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Old 01-19-2017, 11:02 PM   #1
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High lift axle

What is involved with installing or modifying the axle with the high lift kit, to gain more bumper clearance. Is it easy enough to do? Where are these kits available? Has any member tried it?
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Old 01-19-2017, 11:16 PM   #2
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I had ETI do it as a refit. Came in handy in the Cupboard Mountains.
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Old 01-20-2017, 02:38 AM   #3
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Hey Mac,
I had a high lift axel installed during the build. Its OK but visually, it looks like those Geeks in school who had their pant cuffs about 3" above their shoes. Not talked about much around here ETI will install a 22.5 degree lift ... which is 1/2 way between 'no lift' and high lift. Amounts to about 1.5 inches difference.

Maybe this will help,

Tom
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Old 01-20-2017, 06:05 AM   #4
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.... it looks like those Geeks in school who had their pant cuffs about 3" above their shoes.
Tom, I'd be careful what you say. Methinks a few of those geeks are now Escape owners.
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Old 01-20-2017, 08:58 AM   #5
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What is involved with installing or modifying the axle with the high lift kit, to gain more bumper clearance. Is it easy enough to do? Where are these kits available? Has any member tried it?
There are several posts on lifts. Assuming the stock axle set up is conducive then it looks as simple as dropping the axle to insert spacer and rebolting everything back up. I believe that #10 Dexter axles are what Escape uses. I haven't read that any owner actually did the installation themselves, but it looks reasonable especially on a single axle trailer.

www.dexteraxle.com/torflex_lift_kit

http://www.dexteraxle.com/i/u/614960...x_Lift_Kit.pdf
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Old 01-20-2017, 09:47 AM   #6
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We have a high lift axle on our present trailer and had the factory add it to our previous 16 ft Scamp when they replaced the axle.
As I've gotten older I've found that doing mods / repairs / maintenance under the trailer was much easier with the added ground clearance. We seldom boondock but I am sure the increased ground clearance will someday come in handy .
Scamp only charged us $200 to furnish and install the lift kit , which seemed reasonable to us .
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Old 01-20-2017, 10:06 AM   #7
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I installed the Dexter lift spacers on our Escape 19. Simple enough with a concrete floor and a couple of floor jacks and jack stands or blocks. Apply penetrating oil to the existing bolts now and when you start work, they'll be easier to remove, although with leverage, I had no issues at all.
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Old 01-20-2017, 10:38 AM   #8
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Its OK but visually, it looks like those Geeks in school who had their pant cuffs about 3" above their shoes.
you left out the pocket protector and pencils with a later upgrade to mechanical pencils...not to mention the slide rule in the back pocket with a later upgrade to a TI SR-10!
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Old 01-20-2017, 10:39 AM   #9
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you left out the pocket protector and pencils with a later upgrade to mechanical pencils...not to mention the slide rule in the back pocket!
AND the white adhesive tape on the bridge of glasses to hold them together!
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Old 01-20-2017, 10:50 AM   #10
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AND the white adhesive tape on the bridge of glasses to hold them together!
Donna ; You have perfectly described my high school graduation picture.
I no longer have the glasses but I still have the slide rule , which my grandkids find fascinating but confusing because it doesn't have a battery.
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Old 01-20-2017, 11:00 AM   #11
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AND the white adhesive tape on the bridge of glasses to hold them together!
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Old 01-20-2017, 11:20 AM   #12
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not sure but it seems like another possible benefit of the high lift axle is that it would provide more space at the top between the dual axle tires and the body thus making it easier to use those X type or dual axle type chocks with the adjustment at the top if one wanted to?
perhaps also providing more space for tire chains/snow/ice/mud between the front and rear edges of the tire wheel well ..
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Old 01-20-2017, 11:26 AM   #13
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AND the white adhesive tape on the bridge of glasses to hold them together!
Donna ; You have perfectly described my high school graduation picture.
I no longer have the glasses but I still have the slide rule , which my grandkids find fascinating but confusing because it doesn't have a battery.
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Old 01-20-2017, 11:45 AM   #14
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Donna ; You have perfectly described my high school graduation picture.
I no longer have the glasses but I still have the slide rule , which my grandkids find fascinating but confusing because it doesn't have a battery.
I think I still have a slide rule in a box somewhere. I wonder if I can remember how to use it! OH and my abacus...the first calculator I think I owned!
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Old 01-20-2017, 12:54 PM   #15
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AND the white adhesive tape on the bridge of glasses to hold them together!
Did it recently but used a darker tape. So much more refined!
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Old 01-20-2017, 02:59 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
There are several posts on lifts. Assuming the stock axle set up is conducive then it looks as simple as dropping the axle to insert spacer and rebolting everything back up. I believe that #10 Dexter axles are what Escape uses. I haven't read that any owner actually did the installation themselves, but it looks reasonable especially on a single axle trailer.

www.dexteraxle.com/torflex_lift_kit

http://www.dexteraxle.com/i/u/614960...x_Lift_Kit.pdf
Thank you!!
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Old 01-20-2017, 06:24 PM   #17
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AND the white adhesive tape on the bridge of glasses to hold them together!

Gee Donna,

I thought you were a modern woman... Adhesive tape is so 20th Century! Duct tape is much better! AND you can get it in camo!!!

Rich
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Old 01-20-2017, 07:43 PM   #18
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gee donna,

i thought you were a modern woman... Adhesive tape is so 20th century! Duct tape is much better! And you can get it in camo!!!

Rich
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Old 02-03-2017, 08:18 PM   #19
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MPG penalty and other downsides with High Lift Axle?

Turning in my build list for a 5.0 TA early next week and I have been off and on about this. I have a 2010 F 150 with the 5.4 V8 and tow package so I don't get great mileage but I also think the difference between towing and non towing mileage is also less than the 2.7 and 3.5 Ecoboost models. No data to back this up though.
I'm trying to figure out what are the downsides to a high lift axle vs. benefits.

Benefits:
1. Easier to get under the trailer for maintenance, cleaning and perhaps adding 2 inch insulation at a future date.
2. Less bending over to attach sewer hoses and dump.
3. Less risk of road hazard damage to things sticking out under the trailer.
4. More room to add things like square or round tubes to carry goodies. (Which can also help hold up insulation?)

Penalty:
1. $300.00 ($225.00 US)
2. More wind resistance.
3. Lower gas mileage while towing. (but how much lower?) My thoughts are that on a 5.0 TA the penalty will be less than on a 21 or 19.

Does anyone on the forum have any MPG data from before and after adding the high lift kit?
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