Suspension question: Do you have a fifth wheel attitude/steller/iconic? around 2017 +/- year.

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Darglestein

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Hey y'all,

I bought a 2017 iconic 2817ckg.  The axles were flipped on it and was to tall for my liking. I took on the task today to reverse the flipping. But I think I'm either missing a part, or I have some brackets (see picture) the wrong way.  

currently now the trailer tires are sitting to low, and the fender flare screws are almost rubbing. Also it is sitting not level when connected to my stock 18 ram 2500.

Does anyone have an eclipse fifth wheel of similar model that can share pictures with me? or if in sd let me come take a look? 

Thanks!

 

IMG_6026.jpg

 
Do those units come from the factory in the "low" orientation?  Seems there are two pads welded on the axle tubes, is one added on vs say a factory appearing weld? 

Wondering if it was never intended to be in this orientation, especially with the tall 235/80R16 tires, there may not be enough room to stuff them in the fender as you are finding out. 

 
my assumption is those top plate's were welded on when the axles were flipped by the original owner (im the third). its a good question though, ill take a closer look in the day light.

 
Not sure what year but most likely right around  2017 all the Eclipse fifth wheels came with the flipped axles from the factory. Looks like somebody welded on some angle iron extra support in that picture.

 
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Darglestein said:
my assumption is those top plate's were welded on when the axles were flipped by the original owner (im the third). its a good question though, ill take a closer look in the day light.
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I have a 2014 Stellar and the axles came flipped from the factory. My trailer is in storage otherwise I would try to get some photos for you. 

 
Darglestein said:
my assumption is those top plate's were welded on when the axles were flipped by the original owner (im the third). its a good question though, ill take a closer look in the day light.
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Some google fu seems to show most if not all of the recently built Eclipse 5'ers with flipped axles from the factory. 

       Do you have wheel wells inside the trailer or is the floor entirely flat?   Typically no wheel wells = flipped from factory. 

Doesn't make much sense why there are extra plates added onto your axles unless someone went down the same path you did and reversed course. The angle iron between the equalizer channels is a typical move to add strength as RK mentioned above. 

Which part of the trailer is too tall for your liking; hitch stance, entry steps awkward, tall roof height, steep ramp angle?  Perhaps there are other changes you can make in lieu of flipping the axles down since that doesn't seem like a viable path. 

 
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I have the Stellar version of this same trailer. 2017. Mine came just like your picture. And yes the tires rubbed the fender screws. Actually had the dealer replace the tires after my first trip and I cut the screws back. I had a 2015 Duramax when I bought it and it sat perfectly level. I went to a 2019 F250 and had to flip the axles. Its sits a little ass end high.  I would like to move the shackles to the upper hole but then the hanger needs to be modified.

 
RK Racing said:
Not sure what year but most likely right around  2017 all the Eclipse fifth wheels came with the flipped axles from the factory. Looks like somebody welded on some angle iron extra support in that picture.
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Oh thats interesting they started flipping them from the factory around then.  And yea they welded extra support to help with this mod.



 

honEXduner said:
Some google fu seems to show most if not all of the recently built Eclipse 5'ers with flipped axles from the factory. 

       Do you have wheel wells inside the trailer or is the floor entirely flat?   Typically no wheel wells = flipped from factory. 

Doesn't make much sense why there are extra plates added onto your axles unless someone went down the same path you did and reversed course. The angle iron between the equalizer channels is a typical move to add strength as RK mentioned above. 

Which part of the trailer is too tall for your liking; hitch stance, entry steps awkward, tall roof height, steep ramp angle?  Perhaps there are other changes you can make in lieu of flipping the axles down since that doesn't seem like a viable path. 
Click to expand...


I do have wheel wells though and they have plenty of space to support the tires in the current (factory/lower) position. But the fender screws stick so far out that they will for sure hit the tires if i go down the road.

As for the height, there are a number of things that bother me.  The overall height is just a bit ludicrous, especially because we really like to go to national/state parks, and its going to become a potential issue with the tree's.

Also the garage door becomes a problem when on level surface, as the approach angle for any toys is incredibly steep.  just the other day i pulled the rzr in, and the belt started smoking because it was struggling to crawl in  so slowly (as i obviously didn't want to run it in to fast and possible hit something).

TWhite said:
I have the Stellar version of this same trailer. 2017. Mine came just like your picture. And yes the tires rubbed the fender screws. Actually had the dealer replace the tires after my first trip and I cut the screws back. I had a 2015 Duramax when I bought it and it sat perfectly level. I went to a 2019 F250 and had to flip the axles. Its sits a little ass end high.  I would like to move the shackles to the upper hole but then the hanger needs to be modified.
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Ok that's really good to know. I Guess maybe they had not started moding the trailers at this point to match the height of the new trucks. Thanks for the info, super helpful!

maybe I will just trim the screws off like you had and see how this goes for a while.

Had you or anyone else considered using blocks instead for a smaller raise?

 
Our 2021 38’ Attitude sits pretty high. When loading the side-by-side I use the electric winch and I raise the front of the trailer up a little high with the landing gear and that takes care of the steep ramp angle….. overall in my situation it works out for the best because I needed the height on the trailer….

