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Post by summitbeerowl on Dec 27, 2018 15:15:00 GMT -5
Hello again everyone. So, I’m contimplating a suspension upgrade on the little sportsmen. It sits so low that it scrapes every time I pull into the alley to get to my driveway (it’s up hill). Plus in many areas it can scrape just going through uneven terrain. And it would be nice to have the sewer connections a bit higher for better drainage. ![]()  What I’m thinking is the “axle flip”. My KZ dealer has recommended a shop that sounds like they can do it plus align it at a reasonable price. Has anyone done this? Do you have pics? Did you increase the size of your tires? I’d like to go all terrain. I really like the off road look of the new KZs. In addition to the axel drop has anyone added shocks? I see e-trailer has a few kits for all of this. www.etrailer.com/question-324460.htmlI havent contacted the shop yet...just putting all the thoughts together. Again pics would be great in addition to your thoughts. Thanks |
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Post by lynnmor on Dec 27, 2018 16:42:15 GMT -5
Moving the axles below the springs is often done for the reason you stated. It does cause somewhat more stress to the spring mounting points. Since the axles are usually the minimum allowed, don't even think that the trailer is of off-road caliber. I made my own shock mounts and installed Monroe shocks. The yellow parts connect all 3 spring hangers and the red parts connect the spring hangers side to side. These additions were made to stop frame cracking and also improve ride and handling.  |
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Post by laknox on Dec 28, 2018 11:26:18 GMT -5
Hello again everyone. So, I’m contimplating a suspension upgrade on the little sportsmen. It sits so low that it scrapes every time I pull into the alley to get to my driveway (it’s up hill). Plus in many areas it can scrape just going through uneven terrain. And it would be nice to have the sewer connections a bit higher for better drainage. ![]() What I’m thinking is the “axle flip”. My KZ dealer has recommended a shop that sounds like they can do it plus align it at a reasonable price. Has anyone done this? Do you have pics? Did you increase the size of your tires? I’d like to go all terrain. I really like the off road look of the new KZs. In addition to the axel drop has anyone added shocks? I see e-trailer has a few kits for all of this. www.etrailer.com/question-324460.htmlI havent contacted the shop yet...just putting all the thoughts together. Again pics would be great in addition to your thoughts. Thanks There are "flip kits" that are available to do what you want. The new perch can be bolted in place, or welded; most people highly recommend welding. Just goolge "flip kit" for any number of kits and prices. MorRyde makes the X-Factor, which is a cross-bracing system to help stiffen the frame at the spring hangars. ( www.morryde.com/products/108-performance-crossmembers-by-morryde) If you're doing suspension work anyway, I'd recommend a "wet bolt" kit. You replace all the spring bushings, which are likely plastic, with bronze, the spring hangars with heavier hangars and the spring bolts with new bolts that are greasable. Don't know how much clearance you have to add taller tires. Need to watch upward travel in the wheel well, mostly. Also, I don't know how much advantage you'd have with an AT tire vs an all weather tire. It =will= roll harder, so your road towing experience may degrade. If you're worried about durability, then jump up a rating to get an extra ply. If you've rarely, if ever, had an issue while off-road, then why change? I agree with your dealer about finding a good shop to do the work. Most people tend to recommend a heavy truck suspension shop, as they have the tools to work on these straight axles. Also, a truck suspension shop likely could re-arch your springs a bit to give you even =more= clearance. As for shocks, the cream of the crop for kits seems to be the Joyrider kit. Don't know if they make one for your size trailer, but you can check here: www.rvimprovementsystems.com/joy_rider.html. Or, you can do like lynnmor did and DIY the shock mounts. Lyle |
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Post by laknox on Dec 28, 2018 16:42:45 GMT -5
Just an FYI for everyone. I just talked with Sonny at Joy Rider this morning. According to him, Roadmaster, Inc. is now building his Joy Rider and Liberty Rider products, though he is building a new factory to build them himself. Also, Joy Rider shock systems are being marketed as OEM installs and the aftermarket shock system is now called Comfort Ride. In addition, they are marketing the Liberty Rider slipper spring system under the Comfort Ride banner. This system gives you independent suspension by removing the center equalizer. Check out Roadmaster's site for more info. roadmasterinc.com/products/travel_trailers/comfort_ride.htmlNote: I am not affiliated with this company. Lyle |
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Post by rasmousein on Dec 30, 2018 14:20:42 GMT -5
Great idea!!
I'm planning to do something similar, i wanna upgrade to a 4400 or 5000 lbs axle.
Kz use the same frame for the single acle toyhaulers...
I have yet to see info about this type of upgrade...
