Forum Discussion

Eaglescout94's avatar
Eaglescout94
Explorer
Jun 05, 2018

Sub-frame for camper

This is my first post so bear with me. Ive got a 2000 F350 4x4, currently it has stock suspension on it but I’m looking into installing a leveling kit. I have a 97 Jayco 211sl, th previous owner relocated the springs to the top of the axles which worked ok with my worn out rear springs initially but I didn’t have much bed rail clearance. I put new rear springs on the truck and now it is obvious i need to lift the camper to get everything level. Jayco has been useless in suggesting anything and although I’ve read several posts about sub-frames there have been few pictures or details. Any advice and/or pictures on how best to go about installing my subframe with proper cross bracing?
  • Eaglescout94's avatar
    Eaglescout94
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2018
    Just curious but where are you getting 10” from? Axle flip plus the subframe? When I asked Jayco fo any assistance they played dumb and finally dropped it when I told them if I left it all stock like they suggest I might as well use it as a bumper pull. It would take a truck that has a bed floor height around 30 inches at the most to level tow in factory specs, that’s with the pin box all the way up and fifth wheel hitch all the way down.
  • tinner12002's avatar
    tinner12002
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2018
    Raising one 10" sure sounds like a lot to me, I think most build their sub-frames from 2x4 rec tubing. Not too sure I'd want to raise one as much as you say you need!
  • Eaglescout94's avatar
    Eaglescout94
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2018
    My plan now is to make it about a foot longer than the factory framework, 6” on either end but I’m not a sure if it would be best to cut out the factory box entirely and make it just one piece, as opposed to 2 under the frame. The camper weighs maybe 5k loaded but I don’t know for sure, never weighed it.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jun 12, 2018
    Personally, I'd've had a sub-frame a bit longer than AZ T&T's. Maybe a foot, or a foot 'n a half. Spread the load out a bit more. Just me... Still, a =nice= job that works.

    Lyle
  • Eaglescout94's avatar
    Eaglescout94
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2018
    I still haven’t measured in a level lot where i can have everything together to be 100% what i need but have measured with the camper level where it sits. I have to raise it around 6” to be close to what I need. The way it is set up now there is a 2x2 square tubing that the spring hangers are attached to from the factory, would my best bet be to cut this out entirely and weld in a crossbraced 2x8 subframe with new hanger welded on or cut it apart and weld a 2x6 between the 2x2 and the main frame rails?
  • Eaglescout94's avatar
    Eaglescout94
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2018
    Just out of curiosity how big is your FW? Mines around 23 feet total so it stands to reason it will follow the truck a little more than a long FW.
  • AZ_T_T's avatar
    AZ_T_T
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2018
    Eaglescout94 wrote:
    Is 8 inches too much clearance at the bed rails. I remember reading 8” if there will be any off road but it seems like 90% of what I’m reading says 6


    I’ve got 9” of clearance and have still had the truck bed rub on the bottom of the FW on some rough roads. I say more clearance is always better.
  • Eaglescout94's avatar
    Eaglescout94
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2018
    Is 8 inches too much clearance at the bed rails. I remember reading 8” if there will be any off road but it seems like 90% of what I’m reading says 6
  • Eaglescout94's avatar
    Eaglescout94
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2018
    BO, I figured as much but i wanted to ask them first, see if they could at least direct me to who made my frame. Apparently they purge their records after 20 years so they cant tell me anything. Thank you AZ, I remember seeing your pics before so thats where i got at least part of my plan.

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