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Dwight45's avatar
Dwight45
Explorer
Mar 31, 2017

New truck for toy hauler

I'm thinking about updating my tow vehicle. I see that the newer trucks have a 21.3" bed side height. My truck has a 19" bed side height. This takes away 2" in clearance between the top of the bed side and the camper. I have about 6" of clearance right now and it's barely enough to get into my parking spot. If I lower the hitch on the camper to get those 2" back then my camper won't tow level. Same problem if I raised the truck hitch. Any advice on this?
Thanks
Dwight
  • We have been trying to figure what we are going to do as well.
    Our new truck sits so much higher than last truck and we are at about 3 inches but tows pretty level.

    Our 5er sits at 13'4'' right now so axle flip is out of the question.
  • Nicholsfamily05 wrote:
    We have been trying to figure what we are going to do as well.
    Our new truck sits so much higher than last truck and we are at about 3 inches but tows pretty level.

    Our 5er sits at 13'4'' right now so axle flip is out of the question.


    I wouldn't be surprised if the axles are already flipped on your trailer. Seems like many of the TH are coming that way now days. I know my 2013 Fuzion came from the factory with the axles flipped.
  • How long is your toy hauler? Maybe the 2" off level won't really matter enough to worry about?
  • Steve76eb wrote:
    Nicholsfamily05 wrote:
    We have been trying to figure what we are going to do as well.
    Our new truck sits so much higher than last truck and we are at about 3 inches but tows pretty level.

    Our 5er sits at 13'4'' right now so axle flip is out of the question.


    I wouldn't be surprised if the axles are already flipped on your trailer. Seems like many of the TH are coming that way now days. I know my 2013 Fuzion came from the factory with the axles flipped.


    Well you peaked my interests so had to look and wouldn't you know already done. Huh
  • The axles aren't actually "flipped", nor are they "rotated"

    The spring perch is mount atop the axle instead of on the bottom.

    Converting is called "spring over axle" conversion. Dexter makes a kit to do it with.
  • My 5th wheel toy hauler is 32' long. It already sets higher than I'd like.

    Dwight
  • What kind of truck do you have Dwight? What the guys are doing with the new taller 2017 Ford's if necessary, is lowering the back end of the truck a bit. The standard suspension block across the board for 2017 is now 3.5" and there is a company making them to all custom heights down to 1.5". I am also out of adjustment with my new 2017 but think I'll just make it depending on the truck's rear squat when hooked up. If I don't make it, I'll swap out to a shorter block. Here's a link to the company. These guys only do Ford though...

    Precision Metal Fab
  • I had the same problem, went from a 2003 Silverado 2500 HD to a 2015 GMC 3500 dually. Not only were the sides of the bed taller by about an inch, but the bed of the truck was higher off of the ground by about an inch and a half. In order to keep my toy hauler nearly level when towing, I had to lower the hitch a notch and ended up with only about 4 inches clearance between the trailer and bed rails (not enough). After some research I ended up having the old spring shackles cut off of the frame and 2 inch square tubing added, then remounting new spring shackles on the new tubing. Also had cross bracing added between the new frame mounted tubing. My axles were already below the springs, so "axle flipping" was not possible. Trailer is now level when towing, and I have just under 6 inches of clearance between the bed rails and the trailer. I looked at using the billet aluminum spacer blocks being sold by a Canadian company, but I was not comfortable using those on a 15,000 lb., 35 foot long toy hauler. Probably fine for a lighter, smaller trailer. Not too many options out there short of removing the bed and replacing it with a flat bed.
  • I went with the Cab and Chassis and a flat bed
    thaat way I could haul my SXS to trails the Dodge
    3500 Cab& Chassis is rated at 30160# With the asian
    trans and410 gears. Cab & Chassis also has 52gal fuel tank.
  • I had to raise my hitch one "notch" on mine, trailer is about 1" higher in front than back, not enough to bother anything, tows great but would like an inch or two more bed clearance, have to be careful but not been a problem............yet!