I have a 2006 GMC Sierra 2500, Crew, 4x4, short bed, 285 tires pulling a Jayco Eagle HT 29.5bhds. I am using an Andersen Ultimate Hitch on my Gooseneck hitch with a Mor Ryde kingpin. When in tow, the FW is about 6 in high in the front. When I measure the height of the Andersen Hitch vs the Andersen mount on the Kingpin (from the ground up) it is about 8 inches difference. I know the truck will squat and take some of this, but the king pin is adjusted all the way up, but it hits the fiberglass on the nose cone before I can reach the last or highest setting. I really don't want to do an axle flip because of the outside kitchen. Are there different kingpins that would work better? I do have airbags, but they are only at 7psi when loaded. Should I let the truck squat to help level the FW? Whats next? I do have pictures, but don't know how to post them.

Is your hitch in the lowest setting?How much clearance do you have between the bed rails and the trailer?If you have less than 5 inches of clearance you only option may be to flip the axles. If clearance is ok then maybe you can take the kingpin off and cut it off above the holes you need. I don't think that will be a problem with the integrity of the kingpin but I would ask an expert before I did it.I think it is important to have the tow vehicle level also.Doug

With my existing truck I had to put a block under the boat wheel to get it on the ball when I had the airbags at their lowest setting. After I removed the airbags completely, the back of the truck dropped enough to put the tongue on without the block. In your case, are your tires oversized? Can you put 16 inch wheels, or bigger than you have on the trailer? Sounds a bit drastic, but it's what you want to do. Price out the options.

8 or 9 inches of clearance between the bed rails and the underside of the nose of FW. The Andersen is at the lowest setting and the King pin is at the next to highest setting because of the kingpin hitting the fiberglass on the nose.

I had a similar problem and had to go to a shorter hitch from a different brand. I picked up 2 inches, 3 was available. I had to sell my brand new previous hitch on CL. I am willing to bet Andersen has encountered this problem before and might have a solution. I'd give them a call.By the way, nice looking trailer!

My Eagle HT came with the springs over the axles, but I still had to do a lift.

Please help me level my FW | Good Sam Community

alexleblanc
Explorer
May 08, 2016
You may be able to pick up an inch of lift depending on what hole your springs are using on the spring hangers ( you will want to get something like the mor ryde braces afterwards ) and another inch or inch and a half of lift from tires and wheel. Combine that with a different hitch that allows you to bring it down another 1-2 inches and you're darn near level. I just went through this although it was only 2-3" nose high.
davisenvy
Explorer
May 08, 2016
From what I've calculated, the tires only add just over an inch in height. I'll call Anderson on Monday and report back what they say. Thanks for the responses.
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
May 08, 2016
Artum Snowbird wrote:
With my existing truck I had to put a block under the boat wheel to get it on the ball when I had the airbags at their lowest setting. After I removed the airbags completely, the back of the truck dropped enough to put the tongue on without the block.

In your case, are your tires oversized? Can you put 16 inch wheels, or bigger than you have on the trailer? Sounds a bit drastic, but it's what you want to do. Price out the options.
5 " clearance is normally adequate between truck bed and overhead. Your oversized tires and wheels on the truck are adding to the trouble, so if you want to keep your truck height the way it is, you'll have to lift the trailer. If you do that then weld in extra xmembers between the spring hangers to counter the lateral loads.
It boils down to lower the truck or hitch , or raise the trailer. Whats your choice?
garyp4951
Explorer III
May 08, 2016
My Eagle HT came with the springs over the axles, but I still had to do a lift.
Durb
Explorer
May 08, 2016
I had a similar problem and had to go to a shorter hitch from a different brand. I picked up 2 inches, 3 was available. I had to sell my brand new previous hitch on CL. I am willing to bet Andersen has encountered this problem before and might have a solution. I'd give them a call.

By the way, nice looking trailer!
davisenvy
Explorer
May 08, 2016
8 or 9 inches of clearance between the bed rails and the underside of the nose of FW. The Andersen is at the lowest setting and the King pin is at the next to highest setting because of the kingpin hitting the fiberglass on the nose.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
May 07, 2016
With my existing truck I had to put a block under the boat wheel to get it on the ball when I had the airbags at their lowest setting. After I removed the airbags completely, the back of the truck dropped enough to put the tongue on without the block.

In your case, are your tires oversized? Can you put 16 inch wheels, or bigger than you have on the trailer? Sounds a bit drastic, but it's what you want to do. Price out the options.
12th_Man_Fan
Explorer
May 07, 2016
Is your hitch in the lowest setting?

How much clearance do you have between the bed rails and the trailer?

If you have less than 5 inches of clearance you only option may be to flip the axles. If clearance is ok then maybe you can take the kingpin off and cut it off above the holes you need. I don't think that will be a problem with the integrity of the kingpin but I would ask an expert before I did it.

I think it is important to have the tow vehicle level also.

Doug

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