Dually 4x4, is the bed to high for a 5er?

[MxerChris]

thinking of getting a 3500 dually 4x4 but I'm wondering is the bed to high for pulling a 5th wheel? any input would be appreciated.

 

[RustyJC]

Depends on the 5th wheel. Some can be adjusted high enough for a 4x4 with the Jake Plate adjustment (spring mounts on the frame). Others require "axle flipping" (actually, relocation of the axle from an above-the-spring to a below-the-spring position with accompanying spring perch modifications. )



If you're just now looking at a new 5ver, I'd make this part of my negotiations with the dealer.



Rusty

 

[MxerChris]

I just sold my 95 and am looking for a new truck, I want a 4x4 but dont want to have trouble when I up grade my Jayco to a 5er. So now I'm trying to get input on whether I should get a 2wd or 4wd. Thanks.

 

[RustyJC]

Certainly the 2wd is easier to work with in terms of adapting the 5ver (that's what we have), but lots of people have made the 4wd work OK. It just takes more effort to get the 5ver riding level with enough bed rail clearance when the truck sits as high as a 3500 4x4.



Rusty

 

[klenger]

There is a TSB to lower the rear end of the 2500 for a 5er. I got my dealer to do mine under warranty. I really like it. There might be a TSB for the 3500. Also, as I understand it, the 3500 has smaller stock tires than the 2500, so this should help too. My Arctic Fox 5er was built at the factory with the axles flipped, and works great with my truck. Check the link in my sig for my truck web page and look for the link on the TSB to lower the truck for details.



Good luck.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

flipping axles....?

Originally posted by RustyJC

Depends on the 5th wheel... . If you're just now looking at a new 5ver, I'd make this part of my negotiations with the dealer.



Rusty

Tell me more please..... I'm just starting my research on some 5th wheel units and the comments expressed so far in just this thread have been eye-opening to say the very least. . I have Rickson 19. 5 tires/rims on my 6x4, so I'm sitting up a bit higher than the standard factory 16 inch tires/rims.



I'm not totally upto speed on "flipping axles" either - care to elaborate please Rusty? Anyone else, plase feel free to chime in!

 

[TowPro]

check out this thread, it has information about axles, hitches, etc, etc

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Thanks TowPro... . sure makes interesting reading! It looks like my research will take a bit longer than I had originally figured...





JMc

 

[NVR FNSH]

John,

I tow a 36ft Patio Hauler 5th wheel w/my '00 2500 4wd. I run 315/75R16 tires on the stock alum rims (no lift) and have plenty of clearance between the bed rails & bottom of the trailer - ~9" (yes, I've touched the corner of the bed to the trailer - don't ask ). My trailer has had the springs flipped to gain the necessary height for clearance over the bed. I have a Reese 15K hitch.



Only downside to this set-up is that my trailer is very tall and presents a lot more frontal area above the cab of my truck. I'm 6'4", wife is 5'11" and we use a small stool to make the step from the ground to the trailer steps.



Brian

 

[Blakers]

My uncle and my cousin both tow a 5th wheel camper and horse trailer with 3500 4x4s with no problem.



Blake

 

[MxerChris]

I would definetely like to get a 4x4, we go to allot of the Nascar races and the extra height you would have with a 4x4 and taller camper would be good in some of the campgrounds we get into.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Dummies' Guide

Originally posted by NVR FNSH

John, My trailer has had the springs flipped to gain the necessary height for clearance over the bed. I have a Reese 15K hitch. Only downside to this set-up is that my trailer is very tall and presents a lot more frontal area above the cab of my truck. I'm 6'4", wife is 5'11" and we use a small stool to make the step from the ground to the trailer steps.

Brian thanks for the input! My wife is just on 5 feet tall, so I guess it would be on a par with climbing aboard my truck. The stool arrangement sounds perfect, so long as she doesn't expect it every time for the truck as well!!



I don't suppose there's an FAQ, or dummies' guide to flipping axles anywhere is there? Can all or most 5th wheel trailers be modified in this way; Are there any special considerations for specific 5th wheel manufacturers? Just want to make sure I've got all my oars in the water together... ...





JMc

 

[MxerChris]

I would definetely like to get a 4x4, we go to allot of the Nascar races and the extra height you would have with a 4x4 and taller camper would be good in some of the campgrounds we get into.

 

[D White]

I have 6" of adjustment on my 5'ver, 3 on the pinbox and 3 in the shackles. Still wasn't enough and I still rubbed a couple times on the bed rails. I needed an extra double step to get into the unit and wasn't real nuts about flipping the axles. Thing was to high already, IMO.



Here's what I choose to do instead, really like it and I now have no clearance problems. Even lowered the 5'ver back down low as it can go. With this hitch, my pin height is now 48".



DW



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[JPS]

LOWERING REAR OF PICKUP

Hey klenger, looks like you also added new shocks when you lowered pickup. Want to lower my '95 4x4,was told different shocks were not needed. What do you think? thanks jps

 

[BigMike]

I think some of the newer 5er's were designed with height of 4X4's in mind. I know my Cardinal was. I didn't have to make any kind of adjustment to my axles or my truck. My 5er sits perfectly level when hitched and I have over 7 inches of clearance. Do some measuring and then go shopping.

 

[phoekema]

factory tsb

Just a quick comment re: the factory TSB for lowering the rear of the truck... ... ... ... ..... In my case I had just gone over the warrantee (not miles, just time) period and the dealer flat refused to honor the TSB without charging for it (over $700. 00!). I ended up having a local shop drop mine 2" which cost a bit over $100. 00.

If anyone has been able to get the dealer to do the TSB after the warrantee period, let me know. It would give me (and others too) some amunition with which we could fight the dealer pollicy.



Paul H

 

[klenger]

Mine was done under warranty. $zero charge.



Broadway Dodge, Littleton Colorado.

 

[mberry]

I have looked at these at shows. Nice, but a little pricey for me. They supposedly are made specifically with 4x4 short beds in mind. I would check them out and make your own decision.



www.titaniumrv.com

 

[Wolfgang]

My Montana fits level with about 6" clearance on my 2500 with out any changes to the truck. I think you will find that most of the new trailers with slide outs sit higher than the older trailers that don't have slides. As they said measure the truck then measure the trailer when it is level.