#376

I decided to make my own lift axle..

[@hat4rack]

Supplies - $40 Ingenuity & know-how & system understanding - priceless! Great job..........

[@robertsise7898]

Hey Dan. You ought to consider purchasing a "Magic Creeper." It would save you from rolling around on the urine soaked asphalt in the truck stop. Great job.

[@anthonytrevino341]

Just bought one from harbor freight. $30

[@kennethrobinson11231]

Use to do this all the time. I welded a bracket on the axle and had a chain coming down from the frame. Drove the wheel up on the blocks and took the chain and put it over the bracket. Put a 3/8 pin in the bracket so the chain couldn't come off. Worked great.

[@flatbedtruckingsamrides.9355]

My trailer is set up the same, except welded two 4" strap winches. Permanent straps looped around the crossmember and axle, bungee tension on slack straps when that axle is in service. I have a scale also, my bags deflate when I pull the trailer brake. Love the fuel savings, no complicated, heavy mechanism. Just takes a minute.

[@danielhofer7386]

Your going to do this a few times & then say the hell with it.

[@MemmenTrucking-zm2cy]

Or he's gonna hire a driver to do it for him - Then it turns into a new vid called F You I quit

[@frankirwin2377]

My dad and I used our Bottle Jack to lift the axle on blocks and just chained it up as you have. The bottle jack also lets axle down easily. Saves trailer tires on empty miles.

[@tomholt5809]

If you take 2 short 4x4 and pull up on them before you deflate the rear bags. It will pull the front axle up higher and you won’t have to tighten the binder up as much. It lift higher and easier on you.

[@johnnance648]

Roll on Dan, great solution, keep up the great content.

[@kens.3729]

Very Interesting set-up. Thanks for explaining and showing us how this all works.👍

[@COL-vz6if]

Nice one Dan, necessity is the mother of invention..............Be careful when in close proximity to the bags when inflating them........they DO go bang!............

[@thomasberg7088]

Yeah! Banged my chair bag....have to clean the cab for a week....😂😂😂

[@MrBusdriver63]

@@thomasberg7088 as long as you enjoyed it..lol

[@MrBusdriver63]

@@thomasberg7088 as long as you enjoyed it,that is all that matters

[@erics5168]

the two thumbs down must be from lift axle salesmen..

[@chuckyf-u2395]

That's funny!!!

[@wildbillanderson9100]

VERY GOOD IDEA.....I HOPE IT CONTINUES TO SERVE U

[@richard7717]

Hahaha! I’ve got a 2000 spare flatbed I am going to do this “poor mans” lift axle conversion!

[@ernestdougherty3162]

yep been there done that good job Dan keep it up

[@danielvrana9444]

Hey that’s real smart!!! Cheaper than a new trailer!!!

[@hughmackellar7941]

That is slick. Well done sir.

[@darrelfuhrman8217]

A buddy of mine, before he lets the air out of the suspension, he put a rough 2 x 8 on each side under a tire. Then backs up. Pickup the boards, chain & boomer. You could use that also on lifting the axle. Good luck from north east Montana.

[@Andy-vh3ns]

You be a smart and resourceful man there Super Dan! Nice work ... =)

[@stevesauerland1745]

Maybe fashion two, short wooden ramps that you could pull front axle onto and eliminate binder . Hook chain one link long so as to be able to release chain after pulling back up on ramp when lowering axle.

[@CashisKingtrucking]

Not bad. Careful rolling around in truckstop parking lots

[@dennislancet]

Less tyre wear and more MPG, good thinking Dan !!!

[@michaelford5885]

I love a lot of Dan's ideas but this one is too much work...the Kitt from the dealership is $567. They offer it in a bolt on or a weld on .

[@mpoly4464]

What kit? I could use some direction..... I'm attempting to do the same. I'd like to lift my front axle as well.

[@sipzter]

Dan you are a maniac!! Wow..Wish I was as ingenious as you...I have trouble changing my oil! Be safe P

[@thomasberg7088]

Nice work mister! Now you save some buck on tyres to, but be care in turnings, thanks for sharing

[@rolfsinkgraven]

A great idea well done Dan.( guess this is a dry weather version :-) )

[@SteelyPaw]

After all that, I'd have to pull into Walmart and take a nap LOL.... Good thinking however,......... Always nice seeing you Dan, stay safe out there,

[@Ez-ko1gz]

Your a genius thanks a million brother 🤙🏾 save me some money and tires great job

[@lumiexpress]

Great video! I will have to try it sometime!

