Leveling for Towing???

[bowler1]

Hi,
This is a followup to one of my previous posts. Just recently got my first 5th wheel. Dealer set it up pretty nose high despite claiming it was okay and telling me that it would level out with so weight in it.

It towed a bit better when I got some weight in it but was still noticeably high in the front. I lowered my hitch down to the lowest setting and it is still a bit high in the front; although a lot better. It seems to tow pretty well too.

I am going to be loading a good deal more weight in it (we are going to be living full time for a while). Should this help to level it out? Seems to me that it might, but only if the truck starts to squat so I don't know if it would still be nose high in that case. Or do I just need to raise the pin box? That sounds like a PIA, but I do have room to raise it a notch.

thanks for your help

Matt

[ebshingleton]

I moved my today two holes and still have about 6”of clearance now gut trying to bring up the back 4” to level it out

[bowler1]

Took mine back to the dealer for them to raise the pin box. I think it will fix my problem since I still have about 10 inches of bed rail clearance how it is now. I think that raising the pin box one hole (2 inches) should make it pretty close to level and still have plenty of clearance

[ebshingleton]

So I didn’t know that a ultra light 5th wheel is made for 1/2 ton trucks and the manufacturers say that is why it sits high on my 2500. I went and look and the sub frame that was suggested and for a 4 to 6 inch lift that is needed I’m looking at about 3k. Went to Blue Dog RV to see if they will cover the cost seeming how they let me drive off the lot looking like a rocket truck ready to launch.

[ebshingleton]

What are they doing to fix the problems? Would like to see if it’s something I can get my deal to fix. Talked to some people who said it would be really bad if I was to store water or stuff in it because all the water and weight is all going to shift to the rear.

[bowler1]

My dealer did the same and I too am a bit pissed about it. But I am taking it back there to let them fix it

[ebshingleton]

I can move the pin box I have two holes left in the top. The hitch is at its lowest setting. I will have to check for anything else that might help. Just love how the dealership sent me out with it like this with no help

[Super_Dave]

ebshingleton wrote:
Ok so now I think I have add the pic to my profile. if you can take a look and tell me what all of you think. Thanks

My signature picture is when I picked it up from the dealer. I felt it was too nose high. I lowered my Andersen hitch to its lowest setting, took all the air out of my bags and filled my front belly storage with gear. I'm now just a hair high and happy with where it is riding. Your picture looks like there won't be an easy fix. Raising the pin would definitely be a start.

[MFL]

ebshingleton wrote:
Ok so now I think I have add the pic to my profile. if you can take a look and tell me what all of you think. Thanks

The pic is not the best, but IMO, you are too nose-high, and some type of correction should be considered.

You will want to maintain 6"s of bed rail clearance. That being said, can you lower the hitch? Can you raise the pin box? Do you have any extra holes in the spring hangers to adjust for height?

Other than these easier adjustments you can use methods mentioned above, such as correct track, or having a subframe added.



Ebshingleton's pic

Jerry

[azrving]

ebshingleton wrote:
over at blue dog RV they had no clue what to do with it. Is this the new problem? New trucks and 5th wheels not matching up when it comes to hieght

It happens with taller trucks. It's not a complex problem though it may seem like it at first. As I said earlier, pull the rig up onto wood blocks until it's level. At that point you can measure the bedrail clearance and the thickness of the wood blocks that you put have put under the RV tires. If the rail clearance is wrong you have to make changes in the pin height.

When the pin height changes you then have to change the rig height, for example if you moved the pin down to gain bed rail clearance you now have to put more wood under the rigs tires to compensate for that and make it level again.

When it's sitting there and the bed rail clearance is where you want it and you have put whatever amount of wood under the rig tires to make it level, that amount wood is how much you have to raise the fifth wheel. Sometimes it can be combination of a few small things.

In other cases it might be an axle flip which usually accomplishes about 5 to 6 in or another way is to add a subframe.

Then when you get done doing all that the stairs may be too high and the stabilizer too short. I went to extra-long stabilizers and a four-step torque lift step instead of a three-step.

[bowler1]

That’s what mine looked like leaving the dealer! Way too high. Dealer said it would be fine with some weight in it. Not true

[ebshingleton]

Ok so now I think I have add the pic to my profile. if you can take a look and tell me what all of you think. Thanks

[ebshingleton]

I've been trying to add a pic so you can see how bad it really is. The site is making it hard for me to add it. I can tell you the back end looks like it wants to hit the ground if i hit the wrong bump in the street. Pic now in profile not the best but it's all that it would let me post

[Passage0ftime]

"Dealer set it up pretty nose high despite claiming it was okay and telling me that it would level out with so weight in it."

I don't want to impugn the good dealers and mechanics out there, but this sounds like a weak answer giving him/her an easy out on an issue. I get a little leery when I hear a salesman say "it will be fine IF." or it doesn't look all that bad." How much effort did he put into leveling it? Had your check cleared before he said that?

To be fair, he may very well have done the best he could without some major mods. I have heard some say that the 2018 Rams sit higher that the stock suspension of previous years. I believe they also come with dashboard controls that the driver can use to adjust ride height, ostensibly to increase ground clearance when needed, and "active four corner leveling", which may be their catch phrase for the adjustable height.
You did state your suspension is stock, but consider these issues before making expensive mods to the RV. Just a suggestion. Everyone is talking about adjusting the trailer. That may be trying to fix the wrong issue.

[rhagfo]

MFL wrote:
Looking at pics, I'd still adjust pin box. With a helper, it is not a big job, and closer to level is always best, if you have ample bed rail clearance.

Jerry

Your PU tailgate is the only helper you need to adjust the pinbox. You can walk into position using the front legs and leaving front or rear bolts in place loosely.