3997E2EB-995B-4459-9F23-9140044C38C3.jpeg

 
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Darglestein said:
Oh thats interesting they started flipping them from the factory around then.  And yea they welded extra support to help with this mod.



 

I do have wheel wells though and they have plenty of space to support the tires in the current (factory/lower) position. But the fender screws stick so far out that they will for sure hit the tires if i go down the road.

As for the height, there are a number of things that bother me.  The overall height is just a bit ludicrous, especially because we really like to go to national/state parks, and its going to become a potential issue with the tree's.

Also the garage door becomes a problem when on level surface, as the approach angle for any toys is incredibly steep.  just the other day i pulled the rzr in, and the belt started smoking because it was struggling to crawl in  so slowly (as i obviously didn't want to run it in to fast and possible hit something).

Ok that's really good to know. I Guess maybe they had not started moding the trailers at this point to match the height of the new trucks. Thanks for the info, super helpful!

maybe I will just trim the screws off like you had and see how this goes for a while.

Had you or anyone else considered using blocks instead for a smaller raise?
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If I recall. My Duramax bed height was 50 - 51" and my F250 is 55- 56".  I have a leveling kit with 37s and airbags on the 250. The trailer place thought the flip was going to be too high but after it was hooked up and bags filled it sat damn near lever. Probably and inch low in the front. The axle flip raised it 6 - 7".  5" would have been just right. I bought these and mounted them on the ramp door. Then used some aluminum ATV ramps to extend the ramp door. I had a 4 seat 1000 RZR at the time and ground clearance was an issue. Now have a 4 seat Turbo S so don't use the extended ramp as much. I just put the RZR in 4 low and crawl.

https://www.etrailer.com/Camper-Jacks/Stallion/288-01892-2.html?feed=npn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google | Shop - Camper Jacks&adgroupid=91321603412&campaignid=293732897&creative=404001548822&device=c&devicemodel=&feeditemid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9030238&matchtype=&network=g&placement=&position=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8PnIh6jv8QIVYW1vBB2vQgIPEAQYBSABEgLBq_D_BwE

 
RK Racing said:
View attachment 9478
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holy Crap that thing is so tall! lol. If i was just doing desert I would have kept it that way, but trying to keep things as low as possible for all those trees!  My phone decided to take a Crap on me this morning, so once i get a new one today ill take a pic for yall to see the level difference now.  I may just run it for a bit and see if it being unlevel now becomes an issue.

TWhite said:
If I recall. My Duramax bed height was 50 - 51" and my F250 is 55- 56".  I have a leveling kit with 37s and airbags on the 250. The trailer place thought the flip was going to be too high but after it was hooked up and bags filled it sat damn near lever. Probably and inch low in the front. The axle flip raised it 6 - 7".  5" would have been just right. I bought these and mounted them on the ramp door. Then used some aluminum ATV ramps to extend the ramp door. I had a 4 seat 1000 RZR at the time and ground clearance was an issue. Now have a 4 seat Turbo S so don't use the extended ramp as much. I just put the RZR in 4 low and crawl.

https://www.etrailer.com/Camper-Jacks/Stallion/288-01892-2.html?feed=npn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google | Shop - Camper Jacks&adgroupid=91321603412&campaignid=293732897&creative=404001548822&device=c&devicemodel=&feeditemid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9030238&matchtype=&network=g&placement=&position=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8PnIh6jv8QIVYW1vBB2vQgIPEAQYBSABEgLBq_D_BwE
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Good idea on the ramps. I have a turbo s to. honestly that may have been my mistake last I drove it up, I was in 4 high, I wouldnt have thought it would have been the slightest issue though considering how well that thing crawls...  But the new door coat material is slightly slippery (i think its linex instead of rhino lining).  If i go back to the flipped height ill do that instead...doh!

 
grabbed the wifes phone instead to show some more pictures.  you can see how close the nails are now and see the height difference for level.  From what im gathering though, this may be normal. so ill probably just trim the nails and run it for a bit to see how it goes. I definitely prefer this height.

IMG-6828.jpg

IMG-6819.jpg

IMG-6816.jpg

 
Your Leaf springs look flattened out. I removed the six leaf factory spring (only was about 6 months old )and then I installed the 7 leaf. Still not happy one month later I then installed the eight leaf. Now I’m happy. If you change over to seven or eight leaf, you’ll probably raise up your trailer an inch or so by getting rid of that flattened out factory spring….. just a thought.

 
RK Racing said:
Your Leaf springs look flattened out. I removed the six leaf factory spring (only was about 6 months old )and then I installed the 7 leaf. Still not happy one month later I then installed the eight leaf. Now I’m happy. If you change over to seven or eight leaf, you’ll probably raise up your trailer an inch or so by getting rid of that flattened out factory spring….. just a thought.
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good idea. thanks!

 
Darglestein said:
good idea. thanks!
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Oops! Going to a seven or eight leaf will only raise you up a little bit if your axle is on the bottom. Since you moved your axle to the top leafspring it probably will do nothing…. My bad.

 
i just looked at my Blazen, 2016 with lippert chassis, and the Springs are on top of the axle,  

 
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