Height above ground measurement with lift lit

[Bill]

Common questions regarding the lift kit are "Do I have a lift kit on my trailer? How can I tell?" And the question is further obscured by the fact that a few years ago, TM began to install a high-lift axle on some (but not all) trailers in place of a lift kit. Later, the factory made the high-lift axle standard. So you can add "Do I have a high-lift axle?" to the list of questions.

I think the answer to all of it can be found by measuring the height of the trailer frame above ground. If your TM has a lift kit, the frame will be further off the ground than if it does not. Make this meqasurement near the axle, so leveling the trailer won't affect it. Of course, a change to 15 inch tires will also make a difference, but much less than the addition of a lift kit.

My 2006 2720SL has a factory-installed lift kit and 15 inch tires. The bottom of the frame is 16 1/2 inches above the ground. If your trailer is of similar vintage but doesn't have a lift kit, I would expect the height to be more on the order of 14+ inches. Perhaps someone can confirm? And if your trailer is new, I would expect it to be 16 inches or so even if no lift kit is visible.

At any rate, I put a picture of the measurement in my Tech Album, at

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...pictureid=1283

Bill

[funpilot]

Mine looks like it is 21 inches with the lift kit.

[stormpeakco]

Originally Posted by funpilot

Mine looks like it is 21 inches with the lift kit.

ditto. 21" @ the frame and 14" at the bottom of the axle.

[tentcamper]

Are you measuring from the ground to the bottom of the frame near the axle?

[stormpeakco]

Originally Posted by tentcamper

Are you measuring from the ground to the bottom of the frame near the axle?

if you're asking me? Yes.

[tentcamper]

Stormpeakco, 21." If you add the frame height and 3" for the floor that would put your floor to ground somewhere between 29 to 30". Do you have 2 steps that pull out or 3?

Just measured my 2003 2720. I'm at 15.5," but I only have a 2" lift and 14 inch tires. I would assume with a 2.5" lift and 15" tires I would be around 16-5/8 to 16-3/4.

[stormpeakco]

Originally Posted by tentcamper

Stormpeakco, 21." If you add the frame height and 3" for the floor that would put your floor to ground somewhere between 29 to 30". Do you have 2 steps that pull out or 3?

Just measured my 2003 2720. I'm at 15.5," but I only have a 2" lift and 14 inch tires. I would assume with a 2.5" lift and 15" tires I would be around 16-5/8 to 16-3/4.

Tentcamper,
outside, beginning the initial install of "Bill's screen door", (touch up spray painting black after cutting the frame edges-silver trail)

Two steps (but really no bother so far, should it become an issue some nice forum member recommended a fold up step) and one can't be lazy about the first step up or one may skin up a shin...the level TM is sitting on pavement that is slightly sloped towards the tongue and I measure 31" to the floor at the door opening...soooo, as you said, on level ground the floor is likely ~29-30".

[tentcamper]

I had a camper that had first step that high. It only was an issue if that was the low side when leveling the camper. I did have the the aluminum fold up step and it worked well.

[Bill]

Wow! That is a LOT of difference! It looks to me like the new campers are being built with MUCH more road clearance than the older ones. My measurements would seem to apply only to the older trailers, such as my 2006. It would also seem to answer the question "Will my MPG change if I add a lift kit?" Apparently not, since TM added several inches (not just 2 or 3) with no noticeable effect.

Maybe a better question, or at least an associated one, is whether the overall height of the closed-down trailer, including air conditioner, jack antenna, etc., has changed This goes to the question of whether it will fit in the garage. I'm not sure how the ground clearance could increase by 5 inches (!) without increasing the overall height of the camper. My 2006 already has a low profile air conditioner, so that is not the answer.

No offense intended, but are you guys sure you are measuring to the bottom of the frame member (which is 5" high), and not the top? My picture showed measurement from ground to the bottom of frame, which is also the top of the lift kit. I added a note to the pic to show this.

Well, sometimes you learn interesting things by putting out unexpected data.

Bill

[Padgett]

Just measured my "stock" '06 without lift and with 27" tires: 13.75" curb side and 13.5" street side measuring just behind tires and to the bottom of the frame..

I do not have any drag issues but tire clearance on street side is minimal.