Lowering the Axles - raising the trailer

This procedure is erroneously referred to as "flipping the axles".
The axles are not inverted or flipped over, but are re-positioned from over to under the springs. This will lift the trailer about 4 to 5 inches. This series of pictures details the installation of the Dexter axle kit - no welding involved!

The "before" ... the owner wants to raise this trailer 4 to 5 inches for more road clearance. A Dexter Axle kit will be used ...

This is the contents of one axle kit ...

The trailer is jacked up and placed on jack stands. This allows the axles to hang freely so that the work can proceed.

Proper equipment is an absolute must!

This is the original configuration of the axles. The springs are mounted below the axle tubes. The project is to raise the trailer by re-positioning the axles so that the springs are located over the axle tubes thus raising the trailer by 3 to 4 inches ...

The old u-bolts removed and the front spring hanger nut removed ... cut the brake wires at this point to prevent accidentally tearing them out and damaging the brake magnets ...

Bolts removed, axle is ready to be dropped. The axle is resting on a floor jack placed in the center of the axle tube ...

This shows the front axle dropped to the floor and rolled ahead ...

... so that the spring can be re-installed above it. The axle is then rolled back under the spring ...

... and the kit with the new u-bolt, saddle and mounting plate are assembled in place ...

The finished job ...

The trailer has been raised 4 inches ...