UPDATE!!!From everyone's opinions, personal experiences, and my own research, I will be having a SUBFRAME installed this week. This seems the only was that would be deemed safe and put my nerves at ease when towing thousands of miles. I would like to thank everyone for their frank opinions on this issue. I'll keep you updated and post pics when done.I need some advice and hopefully personal experience if anyone has it. I need to lift my trailer a couple inches for a level tow on my Grand Design 303rls. Lippert says that the only approved way is to extend the center hangers, weld a cross beam to limit lateral movement, and then using the stock shackle. This will raise it close to 2". Yes, the axles are already below the spring and the correct track is already on there from the factory. What do you guys think about this fabrication?

By any chance, is your truck "lifted" (i.e., higher than stock)?Rusty

nguyenbio wrote:I need some advice and hopefully personal experience if anyone has it. I need to lift my trailer a couple inches for a level tow on my Grand Design 303rls. Lippert says that the only approved way is to extend the center hangers, weld a cross beam to limit lateral movement, and then using the stock shackle. This will raise it close to 2". Yes, the axles are already below the spring and the correct track is already on there from the factory. What do you guys think about this fabrication?The factory that designed the frame, staffed with registered Professional Engineer's, tells you how to do it correctly and you are asking this bunch of "shade tree engineers"?That doesn't make sense.

Our 5th wheel was raised by the factory. In the same manner as Lippert advises. It's worked great for over 20 years.

Joe, after looking at the pic in your sig, it does not look that nose high to me. I would just leave it, if it is within 1-2 inches nose high.Are you having a problem with the way it tows? Mine is about 1.5 inches nose high, and works fine for me.Jerry

MFL wrote:Joe, after looking at the pic in your sig, it does not look that nose high to me. I would just leave it, if it is within 1-2 inches nose high.Are you having a problem with the way it tows? Mine is about 1.5 inches nose high, and works fine for me.JerryJerry, Please ignore the pic. That was with the 2014 F250 that was turned in due to it being a lemon. I recently upgraded to F350 FX4 CC SRW LWB. The truck is over 2" taller at the rear.As far as asking here, Lippert approves the mod, but does not warranty it of course. I am asking for some real world experiences on any failures.I've attached a pic for further investigation

Need opinions on lifting my 5er this way... | Good Sam Community

ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Mar 09, 2015
kaydeejay wrote:
nguyenbio wrote:
........As far as asking here, Lippert approves the mod, ..............
That surprises me! Would seem to me that a tight turn would put enormous stress on those two new brackets due to the hangers now being twice as far from the frame rails.
I do not see any diagonal cross-braces (spring hangar on one side to the frame on the other) that would absorb the extra forces.
What did you do at the other ends of the springs?

I agree... If it were me , I would replace that 2" hanger and NOT add a new 2" hanger.. instead I would just add a beefy 2" x 4" rectangle tube with 1/4" wall.. That is how mor/ryde did mine when I added the IS..
kaydeejay
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
nguyenbio wrote:
........As far as asking here, Lippert approves the mod, ..............
That surprises me! Would seem to me that a tight turn would put enormous stress on those two new brackets due to the hangers now being twice as far from the frame rails.
I do not see any diagonal cross-braces (spring hangar on one side to the frame on the other) that would absorb the extra forces.
What did you do at the other ends of the springs?
Ed9824v
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
I like heavier material and I would put a diagonal from sides to the center of the crossover bar.
nguyenbio
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
the bear II wrote:
Our 5th wheel was raised by the factory. In the same manner as Lippert advises. It's worked great for over 20 years.

You are not too far from me...
Can you tell me where you got the mod done and how much it cost you?

Thank you!
nguyenbio
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
MFL wrote:
Joe, after looking at the pic in your sig, it does not look that nose high to me. I would just leave it, if it is within 1-2 inches nose high.

Are you having a problem with the way it tows? Mine is about 1.5 inches nose high, and works fine for me.

Jerry

Jerry, Please ignore the pic. That was with the 2014 F250 that was turned in due to it being a lemon. I recently upgraded to F350 FX4 CC SRW LWB. The truck is over 2" taller at the rear.
As far as asking here, Lippert approves the mod, but does not warranty it of course. I am asking for some real world experiences on any failures.
I've attached a pic for further investigation
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 09, 2015
Joe, after looking at the pic in your sig, it does not look that nose high to me. I would just leave it, if it is within 1-2 inches nose high.

Are you having a problem with the way it tows? Mine is about 1.5 inches nose high, and works fine for me.

Jerry
the_bear_II
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
Our 5th wheel was raised by the factory. In the same manner as Lippert advises. It's worked great for over 20 years.
avvidclif1
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
nguyenbio wrote:
I need some advice and hopefully personal experience if anyone has it. I need to lift my trailer a couple inches for a level tow on my Grand Design 303rls. Lippert says that the only approved way is to extend the center hangers, weld a cross beam to limit lateral movement, and then using the stock shackle. This will raise it close to 2".
Yes, the axles are already below the spring and the correct track is already on there from the factory. What do you guys think about this fabrication?

The factory that designed the frame, staffed with registered Professional Engineer's, tells you how to do it correctly and you are asking this bunch of "shade tree engineers"?

That doesn't make sense.
RustyJC
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
By any chance, is your truck "lifted" (i.e., higher than stock)?

Rusty

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