Flipping Axles / Bed Clearance / "Locking" Hitch???

[boonsur]

Oh boy, where to begin with this experience...



Getting ready to order our 5th wheel. Went to a dealer that I like, but he told me flat-out, they will not flip the axles (liability), nor could I get it done at the factory. Further, when I told him I wanted at least 8" (from what I've read here), he basically called me crazy. Said 4-6" is all you'll ever need. My driveway has a decent ramp from the street, so I'm a little concerned if this will be enough (especially after a friend banged up his bed last year in a similar situation). What do ya think?



I have a good frame & axle shop nearby. How much would it typically cost to get the axles flipped, or spacers added?



Another thing he mentioned, was to get a hitch with a side-to-side "lock" . I have never heard of such a thing, but I am new to this 5th wheel stuff. He implied that there was a way to lock the side pivot when traveling down the road, etc. It seems to make sense that this would prevent the unit from swinging "down" in tight situations. Does such a thing exist (or is it standard to all hitches)? Will my Pullrite Super 5th have it (which, BTW, should arrive MondayOo. )?



Please, once again clarify the minimum clearance I need. I don't want to take any chances with my baby.

 

[Casey Balvert]

In my opinion, you should have at least six and preferably 8. I have over 8 and even that is close at times. But I do a lot of camping at state parks that may not be level. You already have a problem with your driveway. I agree with you, you want 8 inches of clearance. Bashing the bed rail and your trailer will definitely ruin your day.



I don't understand the liablility issue with your dealer. Dexter makes kits specifically for that purpose. If it was that bad, I doubt Dexter would make the kits. A good shop would probably take a couple of hours to install the kits.



As for the side to side lock, I presume he is talking about locking out the side to side tilt on the hitch. Pullrite doesn't have that and quite frankly I don't see what purpose it would serve anyway. Not going to change the bed to trailer clearance.



Perhaps find a dealer that will work with you. Or buy a trailer with adjustable suspension.



Casey

 

[Ram4Sam]

Some is good, more is better!

Boony, from my experience, anything less that six inches at the bed rails is pushing your luck. Eight inches is plenty, six is okay, and four inches it is just a matter of time until you crunch the bedrails. Locking out the side to side movement in your hitch isn't the best for your trailer. With no side to side movement at the hitch, all the needed side to side movement comes from twisting the crap out of the trailer frame,springs,etc.



Sam

 

[jbone]

I agree with all the answers you got... sounded like the 6-8" you are asking about could be adjusted on the hitch--at least mine will adjust for height... ... that side to side locked, sounded really stupid--think I would look for another dealer or salesman with less 'bull'... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... R, J. B.

 

[klenger]

All the above answeres and comments are right on IMO. What kind of 5er are you looking at? There may be some members here or on irv2.com that have the brand trailer you are looking at who might have some specific experience with that brand/model.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Ken, how are you making out installing all the goodies in the new truck? Got the brake controller in yet? Can't wait to hear how she tows. Bet you will be busy the next few days. Oo.



Casey

 

[klenger]

I got into Tucson at 3:30 this morning. By 9:00 I was washing the truck, and have started the brake install. Film at 11:00. I installed the pressure transducer in about 5 minutes, and didn't need the extension hose. Really slick. I also found a 2" hole through the fire wall with a rubber plug that I can use to route the wire harness thru. I'm off the the hardware store for some stuff to make that work. The rest is plug-in-play.

 

[rweis]

I had less than 6 on a previous 5er and did hit the toneau cover rails which did a small crunch on the aft end bed rail drivers side. Not good.



I have a new 5er Alfa. Had the axles flipped. Gave me 6" more 5er clearance to ground. Tows the same. Go to your 5er manufacturer site and find the owners forum. Ask them, they have LOTS of good ideas.



All the ideas above are good.



Go to owners site, irv2.com, any number of rv owners sites. Ask there and you will probably find someone with your make and model. GOOD info.



I have a "floating" hitch and love it. Previous 5er I had the owner cracked and twisted it's frame by not having a floating hitch or by hauling with a tow vehicle that did not give ie a semi tractor. Dealer did not "remember" to tell me this before I bought it used.



Have fun, BTW WHAT make / model did you get?



Bob Weis

 

[tae73]

If the camper u order was like my 96 coachman. It already had the springs on top of the axles (Dexter brand). I called and talk to a tech, the suggested that I install new equilizers. I did, cost about $14 total and about 2 hours of my time and a buddy's. Was really easy to do with a couple of jack stands and floor jacks. I gained about 2" of trailer heigth with them. And then changed my tires to 225 series and gained another 1" or so. It fits alot better with around 6" of clearance now.

 

[boonsur]

Tae, please excuse my ignorance, but what are the equalizers?



If flipping the axles adds 6", that may be too much (if the trailer truely has 6" clearance, as the salesman claims it will). Maybe a spacer kit would be better, say 2" tall (to go from 6 to 8 in. ).

 

[RustyJC]

Based on experience ($750 for bed rail repairs to previous truck ), 6" is the minimum you want for bed rail clearance, and 8"-9" is desired. By the way, our bed was damaged pulling into a service station off I-75 in southern Kentucky - hardly off-roading or boondocking.



Our current 5ver (Jayco Designer XL 3610RLTS) has "Jake plates" on the frame that the spring shackles and equalizers bolt to. These Jake plates have a series of adjustment holes that (from memory) probably allow one to raise the 5ver around 4" or so. If you need more, the Dexter axles can be flipped (as others have mentioned, Dexter provides a kit and instructions for this). If the RV dealer isn't knowledgable enough to do this, I'd find a good trailer fabrication/repair shop - here in Houston, we have Trailer Wheel & Frame, an authorized Dexter axle dealer and service center.



Our B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch is a dual pivot (front to rear/side to side) hitch that's hydraulically damped in the side to side plane. It has no provision for locking the side to side movement, and I can't imagine why you'd want to.



To learn more about RVing, I'd highly recommend getting involved over at iRV2.com - the forums are excellent, and it's free!



Rusty

 

[tae73]

Not a problem, the equilzer is looks like a triangle piece that is between the two axles. It has a spring attatched on each side and the center pin is attatched to the frame of the camper. Dexter makes different sized equilzers. Height that is from the center pin to the center of each pin.