Raising a fifth wheel trailer

Blazing Zippers wrote:
The new Ram I bought is one of those high trucks where the fifth wheel trailer is raised up quite a bit in front when hooked up.
What have any of you folks done to raise your trailer? Blocks between the springs and axles, extended shackles, etc??
My auto levelers jacks in back are pretty low, and I know someday, I'll drag them off on something expensive. The trailer sits nose high enough to be really noticed, and I can't lower the pin into the bed any lower without hitting the bed sides when turning.
Thanks

Some newer trucks have spacer blocks in their suspensions that can be removed to make them about 2" lower.

If you have extra holes in the factory spring hangars, drop the entire suspension to the lowest holes.

=Slightly= longer and heavier spring hangars (the part welded to the main frame, not the shackles) can sometimes work OK, but you =have= to add cross-bracing. I'd say general rule of thumb is a max of about 2" lift by this method. More, and you can start having main frame issues.

Axle "flip" unless it came from the factory with springs on top of the axles already.

Sub-frame between the main frame and the suspension. Customize to the height needed to level things out. Cross-frame bracing is desirable here, too. Also, if the lift is significant enough, you might have to replace your entry stairs.

Since you're likely to have the suspension apart, install a good wet bolt kit. Greaseable bolts, bronze bushings and heavier shackles only prolong the life of your FW.

Lyle