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Post by universalexports on Aug 6, 2011 16:12:21 GMT -5
well for those that dont know, the Shasta 19 deluxe and maybe others have a dog legged setup on the axles that allows you to flip them upside down, this raises or lowers the camper by about 8 inches as best I can tell. IF THIS SEEMS TO MUCH of a drop for you, you could easily do it like the old ford truck rear ends, and drop the axle below the springs to raise it 3-4 inches from it's lowest setting (see last pic) I should note that mine has now been set to all three levels DISTANCE TO WHEEL WELL FROM GROUND (where the aluminum is over the tire.) 25 inches --Axle flipped up 20.25 inches axle flipped down and placed under springs 17 inches axle flipped down. REMEMBER SAFETY, Safety glasses, Jackstands common scense think about it first,,, you are raising the whole camper off the ground and it could get tricky. here is a pic showing the "dog leg" the axle makes allowing the camper to be raised or lowered.  mine have been flipped over to make it sit higher off the ground, which would be good for off roading/rough terrain. but I learned last weekend it makes it a PITA to get in and out of for small childeren, (higher step up, and cant reach the door handle) so I am in the process today of flipping mine back to lower it, here is how it sits now. way high.  I started by getting it up on jack stands all the way around the sprayed the U-bolts with WD-40 to help get the nuts off.  half the leaf springs came off once I removed the bolt that goes through the center of the springs and axle. I could not get that bolt out, (below circled in red) even with a 3 lb sledge. so I will just cut it, off when I flip the axle I will put a new bolt in 5/16 by 3.5 inches. and the head of the bolt will sit inside the hole in the axle, just like a car rear end.  here are the bolts and U-bolts you have to remove, just remove them, flip the axle over (it is square) make sure the head of the bolt that goes through the springs is in the hole in the axle to keep everything centered.  this pic shows my new bolt that go through the springs, and the head is a good tight fit in the axle hole to keep everything centered, the bolt is 3.5 inches long by 5/16 inches  and here it is, a LOT lower, now I got to get a lowered receiver hitch or something I guess.  |
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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on Aug 6, 2011 17:55:08 GMT -5
This is interesting! I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the process as I have always wondered what all was involved in flipping it.
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Post by universalexports on Aug 6, 2011 18:13:09 GMT -5
well the short version is,,, get camper on jack stands all the way around take off 8 nuts, from the 2 U-bolts on each side remove the 2 nuts that holds the springs together flip axle, then bolt the 10 bolts back up, the long version is more like,,, strip head off 50 year old nut, find out some one welded U-bolt to axle, spend 30 minutes going to town to get a new cut off wheel for grinder. clean rust/grime off parts, get dirt in eye from hammering on the bottom of the camper while your under it, get mad and throw wrench. then decide to spend 20 minutes looking for your safety glasses. and another 10 looking for wrench, and realize you really need to mow the yard. etc. etc. all kindo fo small issues when working with old parts. here is a comparison, now that I about have it about done.  |
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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on Aug 6, 2011 18:34:23 GMT -5
Good job! I had to giggle at your long version...especially the "realizing the lawn needs mowing". My hubby gets distracted with stuff like that too (:
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Post by universalexports on Aug 6, 2011 19:45:58 GMT -5
well I got her done!!! and updated my 1st post with more pics and details. now I am going to need some kind of dropped hitch. |
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Post by universalexports on Aug 6, 2011 21:41:12 GMT -5
OK, I have decided this thing just sits to darn low
I think tomorrow I will but the axle under the springs, and remove the bottom 2 helper springs, and see what that does. that should raise it 4 inches,
then I may go with a tire with a 1 inch shorter sidewall,
which should get me around 3 inches taller than it is in the pic above, which is where I think I would like it.
(I plan on having a couple of black and grey water tanks that will hang down out of the bottom a couple of inches, so I would like a bit more clearance.)
then a 2.5 or 3 inch lowering of the rear of my truck which I have wanted since I got it, those Colorado's sit way high in the back, and have super solid suspension, Over the winter I put 540 pounds of sandbags in the rear and it only dropped it a couple of inches, so the 300 lb tongue weight shouldnt drop it much.
