Re: [SilverStreak] Flipped axels sound decesion

[<MSC06USNret@xxxxxxx>]

I'v  read all the comments regarding flipping axles with great  interest, and 
i thank everyone for the excellent comments and  explanations.  I have a 1958 
23 foot SS Clipper that i've entirely  restored to modern conveniences.  This 
included adding a rear 30  gallon gray and 9 gallon black water tank in the 
rear between frame  members.  These drop about three inches below the rear 
belly pans and  therefor to decrease the possibility of drag, etc. i flipped the 
springs on my  axles.  This added height helped to add the clearance that i 
felt i  needed.  I've since traveled over four thousand miles (with all catch 
tanks  empty) in every type weather and on every type road.  I have not noticed  
any change in towing performance and have had to take at least one emergency  
maneuver at high speed across three lanes BUT i do have two axles, which 
provide  me with a very stable towing platform.
 
I would be interested in comments regarding the number of axles being  
flipped - single or double.  Thank you, jim
 
 
In a message dated 4/24/2008 9:02:56 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
curtis.bussiere@us.army.mil writes:

Sir,  your assumption that I am just taking on tasks without concern for my 
or other  drivers safety is insulting at best. I am a 1994 graduate of Mack 
University  in Detroit. I have worked as a heavy truck mechanic for Olmos 
Construction. In  1998 I returned to my Military careear and have just retired from 
30 years in  uniform. I have a proven record of sound decesions and understand 
torque,  materials and center of balance issues. The unit is a 1974 SS trailer 
not the  space shuttle. Good day

----- Original Message -----
From:  thetansedan@aol.com
Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 18:26
Subject: Re:  [SilverStreak] Flipped axels (again)
To:  sslist@tompatterson.com

> All it takes is once. B Modifying the  suspension w/o input from a 
> pro isn't a
> good idea on  something this heavy. B My parents vehicles were 
> beautifullymatched,  and his skill as a driver B is almost 
> unmatched. B While it might  be
> "okay" so far as performance goes, it is still poor by comparison  
> to the
> original.
> A systematic approach would be best:  tires, axle design, spring 
> rate and shock
> absorbers.
>  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Keneth Wilson  <ke5dfr@sbcglobal.net>
> To: sslist@tompatterson.com
> Sent:  Wed, 23 Apr 2008 6:34 am
> Subject: Re: [SilverStreak] Flipped axels  (again)
> 
>  
> Anytime you raise a trailer or a truck, you decrease the stability  
> due to a
> higher center of gravity (CG).  The higher CG  makes the vehicel 
> tippy in plane
> terms, so you are always  beeter off keeping the trailer or truck 
> lower than
>  higher.
> 
> As for the axles over or  under the springs,  aand the use of 
> dropped axles
> over
> staight axles, it  is all done to keep the CG lower.
> 
> With the taller tow  vehicles, you se more and moer trailer that 
> set high...but
> if  you notice, the olser trailers like the SS all tow better with 
>  fewerproblems
> than the current trailer.  Part of the reason for  towing better is the
> aerodynamics and part is the lower CG.
>  
> By going from an over spring to an under spring arrangement, is a  
> minimal lift
> and probably will not be noticed on a properly  matched tow vehicle.
> 
> Ken Wilson
>  KE5DFR@sbcglobal.net
> Cypress, Texas
> 
> 
>  ----- Original Message ----
> From: "thetansedan@aol.com"  <thetansedan@aol.com>
> To: sslist@tompatterson.com
> Sent:  Tuesday, April 22, 2008 9:34:45 PM
> Subject: Re: [SilverStreak] Flipped  axels (again)
> 
> My parents raised their first one, a 1975  model. I am convinced, 
> that after
> exhaustive talks with my  father ten years ago, that this was a 
> contributingfactor to their  trailer having rolled in an emergency 
> lane change on the
>  highway. I would not ever do my own, nor would I ever recommend 
> it.  My
> father wanted the extra ground clearance, but the tradeoff is not  
> worth it.
> You can bet he did not do the axle flip on the  second S/S. There 
> is only so
> much movement (rocking) that,  first, the shock absorbers and, 
> second, the
> springs can  handle when the trailer starts to tip for whatever 
> reason. The
> design of the suspension needs to be different to accommodate this  
> increasedheight.
> 
> 
> -----Original  Message-----
> From: Bussiere, Curtis L SFC RES USAR TRADOC 
>  <curtis.bussiere@us.army.mil>To: sslist  <sslist@tompatterson.com>
> Sent: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 5:51 am
>  Subject: [SilverStreak] Flipped axels (again)
> 
> 
> I am trying to post  pictures of my 1974 Continental Supreme. Last 
> summer I
>  flipped the axels and installed new shocks in order to give the 
> unit  more
> ground
> clearance and present a better appearance when  hooked up to a more 
> modernhigher
> tow vehicle.
> At that  time there was much discussion about center of balance and 
>  somespeculated that the additional 4 inches would make the rig a 
>  tipping hazard.
> This has proven to not be the case with us. We have  put several 
> hundred miles
> on
> since the flip and if  anything it seems to handle better. It 
> required new
>  center
> pins and guide holes and of course anytime I remove a U bolt I  
> replace it.
> The
> old shocks were a couple of inches to  short and the boys at Auto 
> Zone let me
> go
> back and  dig through their shocks to find the size I needed. Of 
> course  all
> was
> torqued then routinely checked along the road for the  first 
> hundred miles as
> new
> U bolts will stretch.  There has been no slipping and the axels 
> track is true.
> This  was a driveway project and I recommend it to anyone who wants 
> to  stop
> dragging their tail over every dip and improve the look of their  
> unit when
> towing with a higher clearance vehicle.
> I  will await directions for posting my pictures.
> This was not a 180deg  flip it was moving the axels from top to the 
> bottom of
> the  springs. a 180deg flip will not work as the axels are designed 
> to  flex
> one
> way only. (dot ask me how I know this) Thanks  Curt
>