I have a 5 x 8 utility trailer and the rear bumper on my truck is high enough to cause the trailer to be towed at a pretty sharp angle. Currently, the axle is on top of the springs. I am wanting to put the springs on top of the axle to give the trailer a lift of about 3-4 inches to help level it out. Is this safe to do? Has anybody done anything similar? Any comments are appreciated.

 

Depending on how the springs are attached to the axle, how the caster and camber of the axle is set and other considerations, depending on the trailer, axles can be moved from above the spring to below it. You need to show the trailer to someone knowledgeable in this field to get an answer.

It is usually easier to put a drop hitch on the pickup or add a gooseneck to the tongue of the trailer to level the deck. In most cases a low deck is an advantage when loading quads and such.

 

I agree with TenCubed. Not sure what kinda truck/SUV you use to pull your ATV's, but you can go to much trailer outfitters and get a drop bumper attachment. It will lower the ball about 3-8 inchs depending on the style you buy, and mounts using the current trailer ball setups in your bumper. I wouldnt use this system to tow any weights over 2000 lbs. but if you have a lightweight trailer, and 1 or 2 quads, you will be good.

 

tencubed and LaPurr,

Thanks for your responses. The 5x8 trailer is when I'm just hauling my atv around. I've got a '99 dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 as the pulling vehicle. I have a Ranch Hand 10" drop bumper, but that still doesn't get it low enough for the 8' trailer. I can't really go with the drop setup because I also pull a 16' trailer with a tractor on it. It's a bit heavier than 2000 pounds. The low deck isn't really an issue with the setup. The trailer has a 3' gate on it that my atv could go up at a pretty steep angle. Tencubed, you mentioned about a gooseneck attachment, is there an online supplier for somethign like that or it that a custom mfg item. Thanks again guys.

toe

 

Don't know of anything being generally available and we always built our own trailers at the farm. Any good small fab shop should be able to put a step in the tongue to raise the height of the hitch.

 

You can put the axle under the springs, I am doing it to my 8x12 trailer.

The first thing you have to do is check to see if you have a straight axle or a camber axle(the axle has a slight bend up in the center) with a straight edge. If it is straight you can just change it. If it is a camber axle you need to measure the axle diameter, mines 2 3/8", and go to abctrailerparts.com and order new spring seats.

The new spring seats will need to be welded on the other side of the axle so the camber still goes up and not down. The spring seats are only $4.49 for two and if you cant weld it yourself Im sure a welding shop could do it for a reasonable price.

Hope this helps

 

The swap you describe is very common on 5th wheel RVs, and I have done so on mine. Assuming you have a round, straight axle (as opposed to a drop axle) on leaf springs it should be quick and easy.

In any case, I would weld on new spring seats on top of the axle and keep it right side up. Even though they may appear straight, they are designed to maintain proper camber when loaded, when they are right side up.

The spring seat will have a hole in the middle to align to the bolt through the spring pack. I just squared the new ones up with the old ones with a square and a dial caliper, and clamped them down for the welder...

 

It would be the easiest and not cost way. Just time wise. People do it to their real vehicles all the time to achive an extra 4inches of lift in the rear for no price at all. As long as your not top heavy it isn't going to hurt anything assuming ur not taking sharp corners at 60.

 

Well, I ended up with a much cheaper solution. I found a fairly stout drop step hitch to attach to my bumper. It allows me to have the lower ball hitch for my small utility trailer and tow it level. However, I can still use the higher hitch that is directly attached the bumper. The drop has a 5000 lb capacity, while directly on the bumper has 10,000 lbs. The bad thing was, I had to castrate the bumper before I could set all this stuff up and I don't really like the looks of it, but it's functional....kinda like a girl I used to date.