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vikx
3K Post Member
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Post by vikx on Aug 7, 2011 1:28:59 GMT -5
I really think a class III receiver hitch would be safer than the bumper hitch. You might do some research on that.
My Deluxe is low as well but I love the look.
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vikx
3K Post Member
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Post by vikx on Aug 7, 2011 1:38:06 GMT -5
Here's mine, showing the low ground clearance. Interesting that our Deluxe's are so similar. Your wing area edges are cut out as were mine; the wings need to be flush with the body rather than mounted with spacers. Attachments:
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Post by universalexports on Aug 7, 2011 7:05:24 GMT -5
man thats a nice one, not sure you but you might have a tad more clearance than mine, you tires might be a tad taller maybe,
i'm already outside and back under it, and got it up in the air. its a little after 7:00, trying to get it done before the heat goes crazy, it was 103 yesterday.
interesting enough, the spare tire that came with my camper that the PO had been hauling around for years, does not fit, wrong bolt pattern, (small chevy bolt pattern)
I thought I would check and make sure when I had the wheels off, good thing I checked.
guess he was lucky and never had a flat.
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Post by universalexports on Aug 7, 2011 12:11:51 GMT -5
well I got her done,,, Finally while doing this I measured from the top of the wheel well to the ground with all three configurations. 25 inches --Axle flipped up 20.25 inches axle fliped down and placed under springs 17 inches axle flipped down. I measured here  Here is the pic of the axle under the springs.  well HERE SHE IS NOW!!!! I do plan on going with a 60 series tire to lower it about another inch. it has a 215/75 on it now, which is really tall.  |
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Post by 61shastacompact on Aug 7, 2011 17:07:02 GMT -5
Good job. It looks like a nice final configuration for your trailer. The slide out step height looks to be almost smack dab in the middle of the ground and floor of the trailer.
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Post by littlebears911 on Jan 28, 2012 13:01:22 GMT -5
How did it tow when you flipped the axle to the max dog leg position? I like the added height, but wonder if it affects towing & sway control.
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Post by 65callie on Jan 28, 2012 13:25:28 GMT -5
Now you need a lowered vehicle to tow it with. Maybe a Caddie?
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Post by universalexports on Jan 28, 2012 17:16:42 GMT -5
it was in the highest position when I bought it, it towed just fine behind the owners big diesel truck,
then I hooked it behind my smaller colorado and it done fine below 60 mph, any faster than that and I could feel it start to sway a small bit, so I just ran the interstate home at 59 mph, and it was just fine,
since I had never towed a camper before in my life I error-ed on the side of caution. but I ran as fast 65 just to see, and I didnt like the occasional swaying, it felt really eerie.
keep in mind mine is a Shasta 19 DELUXE, a long camper
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Gone Kayaking
1K Post Member
long live the Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum....we're gone but you are not forgotten!
Posts: 1,600 
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Post by Gone Kayaking on Jan 29, 2012 13:17:14 GMT -5
Your end up position is where I put mine. At the lowest position I scraped going in and out of 50% of the driveways (including 100% of the time on mine). It took my wonderful neighbor about 5 hours to get it done (including going to a friends machine shop to get some new holes machined, and to the auto store for new ubolts etc... Now that 3 or 4 inches is just the right amount of clearance. I can travel a bit off road not jeep roads ( I don't have 4wd anyway and don't even want to think of a long long trailer incident 100 miles from the nearest help). I made a step stool at 7.5 inches height which is halfway to the door sill. Perfect.
Drives and tows beautifully with no sway in 6000 miles behind by 6 cyl nissan frontier.
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Post by hntnhrd on Jan 29, 2012 13:26:41 GMT -5
ours is at the max height and and we were thinking of leaving it there for the summer just to see. rides level with the truck (dodge 3500) but is a little high for the step in. I am wondering about stabilizers though at the high height?
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Gone Kayaking
1K Post Member
long live the Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum....we're gone but you are not forgotten!
Posts: 1,600
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Post by Gone Kayaking on Jan 29, 2012 15:09:36 GMT -5
hntnhrd--I think you'd want to put a sway control on it...cheap peace of mind.
