truck to tall in rear

[ALE8-1]

I have a 2000 4x4 auto and it sits 4 inches taller in back than my Dads 2000 Chevy,and I wanted to use his 29 foot 5th wheel but he said my truck was to tall so I went to the steeler with TSB 02-001-01 to lower it 1 7/8 but they said it would cost 790. 00 I will not pay that for it,and they said I would have to remove camper special leaf springs to. I do not understand this. Will the 4 inches taller effect how it tows. Does anybody have any suggestions trying to get ready for spring.

ALE8-1

 

[Kimrey]

Have you tried hooking up to it to see if its too low. I have a 30 fiver I hook to my truck ( see sig ) and pull all the time. You can adjust the pin box. There should be 4 bolts in the box to where you can raise or lower if needed. I don't see why you can't pull it. It also depends on who the manufactor is and what size tires the camper has. Mine has the 16 wheels which makes it taller. You need about a hand and half to fit between the camper and bed. I hope this helps.

 

[CRuD]

I AM NOT AN EXPERT

I have been told that the trailer should be as close to level when hooked to the truck to apply equal load to the trailer axles. I would come back with this reply: I have equalizers on the axles to share the weight, so why? I think it is better on all the "stuff" inside the camper.



I pull mine just a little nose high. As Scott said the 6 inches of bed clearence is VERY IMPORTANT. You will be surprized on how much the truck and camper twist. It is not a problem going down the road it is only in drive ways, camp grounds and stuff like that.



Depending on what type 5er hitch you have you may be able to get some clearence from there as well.



I suggest you hook up to the 5er and measure your bed rail clearence and how level the trailer sits. I think you will find that the truck will only sit down about and inch with the 5er on it.

You must maintain your 6 inches of bed rail clearance. If you have more than move the pin box as Scott talked about.

Hope this helps. It works for me.

See Ya

Chris

 

[Paul Somers]

If you do decide to pull with nose high, make sure you have 6" clearance between tail gate and under side of 5er. Saw a fellow pulling way nose high back into site that was up an incline and then leveled off. Tail gate hit under side of 5er. Pulling nose high shifts more 5er weight to rear axels and most 5ers don't have any extra weight carrying capacity. Nose high also makes rear of 5er more easily drug pulling into service stations with dip in drive.

Some of the newer 5ers now have jake plates on springs. Height of 5er is adjustable about four inches up and down. Mine does. Look at signature. Others have it also.

 

[GRudy]

option

I personally don't like this idea but a freind did it to his 2001 dually. He had 2 or 3" cut off of the spring blocks, you know, the cast block between the axle and the leaf springs. Made the empty truck sit more level and he didn't have to disturb the camper springs either.

 

[BigMike]

I pull a 30' 5er with my 4x4. Problem is, my 5er is level, but my truck isn't. Drops about 3". So, I'm gonna add air bags to level my truck, which will put my 5er nose up and mess up my clearance. If I adjust the hitch or kingpin, I'll loose my clearance. Barely have 6" now. So the only option I have is to raise the trailer. That's what I plan on doing this winter oooor, buy a new 5er that fits my truck or make the dealer make it fit. I see many 5ers have adjustments to make them fit 4x4's. When they're already 12'6" in the air, what's another 3 or 4 inches?

 

[georgej]

Ale8-1



Some 5th wheels come with an adjustable axle plate to raise or



lower the trailer to match the tow rig. I think it's called a jake



plate!





Georgej

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I lowered my 2001 4x4 and my 2002 4x4 2-1/2". Drove 2001 35,000 miles with quite a bit of it towing 5th wheel trailer - no problems.



Driven the 2002 300 miles towing 5th wheel trailer with no problems.



Pictures of 2002 lowered 2-1/2"

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Second picture of 2002 4x4

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Picture of 2001 4x4

 

[Boondocker]

Height Lowering TSB 02-001-01

Jumbo Jet, did you lower your truck via this TSB or some other way?



I was at the dealer this morning for an alignment and inquired about the Height Lowering TSB 02-001-01. He quoted me $700 for parts and $200 for labor. Needless to say, this mod's on hold. I can see the labor charge, but $700 for parts? I think we're talking about lift blocks and U-bolts here, that sounds like $100 worth of parts to me.



I pull a small, 1-axle travel trailer that only wears 14" wheels and am concerned about a long drop-down hitch. Looks like I'll spend $200 and get a hitch to match the trailer instead of $900 to lower the truck to match the trailer. I've lifted - replaced or modified - the suspension on every 4x4 I've owned. The thought of lowering this one is very weird. I guess that's a difference of finally owning a REAL Truck!



I sure would be interested in finding some parts source options for this job. I'm sure I could do the work myself anyway.



Regards,

Neil Winnemore

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Replaced factory u-bolts with set I had built at spring shop. I replaced the 5" factory blocks with 2-1/2" blocks I built out of solid 4" wide steel. A little drilling and spot welding.



I'll post pictures tomorrow.

 

[KMeek]

Jumbo Jet--Thanks for your posts and GREAT pics! But I am confused a bit. My measurements don't make sense compared to yours. Front wheel well measures 39 3/4". Rear wheel well is 41 1/4" and rear tailgate height is 57 3/4".



My 98 Dodge QC had a tailgate height of @ 55". The new 2 3/4" height makes a big difference with my 5th wheel so I have also struggled with this issue. I need more room for my 5th wheel too. So, am very interested in excruciating details of your home grown remedy. Thanks for your help!

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Picture of plan

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Picture of actual truck -

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Man at spring shop said he had seen some lowering blocks made from rectangular steel tubing that had collapsed under a load. That is why I used solid blocks.



Another picture -

 

[KKaiser]

Why do you have drum brakes on a 2002?



Kent

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Those are pictures from my early model 2001.

 

[CharlieMiller]

Jumbo Jet so why did you replace the 01 cause it was dirty underneath? Just kidding

 

[canblue]

I was at the dealer getting my oil sending switch replaced :{ and inquired about the lowering kit. They did not know what was in the kit or had any requests for it. They indicated that I would have to order the kit to find out what is involved. :--) Does anyone have a copy of the installation instructions? Parts ? Can you send them via private mail incase there is a legal problem with public posting?

If the package is not too complicated maybe a good local shop could duplicate the fix.