Forum Discussion

rrwantr's avatar
rrwantr
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014

Leveling new 5th wheel..

Purchased a 2014 Jayco 27.5bhs Eagle HT last Friday. TV is a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 SB CC CTD. Has stock wheels etc. Installed a BW companion slider with turnoverball. The hitch is at its lowest setting. The king pin can only be lowered 1 inch it looks like. Axles are flipped all ready. I don't think I'll be able to get this level without putting some blocks above the axle. .. Surprised with a stock truck. Am I thinking right?

20 Replies

  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    rrwantr wrote:
    laknox wrote:
    rrwantr wrote:
    Purchased a 2014 Jayco 27.5bhs Eagle HT last Friday. TV is a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 SB CC CTD. Has stock wheels etc. Installed a BW companion slider with turnoverball. The hitch is at its lowest setting. The king pin can only be lowered 1 inch it looks like. Axles are flipped all ready. I don't think I'll be able to get this level without putting some blocks above the axle. .. Surprised with a stock tre'suck. Am I thinking right?


    Double-check your spring hangars. You may have some adjustment there, too.

    Lyle


    Didn't see any adjustment there. :(


    Looks like time for a sub frame! I would never block the axles more than 1".
  • been through this many times! these newer trucks are quite a bit higher than the previous ones, with deeper boxes to boot! which put is in a horrible situation MOST times. We got lucky with our 2013 Laredo and it was essentially perfectly level for my 2012 duramax dually.

    Having said that I had to lift our previous triple E topaz luxury edition to make it level. It would surprise you just how much lift you will need to make it sit level with your truck, I would think your looking at, atleast 6" of lift to get it close. As far as I am concerned you should have AS MUCH bed rail clearance as possible, were sitting at 9" of clearance right now and its still touch and go at times. Youll have to have a weld shop make up a sub frame for you and then have the axles re-mounted to it. Being a welder I did my own on our triple E, used 2" x 6" x 3/16" thick rectangular tubing welded directly to the flange of the existing frame I-beam, with 2"x2"x1/4" square tubing cross members in an X configuration to prevent twisting/flex.

    Its just my personal preference but I am an absolute freak when it comes to towing level, ill spend hours tweaking to make sure its as close as humanly possible, that goes for the boat on behind the camper too!
  • btd35 wrote:
    With a 4 X 4 and those larger wheel on the truck, against the small wheels on the trailer is your problem. You'll gain some, with adjustment on the pin, and hitch, but you won't get there without blocks or different wheels and tire. Not sure I would do that.
    I have the same problem but not the same out of level as your's. Had mine across the country several times. 2 inches down on the front of mine get's it level. I chose not to do it and keep the rail clearance. Hasn't been a problem. Tire wear is fine, although my RorRyde suspension makes it work. I have come within 1" of hitting getting out of a gas station once even with the clearance I have.
    Larger wheels and tires maybe,... At this point, what is the height you need to lower the front, or raise the axles?

    Thing is, these are stock 17" wheels with stock 265s. Not large wheels or tires compares to the new truck stock wheels and tires. Brother just bought a 2014 Ram 2500 and it came stock with 18s and 275s. Sits a decent amount higher than my Ram. The Jayco has the morryde too. Not sure on total needed. Haven't had time to measure it yet.
    I agree I want to keep as much clearance as possible.
  • With a 4 X 4 and those larger wheel on the truck, against the small wheels on the trailer is your problem. You'll gain some, with adjustment on the pin, and hitch, but you won't get there without blocks or different wheels and tire. Not sure I would do that.
    I have the same problem but not the same out of level as your's. Had mine across the country several times. 2 inches down on the front of mine get's it level. I chose not to do it and keep the rail clearance. Hasn't been a problem. Tire wear is fine, although my RorRyde suspension makes it work. I have come within 1" of hitting getting out of a gas station once even with the clearance I have.
    Larger wheels and tires maybe,... At this point, what is the height you need to lower the front, or raise the axles?
  • wirenutz wrote:
    Have you raised the pin box ?
    That's what I meant when I said lower the king pin 1". I can only raise the pin box 1 hole which looks about an inch.
  • laknox wrote:
    rrwantr wrote:
    Purchased a 2014 Jayco 27.5bhs Eagle HT last Friday. TV is a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 SB CC CTD. Has stock wheels etc. Installed a BW companion slider with turnoverball. The hitch is at its lowest setting. The king pin can only be lowered 1 inch it looks like. Axles are flipped all ready. I don't think I'll be able to get this level without putting some blocks above the axle. .. Surprised with a stock tre'suck. Am I thinking right?


    Double-check your spring hangars. You may have some adjustment there, too.

    Lyle


    Didn't see any adjustment there. :(
  • rthibodaux wrote:
    How high is the camper from the truck bed, it seems high from the picture, you might be able to lower the king pin bracket.


    That's the 1" i mentioned that I could gain.
  • rrwantr wrote:
    Purchased a 2014 Jayco 27.5bhs Eagle HT last Friday. TV is a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 SB CC CTD. Has stock wheels etc. Installed a BW companion slider with turnoverball. The hitch is at its lowest setting. The king pin can only be lowered 1 inch it looks like. Axles are flipped all ready. I don't think I'll be able to get this level without putting some blocks above the axle. .. Surprised with a stock truck. Am I thinking right?


    Double-check your spring hangars. You may have some adjustment there, too. See post #5 here: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24706560.cfm.

    Lyle
  • How high is the camper from the truck bed, it seems high from the picture, you might be able to lower the king pin bracket.