qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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I have a Shadow Cruiser 18ft. I just measured the distance from the ground to the valve, 9 inches. I have been on all kinds of dirt, gravel roads here in Mexico and have hit some major bumps. Maybe three inches makes a big difference.
Have you considered, if possible, to rework the PVC pipes by shortening the elbows or rerouting the valve somehow? I am sure there is a fix for this. It is on the exterior and should be easy to work with. A walk through Home Depot or Lowes may help you find the answer. Good luck and keep us updated on what you do.
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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a1coolmom
eldersburg,Maryland
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Joined: 04/03/2004
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We had the same problem and we took it upon ourselves to trade out the axle. Dexter was very helpful and hubby is a mechanic so it wasn't that difficult for us. I feel alot better about driving off road or into fields with this setup. If you do a search in this forum you will find many comments about low-riding jayco's(kiwi's).
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BucknMoe
Shoreham, NY
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Joined: 07/03/2004
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I own a kiwi 17a with 13" wheels/tires. I also have low ground clearance, I plan on using two inch tubing welded/bolted to the frame and axle then up grading to 14" wheels/tires. I was talking to a mechanic where I bought my trailer and they said they have done the job a couple of times with success. I've also read about it in one or two forums a while back. It seems like a very easy job to do. I expect about 4" of lift.
Good Luck
Buck N Moe
1994 Chevy Suburban K1500
2000 Jayco Kiwi 17A
Shoreham, NY
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2Bcomfy
Alton Il
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Joined: 02/15/2004
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ours hangs pretty low too..something we didn't know to look for while we were shopping. We take it slow on speed bumps and curbs, but have had no problems.
It's not a problem for us cause we don't boondock...if we did? That may be a problem. We travel with a group of people who have 19-25' hybrids, and the difference between ground clearance (and quality of workmanship!)is amazing!
2006 Chevy 1500 Z71 crewcab
2004 Jayco Jay Feather 23D
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orggardn
columbia, tn
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Joined: 09/11/2005
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Well.... we went out on our maiden voyage this weekend. No rough terrain to really have any impact on the plumbing. I did do the string measurement from the bottom of the tire to the bottom of the scrape guards. It looks like there would be enough clearance. Even so.... it looks very low. I'm going to take it easy until I get a better feel for it.
qtla9111 - I went out and looked at the plumbing and tank set up. The only option I would have is to enlarge one of the "holes" on the frame large enough to allow the black drain to come through the frame and then 45 degree down for disposal. I'm afraid to do that - I'm guessing it would compromise the structural integrity of the frame. Other than that, I just don't see any other "plumbing" options.
Buck - I am very interested in hearing more about the "lift" process that you are going to use. Please post further details or pictures. That additional 4" of lift is the only option that I am going to feel comfortable with. I have same style frame that is being noted in the "bent frame" thread (although mine is not a Norco / Bal frame). Not sure your idea would work with my frame.
Still lookin'.... still figurin'.....
Me,"The" Woman, 3 young'uns, & the dawg
2003 Astro
2002 Jayco Kiwi 21C
(moved on from a 1996 Coleman Sun Valley)
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The Peab
Pasadena, MD, USA
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Joined: 09/24/2004
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My Roo 232 didn't come with the lift kit (an option I would have paid for if I didn't buy right off the lot), and our drain is scary close to the ground as well. I have scraped the triangle thingies below the back bumper and even dragged the drain pipe while leaving steep drives and such. The pipe seemed to flex okay, but not something I'd like to do very often. The worst that's happened to me was I spun the cap off of the pipe (more than once). I carry an extra cap in case it happens and I don't see it in time to stop and run back to pick it up. Those thin plastic straps that hold the cap on break away really easily. I haven't added a stronger line to the cap in case it should come off in transit and get snagged on something that would rip the tank loose. 
The Peab
03 Suburban 1500 LT
232 Rockwood Roo
Prodigy Brake Controler
Reese hitch w/ weight distribution and anti-sway bar
Mom (naviguesser)and Dad + 2 Daughters
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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Joined: 03/15/2002
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You can see the famous Roo riser kit in my photos linked below. Nothing more than a steel 3" height box section welded to the frame and the suspension mounting plates welded to it. This may be a Roo "kit" for all I know. Al-Ko axles. Maybe it's their kit? Anyway, this and 14" wheels/tires provides 4" of lift -- and I'm glat to have the ground clearance.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
Our Photo pages
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rickm
LaSalle (Windsor), Ontario
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Joined: 11/10/2003
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The used 2000 Kiwi 17A i just purchased has two small roller wheels attached to the frame just in front of the rear bumper. i'm thinking the previous owner had those installed to prevent the drain from dragging!
2004 Jayco Jayflight 27BH (our 9th Jayco, 3rd Jayflight)
http://community.webshots.com/user/lastqwest2003
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camperforlife
Richmond IN
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Joined: 01/22/2004
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Our Antigua dump valves are a little closer to the ground than yours with no problem to date. I am very careful backing into a campsite that has a parking block. If I were to back the valves over the block they most definitely would be damaged.
2004 GMC Sierra 5.3, 3.73
2003 Antiqua 195CK
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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Joined: 03/15/2002
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I see this thread has been revived.
If a trailer has a leaf spring suspension the axles are normally attached to the top of the springs. Axle is between the spring and the chassis. This is an "underspring" suspension and almost universal.
It's possible to convert this to an "overspring" suspension "merely" by reassembling the springs on top of, rather than below the axle. "Merely" meaning that it ain't quite that simple but that's the concept. Dexter will provide a "kit" to do this which includes all the required new U-bolts, steel pads, etc. Inexpensive but labor intensive.
Our Roo's suspension is similar to a torsion bar and, as my photos show, requred a 3" steel channel be welded to the bottom of the frame and the axles mounted to that to get the chassis higher off the road. Trivial project at the factory. Requires a good welder and some precision measuring if retrofitted.
If I neeeded to protect my drains I'd skid plate the area they're in, not depend on Vees at the rear of the trailer. 1/2" steel plate won't decrease ground clearance much.
We found the Riser Kit very valuable on our first trip. Nothing to do with the drain clearance. Site sloped up to the rear. Without the Riser Kit the rear bumper would have been on the ground long efore the front was raised enough to level the trailer. For this reason I'd raise the entire trailer rather than try to skid plate the drains.
Something to consider.
-- Chuck
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