5er axle adjustments

[Gregad]

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?

[rodknocker]

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]

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]

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]

To post pictures you can upload them on photobucket and then link the pic to the post.

[Tyler0215]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Old-Biscuit]

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

[laknox]

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

[azrving]

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?