We have a small 5th wheel that tows with the front too high for us to park and sleep in the camper without unhooking and leveling. In most cases that is fine, but if we want to overnight at a Walmart or other such place we are really in uncomfortable unhooking from the tow vehicle. I was thinking of some sort of small ramps that I could put under the wheels and pull up on them to raise the rear of the camper. Ideally I would always park on a slope, but usually don't have that option. Can anyone recommend some small inexpensive ramps that could raise the camper 8 inches, and will last more than a couple of uses?

Another option would be to get a set of these: Click here.Bring along some lumber you can stack up under the end of the ramp (8-12 inches high). Leave the other end on the ground. Back the trailer onto the ramp. Reason for several pieces of lumber, is so you can customize the height as high as you want or need to, or as low as you want to. Easy way to do it.(If it were me, that's what I'd do.)

DutchmenSport wrote:These? Click here.RhinoRamps are made of plastic and could collapse due to unequal stresses if used on any surface other than asphalt or concrete. Mine can hold up to 3000 lbs per wheel. Their length might be a problem. They are about 36" long and raise the vehicle about 6". There is a heavy duty version that is rated at 4000 lbs per wheel.

The Rhynoramps are kind of what I was thinking, small, lightweight, and quick and easy to grasp and stick in front of or behind the wheels. As I have 4 wheels I guess I'd need 2 sets. These of course would be used on asphalt parking lots like Walmart & such. Just not sure they will be high enough or how well they would hold up.

Towing unlevel would really bother me.

Leveling without disconnecting | Good Sam Community

GaryS1953
Explorer
Mar 06, 2017
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the good advice. We went ahead and had the axle flipped, gaining about 5 and 1/2 inches, which seems to have us pretty close to level, so my initial SWAG guess was a little off. Got the wheels repacked and had the brakes checked while we were there, for a total of $410. Really appreciate everyone's input.
PhoneDude_8289
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
Can the truck be lowered? Maybe a combination of raising the trailer and lowering the truck.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
GaryS1953 wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
djgarcia wrote:
5th. wheel--- Reverse the springs on the trailer axles.

Wow, I had no idea such a thing was even possible. I Googled a couple of articles and Youtube videos's, realized it was well beyond my capabilities, and figured it was also outside of my price range, especially considering the age of the 5th wheel. Then I made a phone call to a local hitch place that has worked on my brakes before, and installed the 5th wheel hitch from my old truck to my new one. They knew EXACTLY what I was talking about and suggested it would only cost between $250 and $350!! That should give me around 5", which is not enough, but a lot better. I will be taking it in to them in the next couple of days to let them have a look. Maybe they'll have some other ideas to give me a little more height.

Thanks everyone so much for all the great info.

Just an additional thought, I would check with your RV shop who installed your hitch to make sure you have the right hitch for your truck and trailer. For safety reasons and driving control the trailer should be level when hitched up.
GaryS1953
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
rhagfo wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
djgarcia wrote:
5th. wheel--- Reverse the springs on the trailer axles.

Wow, I had no idea such a thing was even possible. I Googled a couple of articles and Youtube videos's, realized it was well beyond my capabilities, and figured it was also outside of my price range, especially considering the age of the 5th wheel. Then I made a phone call to a local hitch place that has worked on my brakes before, and installed the 5th wheel hitch from my old truck to my new one. They knew EXACTLY what I was talking about and suggested it would only cost between $250 and $350!! That should give me around 5", which is not enough, but a lot better. I will be taking it in to them in the next couple of days to let them have a look. Maybe they'll have some other ideas to give me a little more height.

Thanks everyone so much for all the great info.
laknox
Nomad
Feb 27, 2017
GaryS1953 wrote:
We have a small 5th wheel that tows with the front too high for us to park and sleep in the camper without unhooking and leveling. In most cases that is fine, but if we want to overnight at a Walmart or other such place we are really in uncomfortable unhooking from the tow vehicle. I was thinking of some sort of small ramps that I could put under the wheels and pull up on them to raise the rear of the camper. Ideally I would always park on a slope, but usually don't have that option. Can anyone recommend some small inexpensive ramps that could raise the camper 8 inches, and will last more than a couple of uses?

8 INCHES!? You need to address the unlevel towing, big time. Not only does it produce extra stress on the suspension and tires, if you run with the fridge on, you risk of destroying the cooling system. Also, if you have < 6" clearance over the truck bed, you run the risk of hitting the rear bed corners.

Lyle
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2017
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Old school. A couple of 2x8s.
A couple? He's going to need more than 4 on each side to raise it 8 inches.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2017
Old school. A couple of 2x8s.
memtb
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
Level towing is very important. Not only will it be more stable while towing, but you're transferring more weight to the trailing axle. A potential for overloading/overheating the tires! memtb
BB_TX
Nomad
Feb 26, 2017
Getting the trailer level is the best solution. But if that is not doable, you might consider the Andersen levelers.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2017
Old-Biscuit wrote:
djgarcia wrote:
5th. wheel--- Reverse the springs on the trailer axles.

Exactly.......
Instead of 'band-aid fixes' get the 5th wheel level when towing

Nose high (enough that YOU are uncomfortable when using bed) is not a good situation.
Lighter pin weight, rear tires/axle/suspension stresses.

Do what is necessary to level the 5th wheel when towing

An axle flip....change leaf springs form under axles to on top of axles IF they are not already on top

If leaf springs are already on top of axles then do a subframe light

Goggle both to fully understand

But towing NOSE HIGH is not proper and needs to be corrected.

X3 or so!
There nothing good about towing nose high!

Make it level you will enjoy the tow a lot more!