Raising the 5th wheel to match the truck

[JSoloman]

HELP!! I'm stuck on what to do about raising the trailer to be level with the truck. As you can see, I've put a 2" front end leveler on the truck itself, to at least make the truck bed be reasonably level. The springs were flipped at the factory to help raise the trailer up some. I haven't actually measured the difference, but it appears to be about 3-4" higher in the front than the back bumper, once its all hitched.



I'm running 205's, which came on the trailer new when I bought it 2 years ago. Would going with 225's or ? be the way to go or would going with blocks and longer U-bolts be the answer? maybe both?



I've ignored this til now. I read Southbound's post about axle problems and it got me concerned. Not to mention the trip I just came back from. . along the coast line and fighting the head winds. Any and all advice would be well received. I find I had better do something about this before something does decide to give and break.

 

[HEYBOSS]

Well, since no one responded, I will give it a shot. First I think flipping the axles may the wrong way about it. What you might want to do is cut the shackles from the trailer frame, weld a 2# channel on the frame and reweld the shackles. Another thing you can do is if your trailer tires and wheels are 15" go to 16". Also I think dodge came out with a kit to lower your truck's suspension. Please don't hold me down on these suggestions, I'm no expert, but these are ideas I've read or seen elsewhere with similar problems as yours. Also are you aware that the trailer hitch and fifth wheel may have some adjustments? food for tought, good luck.

 

[JSoloman]

Thanks for the tips. I have had the suggestion about going to 16". As for lowering the truck suspension, I live for em to be tall, so the trailer will have to have the changes. Anyone else out there some ideas. This can't be an isolated problem. As a matter of fact, I ran into a Chevy with a 6" lift pulling a Tahoe that the guy had raised to match. A little extreme for my blood, but at least it wasn't running down the road at an angle!

 

[mbrolin]

I tend to agree that welding tubing to the versus flipping axles. My 01 Holiday Rambler needs another 3" of height. I will be doing this by putting a 2x6 tube in place of the 2x3 which is welded to the bottom of the frame. BTW,I would take it to a reputable welding shop to do this.

 

[DJOliver]

I had the local shop install 3" blocks and add longer U bolts to my trailer. Never had any trouble with this set up. I check them each time i go camping at the same time i check lug nuts and tire pressure.

 

[CBALLA]

I have a 30 ft. Layton 5th that I pull with a 2500 4x4 QC LB.



I took it to the Layton dealer when I got the truck and they



flipped the axels. Trailer is level and pulls fine.

 

[JSoloman]

The 3" blocks and U bolts you refer to, are they like the block lifts we use to do on the old pickups? If thats the case, I could do that myself easy enough. Was there any welding involved?



I've got a friend who works for a suspension shop in town that I'm going to talk with also. I did price out 16 wheels and tires. I'm a bit concerned about enough clearance only going this route.

 

[DJOliver]

Yes the blocks where similar to the blocks that you are refering to. After all was said and done i had 6" clearance and i have a dually 4x4. I had to extend the wiring for the brakes to the axles as the shop left them to tight for my likes. In 4 years of traveling i have never had the blocks shift on me. I added my exhaust brake this year and they are well worth the money--work great and really have alot of stopping power.

 

[Runaway]

Let me see if I read your post right. A 27' 5ver. 205/15s for tires, axles flipped and your still 3 - 4" low at the rear of trailer. Are your sure they flipped the axles? Flipping axles should of give you about 5 - 6 inches more of height. The tail end of my 28' Jayco was about 6" lower than front before I did the Dexter Axle over/under slung conversion and it raised it up to where its level (6 inches). I'm running 225/15's and it appears we have about the same truck. I would go with blocks vs messing with the frame work if everything is the way you say. Just my thoughts.



Opps, just reread your signature, I have the 265/16s vs your 285s!

 

[Big John]

My axle swap gave me 6 inches as well. The 3" axle plus the thickness of the springs (about 2 inches), plus the spring saddle makes 6 inches. My trailer now sits perfectly level and tows so much better. I am also not wearing out the trailer jacks going up and down like a yoyo.



Your axle setup must be different than mine. The 6 inches I gained could be lowered as much as 3 inches by drilling new holes for the springs in the clips welded to the trailer. My clips are about 4 inched long now from trailer frame to center of hole. you may need to change out these to gain a few more inches.





Big John

 

[JSoloman]

Thanks for all the help guys.



I called the suspension shop where my friend works. This apparently is nothing new to them. The way they thought I should go, is to cut off the existing spring shackles and extend them. Since they've done a number of these, its a fairly quick and easy job and I will be back on the road. Now, to pull the trailer down there and get it done.



I would venture this to be a bit cheaper than the 16" wheels and tires!

 

[Turbo Thom]

J:

Be sure to have them weld a cross brace form shackle to shackle or when you turn a tight circle the twist may ring off the shackles. Remember you are getting taller and have less strenght in the taller shackles. I built equiptment trailers for 10 years and nearly all of them need the braces for that reason.

Just to save some pain($) down the road where there are no welding shops.

Preston

 

[JSoloman]

Thanks Preston,



I'll let them know that. The guy who will be doing the work has done over 60 Montanas in the last year and a half, that have busted when the axles get into a bind. Weak material from the factory. Knowing my 5th wheel is a Keystone brand, I have a hunch he'll reinforce what needs to be, to strengthen it up.

I will however make mention of it. I'm looking at a trip that will put me on 30 miles of graveled logging road, just full of washboard chatters. Most places top speed is 20 mph. I want to make sure everything stays in tact.



Jenny

 

[dewdo]

After I bought my truck it dawned on me that my 5th wheel was going to nee some adjustment since I didn't want to fool with making any changes on the truck because of resale value later on. I decided to have a 4" beam welded on to the frame of the trailer rasing it the necessary four inches to clear the bed of the truck and to ride level. Also the Firestone airbags helps in leveling when I am hooked to the trailer. I have the torqu-flex axles so I couldn't flip the springs.



Dewdo in the other Washington