Lowering my truck

[AH64ID]

You're not going to get the truck to drop 5" without major modifications to the front and rear. Even 2WD trucks won't be 5" lower at the 5th wheel plate, so it sounds like the trailer needs adjustments. There are different pin boxes and other adjustments that can be made.

Have you measured the difference in frame height from the front to the rear of the trailer? That will give you a good indication of just how far off of level you are.

You are likely going to need to adjust the truck and trailer to get it to ride level. Personally I'd work more on the trailer.

 

[Whitewolf]

AH64- Yeah, you're right. I need to do a little to both. I'm already at minimum clearance between bed rail and underside of 5r. I've measured and been thinking of solutions for awhile. I'm going to change up those spacers in the back this spring. Can't do it now because I didn't bring the right tools with me. Only the bare necessities. As I was thinking about this last night, I remembered I had reinstalled Timbrins last summer. I have the tools to take them out today. That should help a lot.

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah ditch the Timbren’s for sure. I’ve never been a fan of those.

 

[SnoKing]

AH64- Yeah, you're right. I need to do a little to both. I'm already at minimum clearance between bed rail and underside of 5r. I've measured and been thinking of solutions for awhile. I'm going to change up those spacers in the back this spring. Can't do it now because I didn't bring the right tools with me. Only the bare necessities. As I was thinking about this last night, I remembered I had reinstalled Timbrins last summer. I have the tools to take them out today. That should help a lot.

If you have at least 33" center to center on the trailer axles, then I would:
1. Loose the Timbrins
2. Move the spaces to top of spring pack. A spring shop could do that in one hour most likely.
3. Install Sailun S367 235/85R16G tires on the trailer. This does two things, raises the trailer a bit and adds a whole bunch of stability and tire reliability.
4. If you still need a little more, install the Correct Track.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Let the weight of the RV push down on the stock springs WITHOUT the Timber's! You want your truck to set basically level with the RV attached. That way you are riding on the overloads and will give you the best ride and stability.

Look at how SnoKing's truck sets with load on. LOOKS perfect in my book. Here is mine with FULL 9,750# RAW.

I am 13' 5" to top of AC just to right of pic edge over bedroom. You should have 6" bed clearance.

 

[Whitewolf]

Timbrins are out. Had to buy metric wrenches 'cause I only had American Standard with me. We're leaving tomorrow morning for the last leg of our trip south for a week, then back home. I looked and I have 3 spacer plates. I measured and that'll give me up to 1 1/4. As I said above, I have the tools to swap them around but I can't until spring.

 

[Ozymandias]

Smaller tires is an option for the truck?

 

[AH64ID]

I was also thinking about your difference in height from the brochure... normally weights aren't accurate but height is. So I pulled up the specs on your trailer and the 2nd AC is listed as optional and optional equipment isn't generally included in the specs for height/weight. I'll be that's where the added height comes into play.

Have you measured the frame to the ground at the front/rear when hooked up to see how far off level you really are?

1.25" at the suspension won't add too much to the AC, so it's probably worth doing if needed. If the distance from the kingpin is 20' then a 1.25" lift would only lift the roof 5'aft of the kingpin, guessing on AC location, just under 1/3".

 

[Cummins12V98]

Hook your RV, take a pic from the side on FLAT ground. Measure frame to ground front and back of RV. Measure gap at bed to RV.

Do this BEFORE removing anything else!

 

[SnoKing]

The pictures of the 2014 305RL I found show lots of room to go with 235/85R16G tires. SnoKing

 

[AH64ID]

Smaller tires is an option for the truck?

I was curious how much of a difference that might make so I looked at the Ram charts for baselines.

In 2014 with 275/70R18's the "liftover" height, top of tailgate, is listed at 59.3" and 2wd is listed as 58.6"..hardly any difference.

The 2011 with 265/70R17 lists that height as 57.1".

It seems that there is more at play on the 13+ 3500's than just tire height.

Anyhow, on the OE 18" rim a 265/70R18 seems like the only smaller option, but you do lose a little weight capacity at 115lbs/tire. You also would only drop the bed above the axle 1/3".


I did peek at my auto-level liftover height and it's 57.6".

The pictures of the 2014 305RL I found show lots of room to go with 235/85R16G tires. SnoKing

Certainly a good option, but for .4" gain in trailer height I am not sure I would do it before needing new tires.

 

[SnoKing]

Certainly a good option, but for .4" gain in trailer height I am not sure I would do it before needing new tires.

Along with a .4" which might be more with an all steel ply tires greater static ride height vs a wet rag ST poly tire, comes much better stability.

 

[Whitewolf]

Ozy- Tires are stock and I'd like to keep it that way.
AH64- Yeah, the A/C was added a couple of years ago. Good point.
Cummins 12V- I'll make a frame to ground measurement when we get to the next campground before unhooking. We're currently on gravel. The next one is paved. I did that once a couple of years ago, but can't remember what it was.
Snoking- Your option 4 would be my next step. Once I get closer to level things should settle down. I can always go to option 3 with Sailun or Goodyear. I can't see replacing them now with 85R's for 1/2 inch.

 

[slowmover]

Hook your RV, take a pic from the side on FLAT ground. Measure frame to ground front and back of RV. Measure gap at bed to RV.

Do this BEFORE removing anything else!

Cat Scale

.

 

[Whitewolf]

Did a Cat Scale the last fall. Nothing out of the ordinary. I'd post the stats but they're at home. Loosing the Timbrins helped a bunch. I've got an appointment Thursday to have Correct Track installed. We'll se what happens after that.

 

[slowmover]

A scale is a PERFECTLY flat surface. Accurate measurement

 

[Whitewolf]

Gotcha. I had the Correct Track installed a couple of hours from home and it pulled great. Even in the slush and snow. Nearest Cat Scale is 3 hrs south.