Hi- I'm the proud recent owner of a 1993 21' 5th wheel, in excellent shape. 2 things- at some point, I believe someone has raised the rig, probably to gain ground clearance in the boonies. I'm a sealed road guy, and would like to lower it back to the original height. How hard is this to do?Second question- when towing, I can see play between the pin box and the sheet metal of the rig going down the road. I can't see any loose bolts in the pin box- should I be concerned?Comments welcomed.

How hard to lower is dependent on HOW it was raised.Also how much is needed.......does it tow level now when hitched to truck or is it 'tail high'?How much clearance between truck bed rail and overhang of trailer?Flip the axles (moved axle so leaf springs are on top of axle vs on bottom........then just reverse -----very easy if original spring perches on axle tube are still there)Moved location of leaf springs via hole in shackles..........very easy. Just move to upper holes.Added a sub-frame lift .......more difficult. Axle assemblies/suspension has to be dropped. Shackles have to be cut off sub-frame, sub-frame cut off trailer frame. Shackles welded back on trailer frame. Axle assemblies reinstalled and alignedPlay between pin box and sheet metal of rig.......could be pin box structure failure.With trailer unhitched......measure from a point on pin box straight up to a reference line on front caphitch up and remeasure same place.How much difference between hitched & unhitched measurements?More than 3/8" (MAX) you will need to remove overhang cover and inspect sub-structure for cracks. broken welds etc.Also hitch and unhitch while inspecting for movement.

Two comments stand out, first you suspect the trailer has been raised so the previous owner could traverse back roads, and you notice play between the pin box and the sheet metal. As old biscuit mentioned measure the travel since I suspect there is frame damage at that is why it was sold. Any question or problem in doing it, get a professional involved before there is a real problem. Good Luck!

As far as lowering it...if the trailer is level when hooked up, how much space is there above the truck bed rails?You want to keep it all level and bare minimum 6" clearance to the truck. That's the main reason you see trailers lifted. The newer trucks are taller, so to keep it all level and to keep the clearance, you need to lift the trailer. It's not about off roading.Yeah, get the pin box checked out.

Coach-man wrote:Two comments stand out, first you suspect the trailer has been raised so the previous owner could traverse back roads, and you notice play between the pin box and the sheet metal. As old biscuit mentioned measure the travel since I suspect there is frame damage at that is why it was sold. Any question or problem in doing it, get a professional involved before there is a real problem. Good Luck!What CM and OB said.Major investigation required.No disrespect, suspect this is not you - so..... have it inspected by someone who knows RV frames and suspension.~

Lowering trailer | Good Sam Community

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 31, 2015
How hard to lower is dependent on HOW it was raised.
Also how much is needed.......does it tow level now when hitched to truck or is it 'tail high'?
How much clearance between truck bed rail and overhang of trailer?

Flip the axles (moved axle so leaf springs are on top of axle vs on bottom........then just reverse -----very easy if original spring perches on axle tube are still there)

Moved location of leaf springs via hole in shackles..........very easy. Just move to upper holes.

Added a sub-frame lift .......more difficult. Axle assemblies/suspension has to be dropped. Shackles have to be cut off sub-frame, sub-frame cut off trailer frame. Shackles welded back on trailer frame. Axle assemblies reinstalled and aligned

Play between pin box and sheet metal of rig.......could be pin box structure failure.

With trailer unhitched......measure from a point on pin box straight up to a reference line on front cap
hitch up and remeasure same place.
How much difference between hitched & unhitched measurements?
More than 3/8" (MAX) you will need to remove overhang cover and inspect sub-structure for cracks. broken welds etc.
Also hitch and unhitch while inspecting for movement.

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