Let me try to explain,The front axle on my 2005 Rockwood 30' 5th wheel has adjustment bolts on the front of the axle mounts to the frame. I am guessing this is to raise and lower the axle for the height of the towing vehicle.I bought my 5'er used but did not know what vehicle the previous owner pulled it with. My truck is a standard F250 Super Duty and the front of the trailer pulls down on the trailer, hitch is raised as high as allowed. I am guessing most of the towing weight is on the front axle.Anyone ever adjusted their front axle to even out the weight distribution onto both axles?

Anything that would adjust the height should be done to both axles. Some do have extra holes.When you say adjustment bolts do you mean the bolts that hold the spring or shackle or do they look like a large hex that is set back in the brackets?

Gregad wrote:Let me try to explain,The front axle on my 2005 Rockwood 30' 5th wheel has adjustment bolts on the front of the axle mounts to the frame. I am guessing this is to raise and lower the axle for the height of the towing vehicle.I bought my 5'er used but did not know what vehicle the previous owner pulled it with. My truck is a standard F250 Super Duty and the front of the trailer pulls down on the trailer, hitch is raised as high as allowed. I am guessing most of the towing weight is on the front axle.Anyone ever adjusted their front axle to even out the weight distribution onto both axles?If you're towing nose-down, then you'd want to drop the spring attachments to raise the FW to level. I've never heard about someone =not= raising them equally, but I suppose it's been done at some time. The usual issue is clearance with the bed not being enough, requiring the whole FW to be raised. Now, if your truck is squatting a lot once hitched, then you may not have enough truck for the FW, causing the nose-down attitude. Pics would help a lot on this.Lyle

You don't just raise one set of leaf springs (in your case---front)You raise both (or lower).I have 3 height adjustments holes on front/rear and 2 on center shackles for leaf spring adjustments.You can change the leaf spring positions move them both to same holes F/R and move center up/down as needed to keep leaf spring pack horizontal (should be cocked up/down)Mine made 2" difference in height

Before you start fooling around with the axles have you considered lowering the pin box?

No springs or shackles. Rubber mounted torsion axles. Yes I have lowered Pin Box as low as it goes, Hitch is raised as high as it goes. 3/4 ton heavy duty truck rides level.Can't post pictures but can email them if you want to see them, There is a half moon slot on the front of the axle mount flange which bolts the front of the axle flange to the frame. The axle currently is adjusted down so there is about a half inch between the frame and axle flange in the front. I suspect this is for equalizing the load onto both axles for normal ride height.

5er axle adjustments | Good Sam Community

rodknocker
Explorer
Jul 12, 2015
Sounds like the OP is looking at the axle alignment cam bolts. Not for raising or lowering, but moving forward and back to square the axles to direction of travel.
golf_bears
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
Here's a hot link to the Dexter web site with various videos of their axle systems. Which one of the videos pertains to your axle system?

Dexter Axle Videos.
golf_bears
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
Have you called Dexter about your issue and how to make adjustments? If not that's where I would start. Also may want to call the RV manufacturer for info but they may defer you to Dexter.
frizzen
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
To post pictures you can upload them on photobucket and then link the pic to the post.
Tyler0215
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
I would say go to a truck spring and alignment shop and get an expert opinion. They will know what needs to be done to make your rig level and safe to tow.
Gregad
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
golf_bears wrote:
OK, if I understand correctly, pin box as low as it will go and hitch as high as it will go. Truck rides level but RV nose rides low.

So your only choice is to raise the RV by adjusting the axles. This is the point you are at now.

What brand torsion axles is on your RV?

The front axle is already lowered. They I believe are Dexter. I would have to raise the axle so there is not as much pressure on the front tires. The front axle is already lowered to the bottom of that slot leaving a 1 inch gap between the frame and the axle mounting flange. I would close that gap like the rear axle, flange to frame tight. ???
golf_bears
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
OK, if I understand correctly, pin box as low as it will go and hitch as high as it will go. Truck rides level but RV nose rides low.

So your only choice is to raise the RV by adjusting the axles. This is the point you are at now.

What brand torsion axles is on your RV?
Gregad
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
No springs or shackles. Rubber mounted torsion axles. Yes I have lowered Pin Box as low as it goes, Hitch is raised as high as it goes. 3/4 ton heavy duty truck rides level.

Can't post pictures but can email them if you want to see them, There is a half moon slot on the front of the axle mount flange which bolts the front of the axle flange to the frame. The axle currently is adjusted down so there is about a half inch between the frame and axle flange in the front. I suspect this is for equalizing the load onto both axles for normal ride height.
golf_bears
Explorer
Jul 10, 2015
Before you start fooling around with the axles have you considered lowering the pin box?
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jul 10, 2015
You don't just raise one set of leaf springs (in your case---front)

You raise both (or lower).

I have 3 height adjustments holes on front/rear and 2 on center shackles for leaf spring adjustments.

You can change the leaf spring positions move them both to same holes F/R and move center up/down as needed to keep leaf spring pack horizontal
(should be cocked up/down)

Mine made 2" difference in height

Forum Discussion

5er axle adjustments

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

1993 Newmar Kountry Star tag axle adjustment

New 5er

Why 4.1 axle?

Adding big deck/ extra axle to a 5er. Carry 4 motorcycles.

5er hitch