Since the other thread is more about complaining about high trucks, (This thread) thought I'd open a new one about solutions.My trailer is riding about 2" high with my current set up. I have a Valley 16k slider and a Reese 5th Airborne hitch on the Lippert 1621HD Pin Box. This new trailer has put our current TV at its limits and thinking about upgrading to a 1 ton but the new trucks are a good 3" higher. The top of the AC on my trailer is already at 13'-6" and concerned about it making it higher. Don't need to pull down any low hanging cables or shear the AC off on a low bridge.Are there any options out there to lower the truck or trailer to tow level without flipping the axles? I thought about a low profile hitch but the be rails are also 2" taller so that is not much help.

Get a 1 ton flatbed with fold down side boards or custom sides?

Thats one reason I went with a 4X2 vs a 4X4 on my current truck. You might check the trailers spring hangers to see if they have adjustment holes. Did that too and never had a problem on the road. You might measure the nose of the trailer sitting level. With that measurement you can go looking for a sutiable cantadate. Fords will be the highest, GMs likely will be the lowest, Rams somewhere in between.Sent you a PM

Long shot here, but what about taking to either your truck dealer or a good spring shop? Perhaps new blocks (smaller) below springs or 1-2 less springs?With our old '03 F250, we were dead level w/ '06 Cedar Creek. The '15 F350, pretty darn close w/ same coach. Same '15 and '18 Big Country, lil nose high but okay (truck hitch on lowest setting, 5th Airborne on highest setting--closest to underside of RV). '17 F350 DRW & '18 BC, same as the '15. Only real issue I have is the rebound of rear axle on the truck when going over a bump or raised pavement seem, it REALLY BANGS when it comes back down for the susp is doing it's thing in forcing the axle back down to the road. Work in progress.

Get a RAM with rear air ride, and run in alt ride height. Truck will stay perfectly level and lower than the other two.

Me Again wrote:Get a RAM with rear air ride, and run in alt ride height. Truck will stay perfectly level and lower than the other two.x2

How to tow a level trailer with a new truck. | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

ugeesta
Explorer
Jun 13, 2018
RCMAN46 wrote:
Ron3rd wrote:
I think the OP is looking for solutions other than buying a new truck

A quote from the OP.

"This new trailer has put our current TV at its limits and thinking about upgrading to a 1 ton but the new trucks are a good 3" higher. The top of the AC on my trailer is already at 13'-6" and concerned about it making it higher. Don't need to pull down any low hanging cables or shear the AC off on a low bridge."

Correct. My search for a new TV has started and am looking for solutions to keep the nose of the fifth wheel level. I like the idea of the Rams with the air suspension. Need to check them out but I have traditionally been a GM guy.
RCMAN46
Explorer
Jun 13, 2018
Ron3rd wrote:
I think the OP is looking for solutions other than buying a new truck

A quote from the OP.

"This new trailer has put our current TV at its limits and thinking about upgrading to a 1 ton but the new trucks are a good 3" higher. The top of the AC on my trailer is already at 13'-6" and concerned about it making it higher. Don't need to pull down any low hanging cables or shear the AC off on a low bridge."
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 13, 2018
I think the OP is looking for solutions other than buying a new truck
transamz9
Explorer
Jun 12, 2018
4x4ord wrote:
transamz9 wrote:
Durb wrote:
A Ram dually will sit about 2 inches lower than a Ram SRW 3500. 57" compared to 59" for 4WD models. Extra cost of dually may be offset by necessary trailer mods which you don't have headroom for anyway. Better tow is a bonus.

Might consider 2WD.

Just measured my 3500 SRW with air and it measured 57 at the tailgate so it should be around 55-56 in alt mode.

Does the pin weight drop it down further when hooked up to your trailer or is the idea that the air suspension is supposed to maintain that height?

I've never measured it hooked up to check it but it does pick it back up when loaded. Pretty sure it will be real close loaded or unloaded.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2018
Me Again wrote:
Get a RAM with rear air ride, and run in alt ride height. Truck will stay perfectly level and lower than the other two.

YUP, I am at 55" to top tailgate loaded or not.
RCMAN46
Explorer
Jun 12, 2018
NJRVer wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
Get a RAM with rear air ride, and run in alt ride height. Truck will stay perfectly level and lower than the other two.

x2

X3.
My new Ram 3500 4x4 with air is lower than my old Chevy 2500 4x4 without.

How old was your old chevy 2500 4x4?

My 2005 Duramax 2500 4x4 with a pin weight of 2200 lbs sets at 51 inches measured at the tailgate.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2018
transamz9 wrote:
Durb wrote:
A Ram dually will sit about 2 inches lower than a Ram SRW 3500. 57" compared to 59" for 4WD models. Extra cost of dually may be offset by necessary trailer mods which you don't have headroom for anyway. Better tow is a bonus.

Might consider 2WD.

Just measured my 3500 SRW with air and it measured 57 at the tailgate so it should be around 55-56 in alt mode.

Does the pin weight drop it down further when hooked up to your trailer or is the idea that the air suspension is supposed to maintain that height?
transamz9
Explorer
Jun 12, 2018
Durb wrote:
A Ram dually will sit about 2 inches lower than a Ram SRW 3500. 57" compared to 59" for 4WD models. Extra cost of dually may be offset by necessary trailer mods which you don't have headroom for anyway. Better tow is a bonus.

Might consider 2WD.

Just measured my 3500 SRW with air and it measured 57 at the tailgate so it should be around 55-56 in alt mode.
RCMAN46
Explorer
Jun 12, 2018
NJRVer wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
Get a RAM with rear air ride, and run in alt ride height. Truck will stay perfectly level and lower than the other two.

x2

X3.
My new Ram 3500 4x4 with air is lower than my old Chevy 2500 4x4 without.

I would still like to know how far it is from your bed rail to the ground.
NJRVer
Explorer
Jun 12, 2018
goducks10 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
Get a RAM with rear air ride, and run in alt ride height. Truck will stay perfectly level and lower than the other two.

x2

X3.
My new Ram 3500 4x4 with air is lower than my old Chevy 2500 4x4 without.