Forum Discussion

dryfly's avatar
dryfly
Explorer
May 07, 2019

How level when towing

I'm looking at a new 5th wheel to replace my current trailer. I did some frame work on my current trailer and got it perfectly level when hooked to my truck.

This is a 30 ft. trailer I'm looking at, and when measured from ground to frame, there is a 1 1/2 to 2" difference between the front and rear. The front being higher. Measurement made while trailer hooked up to truck. Bed rail clearance is great at about 8".

There is only 4 1/2" of wheel well clearance from top of tire so changing to 16" wheels won't work.

Is this difference enough to justify modifying the springs, hangers, etc? ? What is the max differential that is acceptable.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 08, 2019
    TTs and 5ers that aren’t level traveling down the road look funny, and when they stop for a break or lunch, it isn’t comfortable for the RVers or the fridge.
  • Super_Dave's avatar
    Super_Dave
    Explorer
    May 08, 2019
    What is your tow vehicle? I lowered my truck by 1 1/2” by removing the spring spacers at the rear axle. Done by a shop for under $200.
  • byronlj's avatar
    byronlj
    Explorer
    May 08, 2019
    With 8" of bed rail clearance, I would drop the hitch down 1 notch and see what happens.
  • dryfly's avatar
    dryfly
    Explorer
    May 08, 2019
    Super_Dave wrote:
    What is your tow vehicle? I lowered my truck by 1 1/2” by removing the spring spacers at the rear axle. Done by a shop for under $200.


    Ram 2500 2 wheel drive. Lowering my truck would be my last preference.
  • dryfly's avatar
    dryfly
    Explorer
    May 08, 2019
    byronlj wrote:
    With 8" of bed rail clearance, I would drop the hitch down 1 notch and see what happens.


    This would certainly be the easiest and probably by dropping 1 - 2" would level the trailer. I'm just used to enjoying 8 1/2" bed rail clearance and on occasions I needed that much.

    Again, my real question is *how level* does the trailer need to be??
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    May 08, 2019
    "Again, my real question is *how level* does the trailer need to be??"


    Need to be...most consider 1-2 inches nose high acceptable. I tow about an inch or so nose-high, no issue. Many things can make one persons experience better than another's, at the same height. I would lower my hitch another inch if I could. I am about 6.5 inches of bed clearance. Not sure why you need so much, but 8"s is normally not needed.

    Jerry
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    May 08, 2019
    There is only 4 1/2" of wheel well clearance from top of tire so changing to 16" wheels won't work.
    Thats a lot of top clearance for a std leaf spring trailer suspension. My current 5th wheel trailer/5200 ln leaf spring axles, has 2 3/4" to 3" top of tire clearance.
    Also every 5th wheel rv trailer I've owned (3) had 5"-6" of clearance which was plenty unless your boon dockin in the back country.
    2" out of level front to rear in 30' isn't much. I would make a couple of trips and then I would decide if any leveling or changes in the trailer front to rear attitude needs help.
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    May 08, 2019
    dryfly wrote:
    I'm looking at a new 5th wheel to replace my current trailer. I did some frame work on my current trailer and got it perfectly level when hooked to my truck.

    This is a 30 ft. trailer I'm looking at, and when measured from ground to frame, there is a 1 1/2 to 2" difference between the front and rear. The front being higher. Measurement made while trailer hooked up to truck. Bed rail clearance is great at about 8".

    There is only 4 1/2" of wheel well clearance from top of tire so changing to 16" wheels won't work.

    Is this difference enough to justify modifying the springs, hangers, etc? ? What is the max differential that is acceptable.

    The whole level from front to back thing is about having equal weight on you trailer axles.
    Time to do some math.
    30 foot trailer- break it into inches (30 x 12) it is 360 inches long.
    Difference front to rear 2 inches. Change per inch on the trailer 2 / 360 = .00555 inches.
    Distance between axles, I'll assume 60 inches, times change per inch. 60 x .00555 = .333 inch. or about 5/16 of an inch difference in frame height between the axles.
    I'm sure your equaflex or similar axle leveling system can cover just over a quarter inch difference in weight transfer between the axles.
  • alboy's avatar
    alboy
    Explorer
    May 08, 2019
    Ipulled our 36 ft fiver at approx 5 1/2 inches nose high ,back tires ran hotter,changed to 2 inch nose high ,pulled great and no issues with the rear tires.Thought it would be even better level,but found in heavy winds it moved around more.
  • dryfly's avatar
    dryfly
    Explorer
    May 08, 2019
    schlep1967 wrote:
    dryfly wrote:
    I'm looking at a new 5th wheel to replace my current trailer. I did some frame work on my current trailer and got it perfectly level when hooked to my truck.

    This is a 30 ft. trailer I'm looking at, and when measured from ground to frame, there is a 1 1/2 to 2" difference between the front and rear. The front being higher. Measurement made while trailer hooked up to truck. Bed rail clearance is great at about 8".

    There is only 4 1/2" of wheel well clearance from top of tire so changing to 16" wheels won't work.

    Is this difference enough to justify modifying the springs, hangers, etc? ? What is the max differential that is acceptable.

    The whole level from front to back thing is about having equal weight on you trailer axles.
    Time to do some math.
    30 foot trailer- break it into inches (30 x 12) it is 360 inches long.
    Difference front to rear 2 inches. Change per inch on the trailer 2 / 360 = .00555 inches.
    Distance between axles, I'll assume 60 inches, times change per inch. 60 x .00555 = .333 inch. or about 5/16 of an inch difference in frame height between the axles.
    I'm sure your equaflex or similar axle leveling system can cover just over a quarter inch difference in weight transfer between the axles.


    Thank you. I knew there had to be a math equation that would put this in perspective. I can't imagine how 5/16 of an inch with axle leveling system could present a problem.

    One solution of course would be to weigh the trailer (each axle), or to simply check the temperature of the front/rear tires when traveling. I would think if overloaded temps would rise significantly.

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