Forum Discussion

oldtrojan66's avatar
oldtrojan66
Explorer
Feb 27, 2018

Raising fifth wheel

Little rant first! C’mon, I know there has been discussion on this topic! Why is the search engine so particular?

What I’m after is, Is it possible? I had to trade trucks and some features were pretty important. I wanted a SRW and all that was available was a short bed. Got tired of being stranded in the old truck. So, didn’t want to wait too long to trade.

Here’s the question. The newer truck is taller in bed than old. Even in lowest position, the fiver is still pretty high. How will it work to change position of axle, spring location, etc? Is there a potential for disaster?
  • oldtrojan66 What truck did you get?

    Does your trailer have any adjustment on the suspension?

    How much do you think you need to raise it?

    Got this how to from rhagfo.

    With TV and 5er hooked up park on a level area. At the pin location measure from ground to top of bed rail, call this "Measurement #1".

    Now chock the 5er wheels and disconnect the TV from the 5er, pull TV clear of the fiver, then level the 5er (with the front jack’s only). Then at the pin measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the 5er overhang, call this "Measurement #2"

    Now time for math (measurement #1 + 6") - measurement #2 = needed lift at axles.

    (from rhagfo on RV.net) Thanks
  • Thanks 2naEagle, that sounds like what I was looking for. From looking forward Nader my fiver, I don’t see why I can’t put axle under spring instead of over. Brackets the same. Still weight on wheels. I going to jack up anyway to replace shackle bolts with greaseable ones, so I could do it then.
  • Oh, I have a 2015 F350 SRW short box Platinum model Lariat. Way nicer truck than I deserve!
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    2naEagle wrote:
    oldtrojan66 What truck did you get?

    Does your trailer have any adjustment on the suspension?

    How much do you think you need to raise it?

    Got this how to from rhagfo.

    With TV and 5er hooked up park on a level area. At the pin location measure from ground to top of bed rail, call this "Measurement #1".

    Now chock the 5er wheels and disconnect the TV from the 5er, pull TV clear of the fiver, then level the 5er (with the front jack’s only). Then at the pin measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the 5er overhang, call this "Measurement #2"

    Now time for math (measurement #1 + 6") - measurement #2 = needed lift at axles.

    (from rhagfo on RV.net) Thanks


    X2.

    Quick and easy, if you are lucky like me, we only needed 2" so installed a Correct Track system and got the 2" from that.
  • I have a 20' flat bed tandem axel trailer I tow behind our mh. I moved the axles from on top of the leaf springs to the bottom. Works well.

    Dusty
  • oldtrojan66

    My thinking is once you know how much height you need then you can see what options are available for you.
    etrailer has Dexter over/under kit but that may make it to high.
    MORryde has the SRE4000 that is supposed to add a couple of inches and probably make for a smoother ride.

    Knowing what you need is the first step. Everyone on the forum can help with options (and helping spend your money:B)
  • Search for "axle flip" and you should find plenty of discussion. Don't limit your search to just 5th wheels, but look in several topic areas.
  • Look into the Tru-Track system it gives the ability to align the axels as well as raising the 5er 2 inches. We have had it on ours for 4 years and thousands of miles. pics -> and next few

    Also added the trailair rubber equalizer at the same time.

    Housted