Height of 4X4 for 5ver

[RKaniefski]

I ordered a 2003 3500 HO auto dual wheel 4X4 and the rear end is much higher than my 96 gmc. I am going to transfer my 5ver hitch to the 03, but it looks like it will sit too high. Has anyone had an issue with the height???

 

[Fireman]

YEP!

I is too tall for my 5w. The pin pox is retracted and the hitch is lowered and I have precious little clearance between truck and trailer. The trailer still has a nose up attitude.



Fireman

 

[Dean Upson]

I ordered my trailer built up 3" at the factory. My previous trailer had the axles flipped to clear the bed of the truck.



Dean

 

[Ian]

Hitching clearance

Don't know if it will work for you but my Y2K 4 x 4 sits quite a bit higher than my first generation D250 did, it towed my Dutchman 5th wheel, level.

Was able to get a local spring shop to fit shorter blocks between the rear springs and axles on the Y2k, took it down 1. 5".

Measuring the ground clearance of the trailer front to rear, was 4" higher in front, now with the lowered rear and droping my hitch to the bottom, 1 hole, very close to level.

Flipping the axles on the trailer was not an option, built with the axles under the springs.

RV shop told me need 5" between the box and the 5th wheel. Initially I had 7", now just under 6"

Good luck.

 

[phoekema]

truck height

I don't know about the 2003, but the earlier trucks had a TSB available to lower the rear of the truck. If you address the issue before the warranty runs out, it should be done at no charge by the dealer. I installed smaller blocks, as the warranty had run out before I realized the TSB was available. It is at least worth checking with your dealer.



Paul H

 

[RKaniefski]

Thanks for the replies. I checked my Sunnybrook 5ver and it has 2 more holes in the spring brackets that will allow me to raise the trailer some. I don't know if it will be enough.

I am new to this forum and there are a lot of things I am learning, so what does "ETH/DEE " mean in the truck description of some of the members?

 

[klenger]

Wait, I know the answer to that one. ETH/DEE is the order code for the high output (HO) 6 speed NV5600 transmission.

 

[Ian]

TSB

I priced the TSB recently, $C1150 (<=>$US750) plus labour and taxes to fit.

 

[DThiel]

RKanieski,



I have the same situation with my '99 2500 and '02 Sunnybrook. Right now I have the axles adjusted on the trailer for the highest setting, but I still only have about 4. 5" clearance. I'm looking at flipping the axles and reinstalling the axles in the middle of the three holes for a net gain of about 2. 5"-3"

 

[RKaniefski]

DThiel, does the axle flip make the trailer less stable? I seen a kit at Dexter Axle a while back for the axle flip but never tried it. Do you know anyone who has done the flip?

I just went to DexterAxle.com and they have a over under kit, which includes new u bolts, spring seats, and tie plates. Looks pretty good.

 

[GRusche]

Did the flip

I just completed an axle flip over the long weekend - biggest job was gathering enough blocks to properly stabilize the camper. Used air tools to knock the wheels off and loosen the u-bolts after a thorough Liquid Wrench soak. Since my camper ('92 Layton) was a recent purchase, it was the perfect time to inspect the brakes and repack the hubs. I gained about 5-6" of clearance after the job was completed. The darn thing still hooks up "uphill", though. Only 800 lbs. of hitch weight does not level out the pickup. Can't shed any light on after-effects to tires, bearings, stability but will monitor and report.

It seems that many have to have this done-I know a guy with a Phord that has flipped the axles on two campers to get it to fit.



Guy

 

[mconstable]

I've got exactly 6 inches of clearance between bed rails and fifth wheel, and the fifth-wheel sits 2 inches higher in front than back. I would like to flip my axles and re-adjust fifth wheel hitch for a couple of more inches clearance.

 

[Diesel Nut]

When I bought my 2002 Carriage Cameo on the lowest setting it fit great behind my truck. And I still have 2 more holes I can raise it. It sits a little nose high, and the 1900# hitch weight isn't enough to drop my truck more than 2", But I don't think its out of level enough to cause problems. Clearance is good, though. Another thought would be larger tires. I have a freind with a 32' Layton that lifted his trailer 4" and then when to 235 85R16 tires to get it behind his Centurion built F-350. It's a big SOB and is still pretty stable.

 

[JThiessen]

I did it last week....

I have some limited experience here. I just had the axles flipped on my Jayco AFTER I moved the leafs down two holes (I went from a '99 1500 4X to my '03 2500 4X). Now the trailer sits WAAAAY up there - unfortunatley, I didnt take measurements, but its @8-10" higher. Over the weekend I towed it over the mountains and back. While towing, I could tell that the CG is up while cornering - but after I got comfortable with it, I didnt notice it anymore. Most of the issues came up while camping. I now need to buy a 4 step to replace the 2 step, and I need to look at additional stabilization. Right now all I have are two screw jacks in the rear, and a single BAL "between the tires" spreader, which was fairly stable prior to the "lift". Now, I'm thinking about adding a king pin stabilizer, and an additional tire spreader.

SO if your considering the dollars involved, be sure to consider additional steps and/or stailizers.



FWIW, my pin weight only compressed the springs 1 inch, and I still have about a 2" difference in height from front to back, with 8" of bed to trailer clearance. Tire heat seemed consistent between the front and rear sets, so I think that a slight "up" attitude is OK.



I've only towed it once with it lifted, and even with the 8" of bed clearance I have, I've come precariously close to hitting several times. You guys that only have 4-6" are, IMHO, living on the edge!!



I do now have the opportunity to add TONS of "Basement" storage... . I'm already concepting a flip out deck..... !!!!!

 

[Ian]

Weights

Before I lowered the rear of my truck 1. 5", I hooked up to the 5th wheel, filled the water tank, had full propane, and filled the truck with diesel.

Next I headed to the scales and had all four axles weighed individually. I was concerned with the nose up attitude of the trailer that the rear axle might be carrying too much weight.

As it turned out, with a four inch difference between front and rear of the trailer, the front axle was carrying about 100 lb more than the rear.

FWIW.

 

[GRusche]

"basement" storage!

JThiessen:



Would be interested to see/read about what you come up with for storage in that area-after flipping the axles and realizing that I now can crawl around under my camper without stifling myself I have been thinking about the same thing-especially for light but bulky items like chairs, the indoor/outdoor carpet, maybe even a fold-down table. It looks like I should be able to rig something up that fits between the main box beams and at least 4 or 5 feet back. My only question is height-I was thinking it's possible to go as low as 6-8" on mine and not run into problems.



Just got done installing the brake controller last night and my wife is bugging me to go camping-I haven't figured out a stabilizer jack solution for the rear end yet! Always in a hurry

Guy

 

[TGRISH]

5er tooooo high

RON, I HAVE A 96 SLT XCAB AND 4X4 IHAVE A STARCRAFT 35FT

I HAD TO HAVE THE AXLES FLIPPED OVER TO HAVE THE LEVEL OF THE 5ER AND THE RAM TO SOME SORT OF EQUALLITY

COST ABOUT $375 AT AN RV DEALER.