Lower rear end on 2003 drw

[HBrink]

I need to drop the height of bed of my truck (2003 DRW) about 1 to 2 inches so that my trailer rides more level. Even with that drop it will still look like it is going uphill. Will I have trouble with the dealer if I take out a couple of spacers on the rear axle??? Has anyone else done this?



Thanks,

Harry

 

[klenger]

There is a TSB to drop the back end of the 01's and 02's. I had mine dune under warranty. You might check to see if they have one for the 03's.

 

[Cj84gpn]

HB

I've been contemplating the same thing. Need to load up my unit first to see how much the truck squats. If that goes well, I intend to re-arrange DC's spring pack. Take the 2 spacer "leaves" out from under the main leaf pack and transplant them to the top of the main leaf pack, thus keeping the overload leaves at the same dimension to their rests. Nothing will change in the suspension, but it will net you an inch lowered rear.



This what you're thinking?

 

[HBrink]

Yes, that is exactly what I had contemplated. That way I have the least amount of reconfiguration to have done and can have my trailer ride better. As it is it looks like it is going "up hill" on the back of my truck.



Thanks for the tip.



Harry

 

[RMcCulloch]

Originally posted by HBrink

I need to drop the height of bed of my truck (2003 DRW) about 1 to 2 inches so that my trailer rides more level. Even with that drop it will still look like it is going uphill. Will I have trouble with the dealer if I take out a couple of spacers on the rear axle??? Has anyone else done this?



Thanks,

Harry

If you have the spare capacity, why not go with a cross-bed transfer or auxiliary fuel tank?



With the fuel aboard, you'll get additional tailgate drop.



You may also get to bypass a fuel stop or two.



BTW, what's the pin weight on your trailer?

 

[HBrink]

My bed already has a toolbox installed, a Weatherguard model 684, that takes up most of the space available so a fuel tank is not an option for me as I need the storage space for my golf clubs!! The trailer is a 35 foot Alpenlite that weighs about 14,000# when loaded for a trip and the pin weight is about 2450#. I measured it on a weight control scale along the freeway. (I retired from the State Patrol. ).



I have contacted my dealer and have asked him to do some research and see if he can locate a TSB to lower the rear end by moving some of the spacers over the rear axle.



Take care,

Harry

 

[RMcCulloch]

Harry,



A few more questions, if you don't mind.



1. Have the axles been "flipped" on your trailer? If not, you might wish to look into this.



2. How much bed rail clearance do you have? If you can spare it, you might look into lowering the hitch head.



When I was shopping for my 5er, my main consideration was the rail clearance. With 40# pressure in the EasyRider's air bags, I wound up with a level truck and a level trailer.



[The Montana's axles had already been "flipped". ]