2005 Bed Height While Towing???

[RJOL]

Before asking this question, I'd like to give you some background.



I've ordered a new 2005 CTD 3500 QC LWB 4X4 Dually. Due to the new suspension setup, the back corner of the bedrail sits at about 60" off the ground. My 2001 sat at about 57". When my trailer is hitched (on my 2001), I have about 5 1/2" of clearance between the trailer and the top of the rails, tailgate, in the back. This has been adequate for the type of towing and camping we do, and the 5th wheel sits almost level.



I have discussed doing a springover, for my Alpenlite trailer. MY RV fab shop can do it but they suggest that I wait until the new truck gets here, and see how much the rail drops, with the king pin weight on it. In fact, Klenger (fellow TDR member) has stated that he thinks his new CTD compressed more than his pre 2003 CTD. If that works, that would be great, as it would save $300-$400 not doing the springover.



The only problem with this is that after the new truck arrives, if it doesn't compress the rails enough, I won't be able to tow the trailer to the fab shop for the mod.



I would like inputs from fellow TDR members but only if you meet the following conditions.



2003-2005 Dodge 3500 QC LWB 4X4 with tow package; No mods to suspension of the truck (i. e. not lowered, no air bags, etc. ); a king pin weight of 2000-2600lbs. I'd prefer Dually info, but a SRW 3500 might also be valid.



1. What is your rail height at the rear end of the bed rails with no load?

2. What is your rail height at the same location with the trailer loaded (level ground)?



This would be helpful for me to decide if I should do the srpingover now, or wait and see after it arrives. I can do it now, as I still have access to my 2001 to tow it in to the fab shop. Thanks in advance for your help...

 

[HOBrian]

I know some of the guys on here have removed the spring spacers. The two shims between the axle and the leaf springs in order to drop the bed height some. Just my . 02

 

[RJOL]

I know that's an option, but for under 2" gain, I'd like to leave it stock.

 

[Fireman]

I agree with Ken my '03 DRW seems to compress the springs more than the 2nd Gen 2500. My 5W pin weight is about 25-2600#, I have never measured how much it lowers the truck so I can't say for sure, and since my 5W is back at the factory I can't go out and do the measurements for you. My opinion is that the '05 should be about like the '01 when you get the trailer hooked up.



FWIW

Fireman

 

[LEPage]

Try this easy fix first. The equalizer between the springs is generally 1. 5" from factory. This is easily changed to one with a 3" lift. It does not raise trailer a lot, but most the time we're not looking for a lot. These equalizers are available at most trailer dealers for around $10 each. If your trailer has 15" wheels, consider swapping to 16". This also will raise the trailer some, and the 16" tires are just plain better on a RV. The combination of the 2 changes should realize a 2-3 inch raise and solve the problem, plus you have a higher tire rating.

 

[RJOL]

Try this easy fix first. The equalizer between the springs is generally 1. 5" from factory. This is easily changed to one with a 3" lift. It does not raise trailer a lot, but most the time we're not looking for a lot. These equalizers are available at most trailer dealers for around $10 each. If your trailer has 15" wheels, consider swapping to 16". This also will raise the trailer some, and the 16" tires are just plain better on a RV. The combination of the 2 changes should realize a 2-3 inch raise and solve the problem, plus you have a higher tire rating.

Fireman... Thanks for the info. . I'm assuming you did not modify your truck or your 5th wheel...



LePage... My 5th wheel already had 16" tires. In fact, I think the Alpenlite sits a little higher then other stock 5th wheels. This is why it wasn't a problem with my 2001. The "equalizer" brackets on my 5th wheel are about 3-3 1/2" already.



Thanks for the feedback. Keep them coming...

 

[Fireman]

That is true, no modifications to the truck suspension or the trailer suspension.



Fireman

 

[RJOL]

That is true, no modifications to the truck suspension or the trailer suspension.



Fireman

Sounds promising. Guess I'll just wait until the new one arrives, unless someone in my area with the same setup as my new truck wants to test his truck under my 5th wheel... :-laf

 

[tpardini]

I would recomend aleast removing the spacers at the rear axle. pretty simple job follow instruction on klengers page. I replace my 02 2500 for A 04. 5 3500drw never

had A clearance problem with the 02',The 04. 5 on the other hand has hit the trailer twice body shop estimate 5k. the first time the truck was stock level, the second time

was after installing the leveling kit at the front springs,now with the spacers remove at the rear axle the truck sits level. The trailer empty weight aprox 6000 lbs rear of the truck drops 4" the clearance from bed rail to trailer is now about 5 1/2". I live just north of you in Duvall work in Bellevue your welcome to come take A look or some measurments, my set up is A goose neck so hooking up your trail would be A problem.

Hope this helps just dont want anyone esle to reck there new truck.

 

[RJOL]

... The trailer empty weight aprox 6000 lbs rear of the truck drops 4" the clearance from bed rail to trailer is now about 5 1/2".

Thanks for the info... I wonder if the reason your new truck is not compressing as much is that you say your trailer weighs 6000lbs empty. This would probably give you a pin weight of around 1200lbs. I will probably have around 2500lbs on my pin and another 300-500lbs of cargo and fuel. I have Klenger's info and I may do that if the trailer is close...

 

[DMcGalliard]

No problem with height of 2005

hi RJOL

I have a new 2005 3500 4x4 dully and I was concerned about the height as the 2005 is about 3" higher than my 98. I am pull a teton with a pin of about 3000#. I was amazed that the trailer has a little more clearance than the 98. The spring system has more flex at the top for the softer ride with noload. There are plenty of springs to carry the load as the 2005 is rated at 12200 where the 98 was 9600. I used the same 5th wheel hitch on the new truck. Bottom line is that there is plenty of clearance as long as you are not jumping ditchs. See my sig for details of my truck. Hope this helps.



Davem

 

[RJOL]

Dave...



Thanks for the info... Your truck is probably just like the one I ordered. I'll wait till it arrives, then I try the trailer on it. If it is close, but needs a little more clearance, I might remove the spacers on the rear axle. I really don't want to do a springover, as my 5th wheel already sits higher then a lot of 5th wheels and I don't want to move the center of gravity any higher. I'm also concerned that any modifications to the truck will give Chrysler an excuse to void the warranty, if I have any related driveline or suspension problems... Thanks again...