How level when towing

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.