Need more clearance between truck bed rail and bottom of 5th wheel. About 4" at present and that is not enough. Thought, if I was careful, I could avoid any damage but tired, impatient and cars parked where they shouldn't be soon changed that. 2 dents in new truck in last month. No one to blame but myself. DW is chuffed as she was 1st to dent the last truck!! Its a truck so it is supposed to be worked.Talked to trl guy and he can do flip. Pretty sure of pros but what about cons? He tells me that manoeuvers will be harder on parts due to higher center of gravity. Should I be reinforcing some parts? How about adding shocks while it is in the shop? Any likelihood of stability problems?What experience have you had with this procedure? Changing truck is not an option and We really like present trl, small but layout works well for us.

Are you sure your axle is currently above the springs? Because by 2004, most fivers were already spring over axle.Whether it is or not, you still have to lift the trailer for safe clearance over the bed. It is just a matter of how that will be done.There aren't any negatives to doing that to be concerned with. Your center of gravity will be higher. You might need an extra step at your entrance door, either a new box step set, or else a step stool on the ground. Going higher will add stress to the spring hangers. If it is done right that won't be a problem. You will be pretty much recreating what all newer trailers have.The key will be finding a shop that you trust to know how to do it right.

I have done several trailers that way over the years. Dexter has a flip kit to do the job without welding on the axle if you choose. That first step will be a tuff until you get used to it, or put on another step

As for center of gravity. Go look at any of the new 5th wheels and you will find the floor and center of gravity way higher than yours before or after you do the axle change.I had an older Jayco Eagle 5th wheel that had the spring perches added to the top of the axle. Never had any handling problems.

You might be ahead looking for a shop that does Over-The-Road trailer suspension work and repairs. They have better welders and more experienced spring specialists than RV places ever thought of.

moll672 wrote:Need more clearance between truck bed rail and bottom of 5th wheel. About 4" at present and that is not enough. Thought, if I was careful, I could avoid any damage but tired, impatient and cars parked where they shouldn't be soon changed that. 2 dents in new truck in last month. No one to blame but myself. DW is chuffed as she was 1st to dent the last truck!! Its a truck so it is supposed to be worked.Talked to trl guy and he can do flip. Pretty sure of pros but what about cons? He tells me that manoeuvers will be harder on parts due to higher center of gravity. Should I be reinforcing some parts? How about adding shocks while it is in the shop? Any likelihood of stability problems?What experience have you had with this procedure? Changing truck is not an option and We really like present trl, small but layout works well for us.I just added a 1.5" lift to my trailer. Prime Time had a similar lift done to another model trailer for a warranty issue and they added a cross-member support to the frame to stiffen it up due to the change in center of gravity. Mor/Ryde X-factor Cross memberLike one of the other guys posting just suggested, I used a company that does suspension work on big vehicles (buses, dump trucks, diesels, as well as smaller trailers). They said they never add a cross member for 5th wheel lifts, they just lift them and all is well. I added the cross member when I did my lift just because the manufacturer did on their lift.(My trailer was already setup with the axle under the springs so I only had the lift as an option. The RV dealer wouldn't do a lift, so I had to go elsewhere.)

Axle flip for 22ft 5th wheel | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

Wet_Coast
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
I did the axle flip on my 19.5' Okanagan. Then went to largest 14" tires. That was fine with the Chev. Got the Dodge and first time out, smacked the box. Back to my fabricator. We jacked the trailer high enough. plasma cutter to cut the spring hangers off. Then welded a 2X4X7' piece of 3/16 tubing to each of the frame rails. Then reattached the spring hangers it took an afternoon. Trailer now a foot over stock.
http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/rickcoles/library/
Fabbed up a bracket for a set of 4 step scissor camper stairs.
moll672
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Looks like I didn't check what I was posting. Try again
moll672
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Here are after pics for axle flip and increased clearance to pick up side rails. Hopefully this is now enough.
Also pic of new saddles that were made for axle.
Had 'bolted to frame' tow hitch added as well and installed bike rack.
Would be appreciative of comments on how well you think this may or may not work.
Work, including taxes, just under $600. Thought that was very good.

e rails.
moll672
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
Here's another, now that I have found an easy way to post pics.
moll672
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
Thought I would try and add a photo of rig as before pic. Going for axle swap tomorrow
moll672
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
Looked at photo of truck and trl. Realised back end is too low. Hopefully axle work will add 4" and, fingers crossed, everything will line up just right. I will try and post before and after pics. Truck handbook does recommend at least 6" of clearance to box rails, guess they really mean it!!
d-mac1
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
To the OP. Go for it! If your step is an issue, simply put a small portable plastic step or something in the TV.

My axles were already flipped and I too needed more clearance. I've got almost 8" now. I had ours lifted by our dealer. They fabbed a subframe out of 2" square tube steel with cross members for rigidity. Best $1k I ever spent. Woulda had a clearance problem leaving a campsite just a few months later.

In addition to clearance, my trailer was running nose high, so I wanted to level it. Will yours run nose low after the flip? If so, lift your truck! I can't lift my truck or I'm back where I started, but I'd like to.
easycamper
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
My fiver came with shocks from the factory, so I don't have a before and after comparison. But it tows much more smoothly than the previous fiver we had without them. Much easier on the trailer and contents.
attuco
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
I've done two (24 ft. and 26 ft. ) myself using the Dexter kit. It's easy if you have the jacks. No problems whatsoever. Steps are higher but still manageable.
Njmurvin
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2014
Lots of positives. I haven't really noticed any issues with handling or top-heaviness. I like how I can drive it up over my curb to get it into my parking area without concern. I also like how the low stuff (dump valves, etc.) are a little higher (nicer on the back). But, one downside is the entry steps. That last step is a doozy. Consider a new set of steps designed for the height or use a platform at the bottom to ease that first step.

Forum Discussion

Axle flip for 22ft 5th wheel

17 Replies

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Disadvantages of flipping trailer axles?

Flipping Axle

Flipping Axles

Flipping my axle!

Flipping axle mounts