Can Dexter Over Under Axle Lift Kit be Used on Slipper Spring Suspension

Updated 02/09/2021 | Published 02/06/2021

Question:

I have a 2003 Coleman Niagara pop up camper made by Fleetwood. It scrapes coming in and out of my driveway, and I want to lift it a few inches. It has a 3500lb 2 3/8straight axle . I bought the following kit to do a spring over axle conversion: K71-384-00 It stated that it is for double eyelet leaf springs. When removing the axle, I noticed it has single eyelet leaf springs with a hook on the slipper end. I have the following questions: 1 Do I need to replace my leaf springs with double eyelet? 2 If so, does that require new spring hangers? 3 If I need to replace springs, will I still need to do the spring over conversion, or do the double leafs automatically give more height? Thanks,

asked by: Watts U

Expert Reply:

The Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit part # K71-385-00 CAN be used with slipper springs like what your Coleman Niagara has. However, the process of installing this kit on a trailer with a set of slipper springs is more indepth than installing this kit on a trailer with a set of double eye leaf springs.

There are two issues that need to be addressed when using the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit on a trailer with slipper springs, movement of the spring seat and dimensions of the u-bolt plate. Since slipper springs will shift back and forth as the trailer is in motion, the spring seats need to be fully welded to the trailer axle. In regards to the dimensions of the u-bolt plate, slipper spring are generally 2" wide and double eye leaf springs are generally 1-3/4" wide. This means that the u-bolt plate included with the kit will not work for you if your leaf springs are 2" wide. You will instead need to make your own which is fairly simple.

If you ask me, swapping out the u-bolt plate and welding the spring seat is easier and more cost effective than changing leaf springs and leaf spring hangers. According to Dexter Axle, the above process is permitted using the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit.

expert reply by: Jameson C