Forum Discussion

tporter's avatar
tporter
Explorer
Mar 02, 2016

Lowering a dually, options?

Hi I have a 2012 dually that sits too high for my 5th wheel trailer and our gooseneck horse trailer. I can't flip the axles on the horse trailer due to the trailer then being too high for the horses to get in and out. How many of you have bought and installed shackles to lower the rear of your dually to allow enough clearance between your bed and trailer? Any issues or complaints? Any other options available?
Tow Vehicles
  • Vanished's avatar
    Vanished
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2016
    mkirsch wrote:
    Vanished wrote:
    I also gave up and have our living quarters horse trailer nose high about 2" on my 3500 SRW..


    Might not be an option here, as the horse trailer may contact the bed rails at the rear.

    Gotta keep in mind that you're not always on flat level ground. Those gas stations with the quick steep approach off the road into the lot could drop the trailer enough to contact the bed rails, and OUCH!


    Absolutely correct - mine would hit rear first when the truck comes downhill and I've had them within an inch in some situations...
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2016
    You have a 2012 truck.

    What brand? Dodge, Ford or GM?

    What is the GVWR? It is on the drivers door sticker.

    Good luck,

    Fred.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Mar 02, 2016
    Vanished wrote:
    I also gave up and have our living quarters horse trailer nose high about 2" on my 3500 SRW..


    Might not be an option here, as the horse trailer may contact the bed rails at the rear.

    Gotta keep in mind that you're not always on flat level ground. Those gas stations with the quick steep approach off the road into the lot could drop the trailer enough to contact the bed rails, and OUCH!
  • larry_barnhart's avatar
    larry_barnhart
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2016
    We bought a 2001 3500 chev dually with a high rear end look. GM asked bell tech to make longer rear spring shackles. 2 " lower was the result. 55" at the rear bed height . Worked great.

    chevman
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Mar 02, 2016
    Box sides up to a 6 footer's chin

    Shopping cart dooley wheels in a big gaping unfinished wheel opening

    Rusty Frames you can see from below the body work

    Grill openings the size of a class 8 with a wee baby engine

    dozer blade bumpers

    These are a few of my favorite things...
  • Vanished's avatar
    Vanished
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2016
    I also gave up and have our living quarters horse trailer nose high about 2" on my 3500 SRW.. I like the height of the truck without the trailer however so it's always a compromise as I don't want a 'low-rider'.. ;)

    My backup plan has always been an aluminum flatbed but so far I haven't started that project..
  • BobsYourUncle's avatar
    BobsYourUncle
    Nomad
    Mar 02, 2016
    I looked into that when I bought mine. It is way too high for what I wanted.
    Trouble is there is not much room to drop it without the normal suspension deflection causing the wheels and rear end to hit things.
    I've often said you could fly an airplane through my dually fender openings.
    Not sure why they insist on having them so far up in the air.
    I gave up the idea and just left it alone.

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