5th Wheel Raised Up!

[DRR-24V]

New Truck was too high for my 5th wheel. Dexter Axle Co. makes a kit to place the springs above, rather than below the axles. It was $70 and I was going to install it myself. After thinking about lying on a creeper under a 9000 lb trailer with the springs and axles disconnected, standing 30" high on my sorry jackstands I decided to just pay the $200 installation fee. ! It raised everything 3" plus the thickness of the springs for a total lift of 5". I have 6+" of clearance over my bed rails and the rig is level. I am now a Happy Camper. !

 

[dmurdock]

me too

did the same thing with same results, rig rides perfectly level. One thing to check is make sure you still have enough give in the electric brake lines, on some rigs this may be a problem...

 

[Happy Camper]

Had mind done the same way. Have a 3 step step and built a platform box for the co-pilot as for some one 5' the 5 to 6" additional height was not welcome. Tows level now!

 

[DRR-24V]

Happy,

I have a 5 ft Wife that can't open the door now without climbing onto the first step. This box you made, is it compact enough to just sit inside the door while traveling?

 

[dmurdock]

i whipped one together real quick out of 2x6's and a 1/2" plywood top. Piece of rope looped thru the middle with some left over rubber hose from the pac-brake install as a handle. It's heavy, but works and fits in the doorway during travel. Next time i'm at wally world i may look for some type of step (you know, like grandma has in the kitchen).

 

[Gunny]

Hey Don, I think that a step like I have on my trailer would be low enough for you. When you get to Raton, sense you will get there before I do, take a look at mine and see what you think. Gunny

 

[Jumbo Jet]

How about part numbers and source for purchase?



Thanks.

 

[DRR-24V]

Originally posted by Jumbo Jet

How about part numbers and source for purchase?



Thanks.

Dexter Lift Kit number is 46-3210 (2 required) The number will be different for each axle size. This number is for a 3" axle.

 

[jstyer]

dexter kit

I purchased the same thing for my 5er, but I only paid around $46. 00 for the pair to raise a 3" axle. Ordered directly from Dexter on the internet. It really isn't too hard to do yourself, just remember to have your trailer raised higher than normal before removing wheels, otherwise you could have fun trying to reinstall wheels after axle drops about 5". You might want to look at this thread also:

http://128.242.249.86/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19986

 

[DRR-24V]

Re: dexter kit

Well now my stabilizer jacks are too short. ! I think for now I will just carry some 6" square chunks of wood in the bed as I am running out of time before our vacation.

 

[Happy Camper]

Don.

It fits inside the door or in the back of the PU. The co-pilot had the quality control issue so it took a while. 5/8 plywood glued with carpenters glue and inside/outside carpet on all sides. Made it large enough to act as a landing.

 

[JSoloman]

Hey, that's great. It ain't working for me over here. I'm still going to have the spring brackets cut and more steel added between the frame and the springs, to get mine up to level. By mid August... .

 

[SteveH]

When I had the dexter wheels and axle set-up on a 31 foot 5th wheel, the axle already had the brackets for reversing the springs welded on it from the factory. Check first to see it this is the case on your axles before buying something you may not need. My axles kept bending and required constant realignment. Solved that problem this year. Went to the Torflex 7000# axles with ourside grease zerks that push the grease to the inside of the bearings, pushing the old grease out. Love the axles, the ride, and the clean look of not seeing the little round axle that originally came on the rig. You can order the axles with any amount of rise you need, 8" in my case. They are great.