slow, careful process that probably would take longer than the covering effort outdoors, and it's more important to have the tow vehicle inside every day than the trailer anyhow).

 

[PopBeavers]

The lift kit allows me to go through more driveways without scraping the ground.

It also reduces the number of rocks that the battery tray digs up out of the ground when off roading with the TM.

 

[Scott O]

Beach Boy, considering listing your equipment in a signature. That way we are better able to address your concerns. TMs after about '06 came with a lift kit. When we changed from 14" to 15" clearance was no issue.

 

[Beach Boy]

Scott,

I am a prospective owner. I previously owned a 37' motorhome for five years. Participating on this forum is 3/4 of the fun of searching for a TM.

Bill "Beach Boy" Blanton

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Scott,

I am a prospective owner. I previously owned a 37' motorhome for five years. Participating on this forum is 3/4 of the fun of searching for a TM.

Bill "Beach Boy" Blanton

You're right, we're great entertainers.

 

[FishGal]

Took me almost two years to find the perfect TM for us! Also took that much time to convince dh. After finally going all the way to PA (no RV dealers here in D.C.) to an RV show, I think that was finally the tipping point. Then the perfect one for us fell into our laps while I was working on Scouting stuff (I'm a Camp Director for a Cub Scout Day Camp).

Also, love your quote Mr. Adventure!

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Took me almost two years to find the perfect TM for us! Also took that much time to convince dh. After finally going all the way to PA (no RV dealers here in D.C.) to an RV show, I think that was finally the tipping point. Then the perfect one for us fell into our laps while I was working on Scouting stuff (I'm a Camp Director for a Cub Scout Day Camp).

Also, love your quote Mr. Adventure!

There's a place in heaven for the person who runs the Cub Scout day camp.

 

[FishGal]

There's a place in heaven for the person who runs the Cub Scout day camp.

Thanks, this is my third year of a couple of hundred Cubs at a time. Not to mention a staff of 50+. I quit after the first year. They convinced me that everyone has a tough first year. Not so bad the second year. But my National Camping School Certification is only 5 years, so there is an end in sight. I was the fishing and nature person before camp director, so I miss the one-on-one with the kids. Don't get to do so much of that now except when I volunteer at my son's school. I also am the Committee Chair of a Cub Scout Pack with about 43 boys. Keeps me on my toes.