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Matt
New Member
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Post by Matt on Apr 21, 2012 23:35:07 GMT -5
guess if and when i flip my dog leg axle i will need to cut the axle saddle off and re weld it 180deg. from where it is now to get the axle under the leaf spring. if i am wrong please let me know Attachments:
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Matt
New Member
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Post by Matt on Apr 21, 2012 23:36:33 GMT -5
my other side same axle Attachments:
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Post by universalexports on Apr 22, 2012 7:05:42 GMT -5
yeah, you are right, all though you might just want to cut off the pad and weld it back on on top of the axle and put the axle under the leafs, but do not flip (or rotate might be a better word) the axle, this will raise it about 1.5 or 2 inches looks like, then if you want another inch or 2 use lowering blocks (in your case raising blocks) to raise it a bit more, and will require longer U-bolts. the reason I say this is if you put the axle under the leafs, and flip the axle looks like it will give you about 8-10 inches of total lift, not sure if you want that much lift, if you do then you can just take it out flip it, and bolt it under the axle without having to cut off the spring perches. this will give you an idea, these pics are with just flipping the axles, and if you also but the axle under the spring after flipping it it would give you even more lift of 2-3 inches depending how many inches thick you spring pack is. I put the axle under the springs, and removed the bottom 2 helper springs, to lower mine a little but not as much as flipping the axles. to get as much drop. sounds like what you may be trying to do. before and after flipping the axle |
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Post by LongWalker61 on Apr 22, 2012 13:59:56 GMT -5
Thanks for showing us this! I plan to do the same to my Starflyte. Can you provide some pictures of the actual work?
Thanks!!
Andrew
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Post by bobt on Jun 16, 2012 14:21:50 GMT -5
I'm new here and new to Shasta trailers, but - I'm not new to trailer axles and suspensions and I feel obligated to make a few comments.
The original suspension was engineered for the trailer weight and size. Maybe not engineered very well, but it has more or less stood the test of time. Any time you raise it you are raising the center of gravity and also the force of cross winds and affecting the overall stability. Especially if you are raising it and then removing leafs from the springs to compensate for two much height.
If you are not an engineer and have to ask questions here on how to raise your trailer, my recommendation is to to take it to a qualified trailer shop and let them decide if it's safe and if so, let them do the work.
The bottom line is that by messing with your trailer height and leaf springs you may be not only endangering you own and your families safety, but the lives of innocent people who are sharing the highway with you.
Sorry if I've offended anyone.
Bob
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vikx
3K Post Member
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Post by vikx on Jun 17, 2012 1:48:04 GMT -5
Bobt, thank you for posting. We "unflipped" the axle on our 54 Bellwood but at least the springs were untouched.
There are many instances when our vintage trailers are changed for the worse, especially weight distribution and loading. I am guilty of beefing up the wood framing but try to keep everything balanced as originally intended.
It is important for us all to remember that our trailers were designed to tow safely.
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Post by ethellouise on Sept 9, 2012 22:51:52 GMT -5
In your August 7th post you showed the axle beneath the leaf springs with the axle flipped down...it looked perfect...not too low or high. My question is...did your axle have a hole on both sides for the bolt thought the leaf springs to sit in or did you have to create the hole?
Working on a complete rebuild of a 57 Shasta now and just m not sure about that hole in the axle bit.
Thanks:)
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Post by bagpipeswest on Mar 30, 2013 9:44:19 GMT -5
i have a 1955 rainbow 12ft with the same square axle layout as about. I flipped the axle yesterday and got 7inch lift. I walked to the camp site last night and started talking to other campers. they brought up a good point. Did these old trailers have toe in set up on the axle. If I flipped it would it not be toed out? Should I take it off again and swing the axle 180 so the old left hub is now on the right side to regain a toe in?
brent
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Post by universalexports on Mar 30, 2013 10:20:37 GMT -5
seeing how these axles were made to be flipped (why else make a dog legged axle), I doubt they had any toe in.
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Post by schweetcruisers on Mar 30, 2013 10:29:00 GMT -5
I think the only toe in/out on these happen when you bend the axle!
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Post by bagpipeswest on Mar 30, 2013 19:36:01 GMT -5
sounds good to me
thanks
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See my rebuild pics at: 
