Lift a new 17.5 ft Bigfoot? - Fiberglass RV
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Old 10-15-2016, 04:49 PM   #1
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Name: Mark
Trailer: Coleman and Bigfoot
British Columbia
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Lift a new 17.5 ft Bigfoot?

I'm looking for some first hand knowledge about lifting an 17.5 bigfoot.

Any help is appreciated.
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Old 10-15-2016, 05:02 PM   #2
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Trailer: Bigfoot 17 ft 1992 / Chevrolet S10 4.3L.
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Lift Bigfoot

I just replaced the drop axle by a straight axle, is the best thing I did on the RV, This lift the trailer 4 inches and does not change the behavior on the road
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Old 10-15-2016, 05:55 PM   #3
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British Columbia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yvon Chayer View Post
I just replaced the axle of falling straight axle, is the best thing I did on the RV, This lift the trailer 4 inches and does not change the behavior on the road
Do you have pics or a post ??
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Old 10-15-2016, 06:16 PM   #4
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Pic of a straight axle

Pic of my new axle
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IMG_0331.jpg   IMG_0334.jpg  

IMG_0336.jpg  
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Old 10-15-2016, 06:27 PM   #5
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Other pic

Other pic of axle
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Old 10-15-2016, 06:41 PM   #6
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Name: Jack L
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
Washington
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markjeff View Post
I'm looking for some first hand knowledge about lifting an 17.5 bigfoot.

Any help is appreciated.
Do you have a straight axle or a drop axle ?
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Old 10-15-2016, 09:44 PM   #7
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Name: Jan
Trailer: '02 Bigfoot 17'
Washington
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I also replaced the stock drop axle with a straight axle for a nice lift. At the same time I replaced the brakes and bearings. I think it's an excellent upgrade. Here's a good "after" picture.
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Old 10-15-2016, 09:58 PM   #8
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Arizona
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Did you use a Dexter axle as the replacement axle? Or a Standen which is my original axle?
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Old 10-15-2016, 10:27 PM   #9
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If your question is directed to me, I don't recall the axle manufacturer. If I can find the paperwork I'll post a better answer.
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Old 10-16-2016, 06:12 AM   #10
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Trailer: Bigfoot 17 ft 1992 / Chevrolet S10 4.3L.
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Axle

the axle manufacturer is Fenco, a canadian manufacturer , he use dexter parts, i replace at the same time brake assembly and drum , a complete kit
The dimension of my axle, is 85 " drum face to face and 66" center of spring , axle over the spring
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Old 10-16-2016, 08:54 AM   #11
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I had an older BF 17-footer but count me among those who swapped the drop axle for a straight and never looked back. Best thing I ever did to the trailer, especially with a wet shackle upgrade.
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Old 10-16-2016, 09:18 AM   #12
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Axle

Quote:
Originally Posted by trainjunkie View Post
I had an older BF 17-footer but count me among those who swapped the drop axle for a straight and never looked back. Best thing I ever did to the trailer, especially with a wet shackle upgrade.


Same thig for me, also easy connect sewer and drain easy

I have no fear of breaking the sewer valves in the slope and still a very good handling
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Old 10-16-2016, 11:32 AM   #13
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Name: Mark
Trailer: Coleman and Bigfoot
British Columbia
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Thanks for all the feed back!

I'm buying a new bigfoot in March, I'll have the new axle installed at the same time. That way I can drag it into the mountain with a bit of confidence.
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Old 10-16-2016, 12:18 PM   #14
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Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markjeff View Post
Thanks for all the feed back!

I'm buying a new bigfoot in March, I'll have the new axle installed at the same time. That way I can drag it into the mountain with a bit of confidence.
If you are buying a new 2016 or 2017, 17.5 it should have a straight axle from the factory. The 17.5 started production in 2005. Many owners of the older 17 foot model, built up until 2004, including me, have changed the drop axle to a straight axle and have been very happy with the change. I believe later 17's had the straight axle as standard and all the 17.5's did as well.
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Old 10-16-2016, 12:44 PM   #15
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Trailer: Bigfoot
Arizona
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My 2014 2500 17.5 has a 4" drop axle from Standens in Calgary. I'm thinking of replacing it with a straight axle because I only have 7" clearance for the axle and 3" clearance for the bottom of the 'U' bolts for the spring pack. So, I appreciate hearing of your experiences with the axle change.
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Old 10-16-2016, 01:01 PM   #16
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Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tidewater View Post
My 2014 2500 17.5 has a 4" drop axle from Standens in Calgary. I'm thinking of replacing it with a straight axle because I only have 7" clearance for the axle and 3" clearance for the bottom of the 'U' bolts for the spring pack. So, I appreciate hearing of your experiences with the axle change.
Very interesting. Yours is the first 17.5 I've heard of with a drop axle. I was very pleased with the axle change on my 17. I also changed to larger wheels and tires. I now run ST 225-75-15. By changing the axle, I picked up 4 inches and the larger tires gave me another inch of lift.
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Old 10-16-2016, 01:02 PM   #17
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Straight axle

The cost of new axle are very inexpensive , new axle with new brake and new drum $240 canadian fund
I install myself at home in 3 hours very simply
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Old 10-16-2016, 01:16 PM   #18
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Mark, a good place to buy new axles is Princess Auto,

Quote:
Originally Posted by markjeff View Post
I'm looking for some first hand knowledge about lifting an 17.5 bigfoot.

Any help is appreciated.
:either in Coquitlam or Langley, they moved the location in Langley to the By Pass.
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Old 10-16-2016, 01:17 PM   #19
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U should never use old U-bolts always use new.

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Originally Posted by Yvon Chayer View Post
The cost of new axle are very inexpensive , new axle with new brake and new drum $240 canadian fund
I install myself at home in 3 hours very simply
:Stude
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Old 10-16-2016, 01:27 PM   #20
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Axle

Yess, new ubolt, new leaf spring and new wet shackle bolts
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