Fifth Wheel Clearance

[Jumbo Jet]

You can lower the back end of the truck 2-1/2" and it still sits higher in the rear than the front.

I lowered mine 2-1/2" 23,000 miles ago.

Total cost was about $100.

I had new U-bolts made and fabricated the 2-1/2" blocks myself.

 

[pwr2tow]

I have not lowered any truck (why???) but I would think it would cost more to lower truck then to raise camper. By the way do not flip axles, put springs on top of axles, if you can not do that extend the mounts where the springs connect to trailer. As some one pointed out to me, if you flip your axles your tires will look like a volks wagen with a fat lady in the back seat. #ad
#ad

Ron

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1999, 3500, 6x6, slt, auto, 3. 55, Qd cab, ISB cummins, DD stage 1, modified banjo bolts, K&N 0880 with prefilter, triple trailing 2001 26RKSS Tahoe 5th wheel, 1999 120hp 1800 bayliner.

 

[pwr2tow]

P. S. go back to the dealer and p$ss and moan that he should have made the trailer right in the first place.

Barry, as a person I don't know you.

as a DEALER I don't know you!!!

Even brothers disagree.

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1999, 3500, 6x6, slt, auto, 3. 55, Qd cab, ISB cummins, DD stage 1, modified banjo bolts, K&N 0880 with prefilter, triple trailing 2001 26RKSS Tahoe 5th wheel, 1999 120hp 1800 bayliner.

 

[klenger]

Jumbo Jet:
Tell me more about lowering the back end. I plan on getting a 5er next year and want to stay as low as possible. Looking at the rear axle (2001. 5 2500), it looks like there are two blocks stacked on top of each other between the axle and the springs. Can one block be removed and leave the other? Looks like that would drop it about 2. 5 in.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box/
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

[This message has been edited by klenger (edited 04-15-2001). ]

[This message has been edited by klenger (edited 04-15-2001). ]

 

[Ramkids]

Lets bring this one back to the top. I am confused with the information posted regarding the Dexter Lift(?)Kit. Everything I see on Dexters site seems to be describing an over spring to under spring axle swap.

Is there anyone out there making an extended shakle kit, allowing me to keep my axle on the top of the springs??

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'99 3500 4X4, Quad Cab Red w/Tinted Windows,
Automatic - 3. 54's, Stainless Ultra Boards
4" Exhaust, DD Stage I Inectors K&N Filter, Pillar Mount Boost/Pyro Gauges, Cubby Mount Trans Temp

 

[DocStressor]

I just wanted to let you all know what my friends are finally doing to increase their clearance. We learned a few interesting things that may help others with the same problem. They decided to go with the Dexter kit that puts the springs on top of the axles. The job costs a bit more than normal for their Holiday Rambler since they are going to need longer shocks. This is not always the case for other brands. We checked several dealers (both RV and Dodge) and nobody recommended lowering the truck. One dealer even said anyone who did this should be jailed for cruelty to trucks! This mod apparently affects a lot of things including wheel tracking and front end alignment. The cost of lowering the truck is over $600 vs $250-$300 for reversing the springs plus the cost of new shocks (sometimes). Now here is the interesting part: The RV dealers can’t suggest flipping the axles of the trailer to a customer because of liability issues. They will only do the job if a customer specifically requests it. In fact, Holiday Rambler is going to void the parts of their warrantee that covers the suspension and frame. So that’s the story. To get the recommended 6 inches of clearance on a 4X4 RAM or Ford SD, you have to void part of your warrantee.

Any RV dealers want to chime in here?

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags,Reese Titan V hitch, Mag-Hytec differential cover with Amsoil 2000 75W-90 lube, Amsoil air filter

 

[Wiredawg]

I have a triple axle Travel Supreme that the dealer informed me the axles had to be flipped to safley set it up to my truck. Cost me $400.

Looks and pulls realy good. #ad


Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch,Mag-Hytec dif cover,Psycotty Air.

 

[hotel6]

Trailer dealers seem to be like truck dealers- some good - some not. I'm in the process of moving up to a 5th wheel from a pop-up. It doesn't take too long looking at the frames and axles of trailers before you start seeing a relationship on the quality of the product and the quality of the dealer. A good dealer is going to steer you to better products if he realizes that you are looking under the surface. And, if you are getting a trailer the way you want it, most likely it isn't on the lot and will be built for you at the factory. So that is the time to get the right height for your truck bed clearance. Then it wont cost the extra bucks! The better trailer manufacturers seem more willing to make the modifications as well as putting the custom goodies you want in the rig at the factory. This saves time at the dealership and results in a lower cost based on what I have found so far.

As a side note- you can have that 6" clearance and still fold your side rails. While in New Mexico last month, a feller pulled in with his ford diesel and his big 5er. Disconnected for the night. When he went to rehitch the next day there was a loud crunch. Seems he thought he was still driving his 18 wheeler is what I interpreted amid the blue smoke. He later commeted about a senior moment- So be careful.

Incidently a Coleman trailer has no problems standing up to 50 mph winds with gusts to 63. And when driving, my new 2500ETH doesn't even notice its back there going down the road!

 

[Bob Stephens]

One of the options on my new Alpenlite was a high axle setting. I get the rig on Wednesday and will see how the clearance goes. Can't believe Holiday Rambler voids the warranty. Even on my POS Hitchhiker, the dealer asked what kind of tow rig I had. When I told him I had a Cummins 4x4 he added $200 bucks to the invoice and said we ahd to flip the axles. The HH clears the new 3500 4x4 by 6 inches in the front and 5 inches in the rear. The hitch weight is only 1100 pounds. The new rig is 2300 hitch weight so if the trailer is tall enough, it ought to compress the springs a little.

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2001. 5 White 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 Sport SLT+, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Line-X, Tekonshsa Sentinel Brake Controller, ICOM 706MkIIG HF Radio, Guages, 15. 5 Pullrite Hitch, DEE-ZEE FX Running Boards, and BD Exhaust Brake. 2001 Alpenlite 35RK fiver arrives next week! Ham Call: AF9W/7

 

[ralbert]

I dropped the the rear ride height of my 3500 from 58 1/2 to 54 1/4" by replacing the spacer between the axle and spring. I made a new spacer out of 1x3" steel bar. Cut and welded two pieces together and drilled a hole on one side and welded a tit on the opposite side so it was designed like the spacer that I had removed. Instead of making new u-bolts I got a piece of bushing material and made the proper length spacer. This make the truck stand level. My buddy did his 3500 years ago and has not had any front tire wear trouble. He pulls a 32' 5th and now has good tail gate clearance. I have a slide-in and it works great. If you can weld this is a cheap fix.

 

[Bob Stephens]

Measured the spacing on the new rig. With factory high axle setting I get 7. 5 inches clearance at the front and 7 inches at the rear. The trailer drops the truck 2. 5" when hitched and ready to go. Makes the truck look level.