Reversing spring over on trailer - towing characteristics

[Deleted member 995608]

When we bought our fifthwheel TH, I had no other choice but to put the axles below the springs to gain clearance between the truck bed and bottom of the trailer. The spring over added about 6 + inches.



Anyway, my current truck will get a flatbed and so will my new truck that I plan to purchase in the near future. My point is, I will no longer have the clearance issues and I want to lower the trailer back down to a normal height.



My question is - Besides having to be more carefull of the tail dragging the ground, lower overall height and possible reduced wind drag, what else can I expect to gain or loose from reversing the spring over?



I'm hoping it will tow better because the overall center of gravity will reduce. Maybe I'm just blowing wind up my skirt :-laf

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Sounds reasonable. Also, many trailer axles are bowed in the middle so under load the camber is just where you want it. If yours are, then rotating them 180 degrees when you put them back over the springs should help even more.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I think the biggest advantage to lowering will be less air drag and more stabiliy as you have already pointed out bg

 

[Ram4Sam]

One thing to consider if the toyhauler is big... . with the springs sitting on top of the axles, the weight of the trailer is carried by the leaf springs sitting on top of the axles. All the u-bolts have to do is keep things together and aligned, not much load on the u-bolts, the load sits on top of the axles. With the axle above the springs, the u-bolts have to hold the axle to the leaf springs, the bolts are carrying the load/weight of the trailer. As far as wind resistance, since your trailer is already, at around 12ft high, way up there, I doubt another six inches will matter... ...



Sam

 

[Slow Six]

I towed my previous 5th. wheel with spring under and changed to to spring over for clearance. I was concerned about doing the conversion but after towing it I did not see any difference in towing characteristics. In my opinion I don't think you would see any real difference unless the reduced height would make your rig easier to use.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'm on the fence with this. I remember when we bought it and when we actually picked it up from the dealer and noticed how much taller it was after the conversion. Right now, its sits at 13' 1" from ground to top of highest A/C unit.

I'm stuck on lower center of gravity is better idea. Not really sure if its worth the cost to lower or not.

 

[DClark]

Lower CG should make it corner better. As tall as your trailer is that could be significant in hiway handeling.
DClark