2003 3500 Lowering

[RJOL]

Has anyone purchase a 2003 3500 4X4 and had it lowered so it could tow a standard fifth wheel? Is Dodge still offering this fix?



I'm thinking of upgrading to a 2003 one ton SRW and wondered how this has worked for 5th wheel haulers. I know the trailer axles could be modified, but that would put the entry step up pretty high.

 

[CPritchett]

I talked to my dealer about this a couple of months ago and they told me this is not a free fix. It would cost over $700 to lower 2". I have a 2000 Jayco 5th wheel and I found out it had adjustable spring shackles and I raised it up several inches with the adjustments. I used to have a 30' bumper pull when I had my 96 Dodge diesel and I had a trailer manufacturer put the axles on top of the springs and it raised it up about 4-5" and cost $130. I read several posts on the forum where members got their trucks lowered in the back at no cost, but I checked several dealerships and they all gave me the same cost, $700.

 

[RJOL]

Did a little more searching on the forums and found that there isn't a good fix for lowering the 2003 3500 as there was on the earlier 3500's. Apparently they have changed the spring setup and the kit that fixed this in earlier models doesn't work on the 2003's. I wonder what it would cost to do the flip on the trailer? Still don't like this option but there is just barely enough clearance on my 5th wheel (just under 5" over the tailgate) when it is hitched up to my 2001 4X4, and I'm afraid the 3500 4X4 SRW will be worse...

 

[TowPro]

Dextor makes a real nice kit just for this. It includes new U bolts and axle plates. The axle plate has a bolt system that allows the new plate to clamp onto the old welded on plate so you don't even have to weld if you don't want to. I think I paid around $25. 00 per axle in 1997 for the kit. It really does not "turn over" your axle, it moves it to below the spring, but the "spring bend" built into your axle is still going the correct direction.



The only hard part is jacking up your RV so all 4 wheels are off the ground to get the axles out. I think it took me around 4 to 5 hours to install the kit on a 2 axle camper.

Originally posted by RJOL

Did a little more searching on the forums and found that there isn't a good fix for lowering the 2003 3500 as there was on the earlier 3500's. Apparently they have changed the spring setup and the kit that fixed this in earlier models doesn't work on the 2003's. I wonder what it would cost to do the flip on the trailer? Still don't like this option but there is just barely enough clearance on my 5th wheel (just under 5" over the tailgate) when it is hitched up to my 2001 4X4, and I'm afraid the 3500 4X4 SRW will be worse...

 

[JThiessen]

Just had mine done

I posted info on the job I had done (would have been around 5/22/03). I had the axels flipped on my Jayco at a local welding shop for 300 out the door. I'm now shopping for a 3 or 4 step for the trailer - so yes - the trialer gets up there fairly high. It did change how it felt towing, and it seemed to make it a little less stable when parked.