[@cleckler2935]

I’m all for the cheap way. That’s awesome

[@jamesfarnham1976]

Ingenious! 👍

[@chuckyf-u2395]

Your poor man lift axle had me LMFAOO 🤣😂🤣😂 What did we do to deserve two vlog in one day 🤔

[@steverone7623]

Great idea dan 💡

[@zionisimkills1098]

with two 4 x 6 duneage , one under each set of duels will save you a lot of anguish going up or down. happy trails.

[@Sinister_Reaper]

Tri axle great dane im using has dump for middle and rear axle, makes it so much easier for corners and backing in tight docks

[@timmiryan4721]

I like that binder! I'm looking for a 53-foot Fontaine. Would love to have a *dump* axle for backing up to save tires and park easier.

[@clydeacor1911]

I have an old Aztec spread axle step deck and it came factory with a dump axle for turning so that you're not scrubbing your tires off. It just floats on the ground with just the weight of the axle itself so no lift. It just uses the extra wire in your trailer plug. So I'm sure that newer trailers would have this option as standard equipment.

[@TORAH-613]

To keep from crawling under so many times get you an I beam and mount it just behind your front axle and weld a chain to that beam. Then run that chain under your axle to that beam you had it hooked to in front of your axle, leaving enough slack for when your bags have air in them. Then mount a smaller chain in the front with a hook that reaches just in front of your axle. Now take the air line coming from the back and on the out side of the frame route your supply air line there and put a cut off valve on it. Then from the cut off valve mount a Tee with the air bag line mounted in it and from the tee put another cut off valve. Now when you want to lift your axle all you have to do is dump your suspension air on your truck, then dump your rear axle switch then walk to that valve you mounted by your front axle on the frame and close off the valve coming from the rear axle, then open the valve going to your front air bags, that empties out the air in your front bags. Then roll under your trailer and grab that short chain and hook it on the long chain just in front of you axle. And then flip your dump switches to fill your truck bags and your rear alxe bags. Although that sounded like 30 mins worth of work, it only takes me about 2 mins to do and everything stays in place. I dont have to drag out chains and binders to do that.

[@RetireWithLess]

MacGyver Dan! Excellent!

[@lumberjunkee8451]

Macgyver would have used ducktape instead of chain🤣🤣

[@captainflatbed.7927]

Love my dump valve. Cheap easy cheat lift axle

[@yofrentzen]

Awesome!

[@MrJim0823]

Good Idea Thanks Dan

[@dennisrice1777]

Looks like a good idea to me Dan.

[@anthony1636]

You can buy air bags, valve controlled that will lift the axle up & down. Not sure how difficult they are to fit but worth the expense. As it saves on tyre wear and more importantly FUEL savings.....

[@cleckler2935]

Anthony saftrans I’m not sure you watched the video lol

[@TheDaf95xf]

Great video but hard work to save a few dollars 💵 in fuel ⛽️ 🙈 Well done and thanks for sharing anyway Cheers Stevie 😎🇬🇧

[@malcolmbaijnauth4023]

Awesome video bro. Took some tips.

[@RodeoJoe1981]

I've seen it done using a cable and the trailer winch on sliding rail and pulley, just drop air close valve and tighten winch, no getting under. Move cutoff valve to side of trailer

[@KB-gs8zi]

Sir Dan !!! Fine IDEA when the weather is NICE as DON"T THINK I would want to on the ground in ICE/SNOW/RAIN unless you want to take a BATH !!haha ""KEEP IT SAFE ""!!!

[@chuckyf-u2395]

Totally agree with you KB!!!

[@thomasberg7088]

Well, on the ice and snow, you have to get down, down and chain up!🤗❄️☃️🌨

[@darrelfuhrman8217]

K B On snow & ice the trailer will pull straighter. Same weight on 4 tires instead of 8. A buddy with a triple axle grain trailer has auto lift. First it lifts rear, then front, runs empty on just the center axle. He said it pulls straighter empty on the center axle than all three.

[@craigmorrissey2926]

Hi from AUSTRALIA good idea bit if you put timber under tyrer for lift down and up will make it easy for you to hook up the chain and lesswines. Craig

[@mrkibler]

That’s actually really sweet. Upgrade possibility. Mount a winch under there that is permanent, figure out how to affix the cable to the axle run the power through the running lights. Then it’s the press of a button..

[@dirtylu79]

Mr kibler.. wouldn't that power wire be a lil too tiny to operate a small winch?

[@hotrodhog2170]

If the rear axle has a dump valve, why wouldn't you make that the lift axle? Wouldn't have to crawl on the piss covered ground and just reach through the ICC bumper to chain up. It would also make the trailer more maneuverable too.

