Leveling without disconnecting

[GaryS1953]

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?

[GaryS1953]

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]

Can the truck be lowered? Maybe a combination of raising the trailer and lowering the truck.

[MarkTwain]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Old school. A couple of 2x8s.

[memtb]

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]

Getting the trailer level is the best solution. But if that is not doable, you might consider the Andersen levelers.

[rhagfo]

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!

[Dave_H_M]

in the meantime, VeeBee has the answer. No biggie.

[Old-Biscuit]

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.

[MarkTwain]

5th. wheel--- Reverse the springs on the trailer axles.

[Veebyes]

Nobody is going to give you a ticket for unhooking to get comphy at Walmart. Just unhook, pull the truck forward a little so that nobody tries to take you for a ride in the middle of the night.