Have 3 inch clerance/new truck/ need 6 for level fiver

[Lilliemae30]

Just picked up the new dodge ram 2500 we ordered.The height of the bed rails is 3" higher from the ground than the old truck. The truck is backed under the fifth wheel camper. Not hitched and there is only a 3" clearance.

Only 1800/2000 lb pin weight. Our old truck (2003 Dodge 2500) had the 6" clearance and only settled 1" or so when hitched.

We need to get to a 6" clearance but still keep the fifth wheel camper level. Do we compress the springs to the truck, will that be enough to lower the bed of the truck? From the vround

We have a Reese hitch that is 13 years old but have had no problems with.
Any and all advice appreciated including what type of place or person to take it to.

[john_bet]

For me just one of many reasons I will not own a 4X4 of any brand. Do not now and no plans to do so in the future.

[PhoneDude_8289]

Bought a Ram 2500 TCD and my 2014 Rockwood was 5" nose high when hooked to the ram. Pin weight on the rockwood is around 1400 - 1500 pounds, the setup was level on the old 1/2 ton truck with air bags. Hitch in the Ram was as low as it could go and the hitch pin on the 5er is a factory installed revolution, no adjustment. The Rockwood has no springs, it rides on torsion axels. Ordered and installed a 3" lift kit from Dexter for the trailer, everything is level again, air bags not needed on the Ram.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

Most pickups are too saggy for their payload ratings, both new and not so new.

[larry_barnhart]

N-Trouble wrote:

My 2012 3/4 ton GMC squats less or the same as my previous '02 but definately not more. I think Ford may be the one exception here.

I see low trucks at the rear so I feel softer springs might be the reason but also the fifths keep getting bigger but again maybe not heavier. I know the fifths near us in the Arizona winter months complain about the cold and price to heat them.

chevman

[N-Trouble]

pyoung47 wrote:
And to the usual "Google is your friend" poster: give it a rest.

That was the SEARCH button, not Google...

[N-Trouble]

rhagfo wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:

Me Again wrote:
New trucks settle more than older ones.

Chris

Thats a pretty broad statement which I would disagree with in most cases.

I think for the most part Chris is correct, newer trucks while having higher payloads, are also designed for a smoother ride empty. Therefore the first part of the springs travel is softer.

My 2012 3/4 ton GMC squats less or the same as my previous '02 but definately not more. I think Ford may be the one exception here.

[pyoung47]

I'm looking at the same issue. I just haven't bought the truck yet. Probably those trailers with 15 inch tires are going to have an issue. Personally, I'm adverse to messing with my trailer to make it work. Currently, I have a 05 Dodge, which fits nicely. I was surprised at the 3 inch difference as well. I'm sadly looking at Fords. And to the usual "Google is your friend" poster: give it a rest.

[dwayneb236]

I have a 2016 F350 DRW and it definitely settles more than I would have expected with an almost 5800lb payload capacity. Haven't measured the drop yet but I need to some day. The ride is pretty rough empty but hooked it up it's smooth as silk.

[rhagfo]

N-Trouble wrote:

Me Again wrote:
New trucks settle more than older ones.

Chris

Thats a pretty broad statement which I would disagree with in most cases.

I think for the most part Chris is correct, newer trucks while having higher payloads, are also designed for a smoother ride empty. Therefore the first part of the springs travel is softer.

[N-Trouble]

Me Again wrote:
New trucks settle more than older ones.

Chris

Thats a pretty broad statement which I would disagree with in most cases.

[N-Trouble]

This is one of the most common topics discussed on this forum. SEARCH button is your friend...

[rhagfo]

Here we go again, three reply's without the knowledge of how much the truck will settle once the 5er is set on it.

#1 Install the hitch and hook up to see what you really have.

#2 Once hooked up on level ground measure from the ground to rail at the pin location. Take that measurement and add 6' to it for clearance call this measurement1.

#3 Now drop the Landing gear an disconnect from the 5er right there.

#4 Now level the 5er in place, once level measure at the location of the pin, from the ground to the underside of the 5er at the pin.. Call this measurement2.

#5 Now time for math Measurement1-Measurement2=distance to lift 5er at axles to tow level with 6" of clearance at bed rails.

Understand that if you install your old hitch in the new truck, as it came out of the old, and the distance from the bed floor to the rail isn't different between the old and new trucks, you will have the same rail clearance you had on the old truck. The 5er may not be level could be a little nose high, so then we start to deal with that.

[dapperdan]

Me Again wrote:
Until you actual hook up with pin weight on the truck, you are wasting brain cycles trying to figure this out. New trucks settle more than older ones.

Chris

X2 Once you get your trailer hooked up to your new truck only then can you determine what needs to happen. Obviously your trailer is going to sit nose high initially, from there you'll have to determine if it can be corrected with your pin box (probably not) or if you're going to have to raise the trailer (change suspension).

That's what we had to do, raise our trailer a couple of inches via suspension upgrade to get it closer to level.

Dan

[Me_Again]

Until you actual hook up with pin weight on the truck, you are wasting brain cycles trying to figure this out. New trucks settle more than older ones.

Chris

[SoCalDesertRid1]

garyp4951 wrote:
...since it would be the diameter of the axle plus the thickness of the spring pack.

Plus 2 times the height of the spring pads...

If you have a 3" diameter axle tube, 2" thick spring packs, and 1" high spring mounting pads, the lift ends up being 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 7