[@TutorialPanda]

My belly dump is a spread axle and my rear axle lifts. Trust me when I say, I do not even bother picking that axle up. It makes for one hell of a bumpy ride and the ass end after the front axle flexes pretty badly, you also typically scuff the tires going over Bridges and rough transitions.

[@bigc6436]

Because the air ride value is on the rear axle so to chain up the rear axle valve wouldn't put air to the front axle to raise the bags

[@TORAH-613]

Most spreads have an arch in them making the back lean closer to the ground. If you lift the rear you wont be able to get enough lift on that axle without scrubbing your tires on every bump and dips in the road. Unless you have the air bags that mount lower than the axle. Which can give you a higher lift.

[@victorroughton7212]

I was hoping when you went to Norfork You would have said where you were going you were less than 60 miles away. I always said if you got close enough I come by and say Hey! Dad and Mom drove truck 40 years. Back then everything was paper. Maps, logs and pay phone. I always ride alone when on school breaks. Love your videos.

[@davidschabel4664]

Good job Dan the extra work will pay in wear and tear plus money pull toy here

[@BIGBilly]

👍😎👍 Very cool idea

[@TheBigOrangePumpkin]

I will add that thing to lift the axel also on mine when im getting. But is the stepdeck but will be same

[@sholden657]

I think your lift axle idea is pretty clever. However, you should buy yourself at least one speed binder and then you can use your cordless drill to run it up and down really easily. I work for an equipment rental company in Phoenix and we have the speed binders that we use a little quarter-inch impact with, I love those things!

[@ronrotan7389]

Your the man Dan

[@SFtruckerWolf]

Or three-way valve and holder for extra airbag over the axle to chassis, wire or chain and those under axle easy and cheap.

[@tractorboy31]

Get a couple foot long 2x4 s to pull up on before doing the lift and set back under before the lowering process to make it even easier and also if you cant get nice level ground. Looks interesting

[@bobmorris9687]

You can buy a latch that you weld in the center of the axle then uses a cable with a steel ring on the end which goes in the latch holding the axle up then you trip the latch with your wench bar to release the axle.

[@johniewaddle1214]

I do mine the same but i drive the axle up on one of my 4×4s dump air wrap short chain around axle up to beam on trailer wall la zoom zoom

[@LGmarge]

Thanks

[@lumberjunkee8451]

Neat trick👍

[@ruston723]

Nice make what mine has make sense now

[@jamesterrill1938]

interesting, please tell us how much it will help you on mileage, should help your tire life too.

[@eirickchronister9528]

Great ideer but that’s a lot of work for a little bit of saving. U might want to invest in a lift switch when u get some extra money. 🤣🙈👍👍👍👍, and also u should get some cheap chrome caps and hub covers for ur truck. Would make it look a little nicer.

[@kylanm7053]

In my 5+ years of driving I definitely see more of them than i used to. I see them now on a variety of trailers also and even some trucks has them like "Carter express" in indiana. If you plan on driving for several more years i would seriously consider looking into a nice used trailer with a loft axle or maybe trade your trailer in on a new trailer with a lift axle instead of dealing with that system you came up with. It's a cool system but you will get tired of crawling under there especially when it's wet or snowy.

[@muddflapthelogdog4739]

Just pull your front trailer axel up on 4_4 and don't worry about the binder just hook a chain air up tool off

[@rediRwoL98]

Smart!

[@DLSWV]

👍😉. Good idea. 👍😉

[@bretthoffman2128]

From what you stated, you oughta be able too eventually put the lifting bags on yourself, you've already got the valve, the only problem could be if you need to regulate the air pressure

[@wbball15]

Nicely done, Dan. Thanks for sharing.

[@doghouse416]

Take a 2" holesaw, cut a hole through the floor directly above the axle, as close to a crossmember as you can. Take a 12" diameter 1/4" thick steel plate, weld a section of chain to it, drop the chain through the hole in the deck to hook your binder to and use that to lift the axle. I've been doing this for 30 years,....you will be floored at how long your trailer tires will last. It takes all of 2 minutes to lift and drop, well worth the time and effort. As a side note the steel plate has never gotten in the way of any load on the deck, and the aluminum floor has never bent, I just take a bungee and secure the chain from below when the axle is down.

[@Gray_Nickel]

Only thing I notice is, when you opened the ball valve to add the air to the bags. You shouldn't be under there, the day you have one of those blow by you (let alone in front of your face) you'll understand. It made me cringe watching you stay under there with them filling up. You even jumped a little when that one popped... I know you're doing it for video purposes but it's not worth it. But its a great video none the less! 👍🏻 🤙🏻 stay safe!

[@TheCrewChief374]

Well most winches I have used are able to pull in and reverse out. Therefore, I would not see why you could not control the movement down with a winch.