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Post by summitbeerowl on Dec 31, 2018 10:02:45 GMT -5
Moving the axles below the springs is often done for the reason you stated. It does cause somewhat more stress to the spring mounting points. Since the axles are usually the minimum allowed, don't even think that the trailer is of off-road caliber. I made my own shock mounts and installed Monroe shocks. The yellow parts connect all 3 spring hangers and the red parts connect the spring hangers side to side. These additions were made to stop frame cracking and also improve ride and handling. Looks like some some work went into your setup. Very nice! As far as “off-road” goes...no, I’m not shooting for that. Any constant bumps, dips, and rough terrain would totally destroy these KZ campers. I just need the lift for the approach angle of the incline of my alley to my garage so that it doesn’t scrape. Also the height would make using full hook ups so much easier. You wouldn’t believe how many spots I’ve had to hook up to that there was little to no slope to the sewer. Again because the KZ sits so low. While your our set up is awesome, I think it is overkill for my needs. My KZ is only about 2000 dry. Plus it would over price the worth of the camper,lol. Just hoping for a reasonable lift solution and to get out on the road camping. |
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Post by summitbeerowl on Dec 31, 2018 10:17:20 GMT -5
Just an FYI for everyone. I just talked with Sonny at Joy Rider this morning. According to him, Roadmaster, Inc. is now building his Joy Rider and Liberty Rider products, though he is building a new factory to build them himself. Also, Joy Rider shock systems are being marketed as OEM installs and the aftermarket shock system is now called Comfort Ride. In addition, they are marketing the Liberty Rider slipper spring system under the Comfort Ride banner. This system gives you independent suspension by removing the center equalizer. Check out Roadmaster's site for more info. roadmasterinc.com/products/travel_trailers/comfort_ride.htmlNote: I am not affiliated with this company. Lyle Wow! That really is a nice setup. Looks like the design has been well thought out. It would be nice if it was a little more reasonable for my little camper but I may be dreaming a bit for that. As I personally won’t be flipping the axel, I’ll have to pass this on to the shop and see what they think. I haven’t contacted them yet and only received their recommendation from my KZ dealer. |
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Post by summitbeerowl on Dec 31, 2018 10:20:29 GMT -5
Great idea!! I'm planning to do something similar, i wanna upgrade to a 4400 or 5000 lbs axle. Kz use the same frame for the single acle toyhaulers... I have yet to see info about this type of upgrade... Will be interesting to see your results. For my set up, I think I’m fine with the axel I have. Anything heavy can just go in the back of the truck. Would really be nice to see some pics of those that have done single axel suspension upgrades. |
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Post by summitbeerowl on Dec 31, 2018 10:47:01 GMT -5
Just an FYI for everyone. I just talked with Sonny at Joy Rider this morning. According to him, Roadmaster, Inc. is now building his Joy Rider and Liberty Rider products, though he is building a new factory to build them himself. Also, Joy Rider shock systems are being marketed as OEM installs and the aftermarket shock system is now called Comfort Ride. In addition, they are marketing the Liberty Rider slipper spring system under the Comfort Ride banner. This system gives you independent suspension by removing the center equalizer. Check out Roadmaster's site for more info. roadmasterinc.com/products/travel_trailers/comfort_ride.htmlNote: I am not affiliated with this company. Lyle So, I'm wondering...has anyone tried this? www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension/Lippert-Components/LC281255.htmlIt's half the price of the Roadmaster. It looks no where near the build quality, but again my KZ is only a couple thousand pounds. Little worried about wear and tear where the shocks actually attach to the plates. |
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Post by jetzen on Dec 31, 2018 13:07:36 GMT -5
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Post by summitbeerowl on Dec 31, 2018 17:16:32 GMT -5
Well, if I was going to build an overlanding trailer that would be great. But I sold the Toyota I built this summer and now have a stock f150. It’s far from the overlanding rigs that would be pulling a trailer with the suspension your suggesting. Not saying I couldn’t get into that. Lol Still looking for those that have just done the flip and added shocks (for suspension, not lift) on a single axel. |
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Post by summitbeerowl on Dec 31, 2018 17:21:54 GMT -5
I think the link in my opening post shows all the parts I’m interested in. The over under conversion kit and the bolt on shock kit.
Anyone used these on a single axel? And if so, what are your thoughts and do you have some pics?
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Post by jetzen on Jan 1, 2019 14:49:04 GMT -5
Well, if I was going to build an overlanding trailer that would be great. But I sold the Toyota I built this summer and now have a stock f150. It’s far from the overlanding rigs that would be pulling a trailer with the suspension your suggesting. Not saying I couldn’t get into that. Lol Still looking for those that have just done the flip and added shocks (for suspension, not lift) on a single axel. I was trying to show you a viable option to upgrade your suspension to increase height and not try to put a bandage on and already questionable suspension. You know what your needs are and what is the best fit for your budget. Hope everything works out the way you want. |
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Post by ronc on Jan 16, 2019 16:52:54 GMT -5
Moving the axles below the springs is often done for the reason you stated. It does cause somewhat more stress to the spring mounting points. Since the axles are usually the minimum allowed, don't even think that the trailer is of off-road caliber. I made my own shock mounts and installed Monroe shocks. The yellow parts connect all 3 spring hangers and the red parts connect the spring hangers side to side. These additions were made to stop frame cracking and also improve ride and handling. Very nice work. <style></style> |
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Post by laknox on Jan 17, 2019 10:22:30 GMT -5
Summitbeerowl, another thing you could consider is replacing the spring packs with something that has more arch. Springs tend to be fairly inexpensive. I know a lot of people who have simply re-arched springs that have flattened with use. Add that to a flip kit, and you can raise the trailer probably 6".
Lyle
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