Damaged goods

[andrewkoperdak]

Can somebody lead me to an solution? The rear of my 2500 is to high for my 5th. My 5th wheel is only 19 feet plus overhang. Anyway, the truck bed angles up and my trailer angles down causing the two to make contact. I get about 4. 5 inches of clearance on flat and level ground measuring at my tailgate to the frame of the overhang.

I have torsion bar suspension so ther isn't alot I can to with the axle. I have researched welding metal spacers to the trailer from and then mounting my axles to that. I can't drop my pin box down as this would make the angle of attack to steep on the trailer. In effect. . makeing matters worse.

Can someone show me the light? I am tired of getting out of my truck and finding the paint removed by the trailer.

Andy

 

[mlockner]

If it's a 4X4 truck I believe Dodge has a kit to lower the rear or you may have to do an axle flip on your trailer to get it up higher.

 

[andrewkoperdak]

mlokner,

no no I am only a 2x4. I did ask the dealer about the 4X4 TSB he never heard of it. Do you know what they modify to bring it down in the rear?

I am stock, hitch is all the way up and I have 265 75 16 tires/wheels.

 

[andrewkoperdak]

mlokner,

no no I am only a 2x4. I did ask the dealer about the 4X4 TSB he never heard of it. Do you know what they modify to bring it down in the rear?

I am stock, hitch is all the way up and I have 265 75 16 tires/wheels.

 

[Thomas]

TSB 02-001-01 to lower rear of 4X4 trucks.

 

[Fireman]

Sounds like you need to raise the trailer, this can be done by welding in spacers as you mentioned or possibly relocating your axles from the top of the springs to the bottom( some mfgs. have kits for this). I would contact the trailer and/or the axle mfgs. A third way maybe air bags, but I don't know about that.



Fireman

 

[pkennedy]

I am going to assume that by torsion bar in trailer you actually mean rubber torsion suspension and if this is the case the proper way to increase height of trailer is to weld in a sub frame the height difference needed to obtain level in the trailer frame. Unfortunately this can be costly and the only other solution is go to a flat deck and eliminate those precious body panels which Dodge made you pay dearly for, that was my solution and my only regret is that D/C will not sell me a cab+chassis Quad Cab with the bigger frame and no pretty tin foil and expensive paint.

 

[Big MAK]

I think that even the 2wd has blocks over the axle... between the axle and spring pack. To lower; shorten the blocks. I think that's what the TSB does?

 

[andrewkoperdak]

I just dropped my truck off tonight to have the rear leaf springs reshaped. I specified that I wanted to lower the rear of my truck by 2 inches. Part of what they are going to do is to remove the tiny tiny tiny blocks that 2wd have. They are only 3/4 inch tall. Nothing like the ones that are used on 4wd. Anyway, this is the least expensive route. At only 350 dollars it sure beats the 2000 dollars one weld shop wanted to raise my trailer.



thanks to everyone.

Andy

 

[Fuzz]

Weld .

I have a '78 Tumbleweed 5th wheel. . When I purchased the 3500

4x4 I needed to raise the trailer... It has the rubber torsion suspension. (forgot what it is called)Anyway had a welding shop in Cheyenne Wy raise it 6". They said that is the max. . They welded (is that a word?) girder on the frame to raise it. Cost $350 dollars . . Seems to work OK. . Haven't pulled it much,like a dummy a bought a new trailer that came from the factory raised. .

FWIW.

Fuzz

 

[andrewkoperdak]

Fuzz,

Well... out here in San Diego nobody had a price less than $1000 for the welding work.

National Spring and Suspension was the only one that had a reasonable price of $350 for rebending my rear leaf. They offered another option and that was to replace my front springs with taller ones. That cost $550. Theory behind that was if you raise the front the angle of the truck would change and the rear of the truck come down(my truck and trailer were striking each other just above my taillights). If I could have had the welding done for $350 I would have as this is what I really intended to do. I was left looking for other choices when the prices were as extreme as they were.

Andy

 

[SOLER]

Holy Moses!!

Originally posted by AKoperdak

At only 350 dollars it sure beats the 2000 dollars one weld shop wanted to raise my trailer.



Andy

2 Large for a spacer! I had mine done for $150. 00. I found a guy in Enid, OK, and my problem was cured. I didn't want anyone messing with the axle/spring swap. Mine was raised 3"



It still is lower than the truck, but is much better, is stable, and no rubbing.



I would find another welder!



SOLER

 

[Todd T]

have you looked at velvet ride shackles for the truck? those will drop you down about a 1 or so too. and smooth out the ride some.



if you cant find vlevet rides i would look at bell tech or some of the other lowering companies.



if you dont tow heavy you could remove your overload springs.

 

[Ron Bissett]

:-{} Oo. lost in space

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by AKoperdak

Can somebody lead me to an solution? The rear of my 2500 is to high for my 5th. My 5th wheel is only 19 feet plus overhang. Anyway, the truck bed angles up and my trailer angles down causing the two to make contact. I get about 4. 5 inches of clearance on flat and level ground measuring at my tailgate to the frame of the overhang.

I have torsion bar suspension so ther isn't alot I can to with the axle. I have researched welding metal spacers to the trailer from and then mounting my axles to that. I can't drop my pin box down as this would make the angle of attack to steep on the trailer. In effect. . makeing matters worse.

Can someone show me the light? I am tired of getting out of my truck and finding the paint removed by the trailer.

Andy

fourth try Go to www.dexteraxle.com click on ask expert think they can help you. Ron in Louisville KY . Oo. Oo.