[@showgundee2056]

The winch is a great idea

[@elihernandez1988]

How would you explain that to a D.O.T officer? We all know how they can be. Seems like a lot of work. Is it worth it?

[@tonycavez]

bolt an electric winch under the bed loop cable around axle , hit the switch up or down easy peasy

[@thomascoleman3540]

No way you save enough fuel and wear and tear to be doing all that. To much free there my man lol.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Do you realize how badly spread axles chew up side walls? Just stick to bumping docks, steering wheel holder.

[@michaelford5885]

Yes spread axels do eat up those front tires on the spreads...but I'm just doing to spend that $567. from the dealer for the bolt on kit !

[@1nicesonoma934]

I would like one as well. What is better the front or rear axle to have the lift on?

[@terrymoody3780]

What do you do with the ABS on that axle especially when internet trips the light

[@jessehagenbeck2624]

My only question would be why not do the back axle so you can shorten up the wheel base and might be better for turning when not loaded. Just an idea. Otherwise nice job buddy

[@jojawh]

Seems like you could put some blocks of wood under the wheels before dropping the rear axle and that would slack the chain.

[@michaelhiggins8250]

Have you considered a speed binder for some convenience and easy of use?

[@louisglen1653]

Why didn't you lift the rear axle instead? You would have a tighter turning radius. I like what you did!

[@sisutrucks]

that would give the truck scary handling. i run tri axle draw bar dump trailers, can lift front and rear axle. i never run with only the rear in the air. it takes weigh off the drives on the trucks.

[@RodeoJoe1981]

Wouldn't matter which axle except the leveling valve to control ride height is on the rear axle. Lifting rear axle wouldn't change handling except yes trailer wouldn't track in as much.

[@chuckychuck]

👍👍

[@Jesse-le9bh]

Dan, how much fuel mileage Improvement is expected?

[@dumbandretarded]

Utility gets $500 for the kit and another $150 for fittings, push pull valve and airline!. Not sure it would be worth all this after a few times of doing it. If you own the truck and trailer $650 plus time and labor isn't going to break you!. It pays for itself over time. It does help in the snow and ice for traction if your light on the drives and saves you on fuel and tire wear!.

[@chrisleon6238]

👍. 👍. 👌

[@MidwayGuy]

Any idea how much that helped your fuel mileage?

[@Acts238Church]

That's awesome dan👍😃👍

[@gerardovillatoro2905]

Would you mind to add links where u get the parts for the project?

[@dlwood7777]

That's a good idea don't want to spend the money on the kit

[@larrywiggins672]

Rise the back axle use two blocks back the truck up,chain the axle

[@rmeshr4282]

👍🏼🚛. Looks like a shock is leaking on the lift axle. Saves $$$. Good idea

[@55bigblockcid30]

Go to Harbor Freight and buy an electric winch.Pretty cheap ,and run the power back.

[@cedricgates9976]

had a dead axle on my pulp truck would back up on a bank had a chain on it and would pull it up on a keway to hold it up to let it down repeat then back into hole let it down then put a pin across the springs to hold it down then load pulp go to mill repeat again every load

[@mellsterr6192]

Noticed your left shock is leaking. Time for new shocks?

[@CarolinaDreamerAutomotive]

How's the fuel mileage / Parking? Is it worth all the headache?

[@poboy-to8bj]

Good idea, but a pain in the a$$ for a few mpg... great video though

[@josephjakubec3171]

Won't be vetting a few miles per gallon. Hardly noticeable.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

it's the cost of tires that he will make gains on. I'm going to assume that neither one of you understand how badly a spread axle tears up side walls and tire shoulders.

[@poboy-to8bj]

TheRoadhammer379 good point

[@brianhubbard6423]

How much money do you save when lifting the axle?

[@jamesburgin8168]

So, how much fuel mileage do you think you'll save?

[@brianwallace678]

that seems an awful lot of work, just get a lift axle fitted to the trailer, remember dan theres no pockets in shrouds, you cant take your money to heaven with you, so spoil yourself on a luxury item, like a lift axle, love the videos, keep them coming and safe trucking...`

[@POOLMAN867]

I did mine and my abs comes on when get down the road . What did you do about the abs on the axle that you lift . I see the wire so I know it has abs on the axle ?

[@SuperTruckerdan]

You have to find someone to reprogram your abs box on your trailer. Most trailer shop can do it

[@POOLMAN867]

@@SuperTruckerdan thanks for response

[@letterpool]

realistically how much fuel does a lift axle save you figure? just curious.

[@anthonytrevino341]

I think it’s more for tire wear on the front tires. Not sure on fuel