I'd like to upgrade my fiver to 16" wheels/tires. Axle flip is not an option sicne the axle is already on the bottom side of the leaf springs. The spring hangers do not have adjustment holes like Jayco and a few other brands. Any suggestions on how gain about 2 inches in the wheel wells to accomadate the taller tires? Thanks. PCM

 

Go to a spring shop and get some springs with more arch made up.

 

Get a trailer shop to remove the axles and mount them onto a sub frame then remount to the trailer. Should be quite cheap.

 

Since the axle is on the bottom of the spring, you can put in spacers and longer shackles at any good spring shop

 

2x2 1/4" wall square tubing between the axles & springs. Make sure they contact the same amout as the springs did w/the axle & make sure they are welded in place.

 

it will cost you a whopping $18. get two new taller spring equalizers, it's the piece that looks like a boomerang between the two axles. i changed mine out and got 2" more height out of it. i bought mine from rite-way axle & suspension in sun valley ca. 818-767-3323. i spoke to Kelly. it took about 1 hour to install.

 

Man, I can't believe you said/did that. I have often wondered if that might be an option?!?!?! I'd love to see some photos if you could post some, please.

I have read of some other 16" uprades that have sounded and loked like a major ordeal. There are some ideas and info on RVnet website, hover, nothings that sounds very easy.

Thanks. PCM

 

What size tires do you already have?I am also going to 16" & have 235,75,15 & going to 215,85,16 just 1" bigger & will work on my trailer.

 

I have the standard d rated 15" ST tires ad want to upgrade to 16". On another forum, I have had this response to adding a longer spring equalizer:

"Adding a longer equalizer can have its own problems. Trailer springs work best when the spring eyes are level with the trailer. Compression/rebound parallel to the trailers frame. Adding longer equalizers will not let the spring work at a normal level which adds more stress to the pins/eyes. That creates faster wear and imbalanced spring compression and rebound. I had the same tire Clarence issues on a implement trailer some years back and this was the dealers advise on why it wasn't a good idea to add longer equalizers over what the suspension was designed for. "

OK guy. What are your thoughts on this one? PCM

 

I am by no means a spring or suspension expert, but in my unprofessional opinion, I tend to agree with that statement. If it were me, I'd go with the adding of a subframe route. You might have to extend some wiring for your brakes, but everything else will stay in the same "plane" as factory. I can't imagine it would cost very much either. jmho

 

Aren't you going to have to switch axles to the 8 lug style in order to go to 16" wheels?

 

He might have 6 bolt 15's and could go to 6 bolt 16's.

 

correct. I have 6 lug and a 6 lug 16" is available witht he same bolt pattern. pcm

 

axels are the same 6 hole or 8 hole but the hubs are different.
do you have drop axels? i know it doesn't matter much because axels aren't cheap but i was woundering.

 

No drop axle. Straight axle mounted on the bottom of the spring. I am going to stop by a local spring shop and ask them what options/suggestions they have and IF the longer equalizer is a bad idea. PCM