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.

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.

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.

With 8" of bed rail clearance, I would drop the hitch down 1 notch and see what happens.

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.

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??

How level when towing | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

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.
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.
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.
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
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??
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.
byronlj
Explorer
May 08, 2019
With 8" of bed rail clearance, I would drop the hitch down 1 notch and see what happens.
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.
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.

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How level when towing

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