Bigfoot 17' Axle Change

[Legacy Posts]

I have a 1993 Bigfoot 17' and would like to increase the ground clearance by 5 - 6 inches. I met a Bigfoot 17' owner over the weekend and he claimed he had his axle rotated, which gave him an added 6 inches of clearance. His was a 1996 model. I'm not sure how the axle rotation is done and if it can be done on a 1993 model. Any information or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[Legacy Posts]

I'm not sure if you have a torsion or spring axle, but it souds like the fellow you talked to had a torsion axle and rotated it 90 degrees
This would give you the extra height, but I think it might cause a lot of extra wear on the rubber torsion section. If it is a spring axle, he might have meant that he had the axle moved from on top of the springs to underneath the springs ( overslung to underslung)

[Legacy Posts]

Larry, I spent some time looking over my axle because it is apparently obsolete
and critical parts such as brake shoes and magnets are no longer available from
since the original manufacturer has gone out of business. My trailer is an '81
and it has a drop axle mounted below the springs.

The existing clearance is enough for me, but if the axle was reversed
(assuming you can reverse a drop axle), it would raise the trailer 4" or so.
In my case this wouldn't work since the hub assemblies are welded to the axle
and the brakes would also end up upside down. If your hubs bolt to the axle
you could probably reverse them if you flipped the axle.

Another consideration might be replacing the drop axle with a straight one,
which would probably provide a similar amount of lift. If you already have
a straight axle, you might be able to mount it under the springs rather than
over them.

Some other inventive folks on this site have welded spaces under their frames
to increase the clearance.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php...96&page=1#10917
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php...86&page=1#11018
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php?TID=371

[Legacy Posts]

To all the people who replied to my query, Thanks! I have decided to go with a straight axle. A local trailer shop can do the change for me at a reasonable price. Once the axle is changed, I will put on 15" wheels and tires. After I have road checked the new running gear, I will describe the results on this BB so that others may benefit from my successes or mistakes, as the case may be.