Now what? My latest TV is too tall....

[PNW_Steve]

Hey Everyone,

I made a trip across the state to pick up my little 5er. It has been parked for a while and we have been using it as "guest quarters" for the last year.

It donned on me as we got on the road that I have never pulled that 5er with this particular TV.

It doesn't fit......

My first though was "No problem, we can flip the axles".... Allready flipped.

I know that if I jack the front up enough that I MAY be able to hook up. If I am REALLY lucky that I may gain enough clearance that I won't punch holes in my 5er with my pickup bed. Can I safely and comfortably tow at that far out of level?

Suggestions as to how to safely raise the trailer?

Thanks.

S.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

It could be converted into a bumper pull trailer...

[PNW_Steve]

rhagfo wrote:

PNW_Steve wrote:
It is not an optical illusion.

For a "minimum" fit I need to raise the trailer 6". 8" would be better.

I don't know that lifting it that far might not bring about new problems. The trailer has already had the axels flipped.

Some questions;

Bed height from ground to top of bed, if less than 60" you are not too tall.

The 5er looks really low the distance from the ground ours was 37" before our final 2" lift.
I would not use blocks between the axle and spring, looks like a sub frame lift.

My best recollection is that it was 64" but I am not certain of that. The trailer is 250 miles away right now. Cant reach that far to measure again 🙂

This particular trailer is on the low side and the truck is definitely taller than my last one.

I made the (BAD) assumption that since the new truck has a 5th wheel hitch that is just like the one on the old truck that I would be fine.

I was wrong....

I can hook up to my big 5er without a problem but my little one is the one that gets the miles. As much as I love my bigger 5er with 3 slides and the goodies my old beater sees more travel. It is just comfortable and easy. "Low drag".....

[rhagfo]

PNW_Steve wrote:
It is not an optical illusion.

For a "minimum" fit I need to raise the trailer 6". 8" would be better.

I don't know that lifting it that far might not bring about new problems. The trailer has already had the axels flipped.

Some questions;

Bed height from ground to top of bed, if less than 60" you are not too tall.

The 5er looks really low the distance from the ground ours was 37" before our final 2" lift.
I would not use blocks between the axle and spring, looks like a sub frame lift.

[PNW_Steve]

It is not an optical illusion.

For a "minimum" fit I need to raise the trailer 6". 8" would be better.

I don't know that lifting it that far might not bring about new problems. The trailer has already had the axels flipped.

[alaska511]

PNW_Steve wrote:

Holy cow! That is either an optical illusion, or the lowest pin height I have ever seen.

Good luck, brother

[LIKE2BUILD]

PNW_Steve wrote:

Still considering my options but selling the truck is at the top of the list until I change my mind again.....

2004.5 Dodge 3500 - 5.9 Cummins - 6 speed manual - Aprox 150k miles.

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
That's one of the best trucks. I would not sell it. You will regret selling it..

If the 22.5's are the problem, you could switch to 19.5's and shorter tires (32-34"). There really is no reason to have 22.5's on a pickup anyways. That size tires' high weight rating can never be used to anywhere near their full extent with a pickup. 19.5's have plenty high weight rating for anything a pickup can carry.

You will most definitely regret selling the truck. That truck has many, many, many years of service left in it. you won't find anything comparable for a reasonable price to replace it.

As SoCal said, 22.5's are waaaayyy more than you need. Dropping to a smaller wheel and tire will still give you more capacity than you need.

KJ

[time2roll]

You need a '92 truck to go with that 1992 trailer. The look will gel better too.

Fixing up an old truck will be a better investment. Nice 3/4 or 1-ton srw should be fine.

[Dayle1]

PNW_Steve wrote:


Do I want to spend $1600 to modify it so that I can pull it with this truck and likely kill any remaining resale value that is left in the trailer?

Could you pull a trailer that is been raised around 10 inches from stock with your truck?

I could also build a custom flatbed that would fix the problem.

2004.5 Dodge 3500 - 5.9 Cummins - 6 speed manual - Aprox 150k miles.

That fiver has limited resale value anyway and an modern pickup will have at least some height issue, so I say either add a sub-frame and longer steps or put a flatbed on the truck. Which ever you like best.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

That's one of the best trucks. I would not sell it. You will regret selling it..

If the 22.5's are the problem, you could switch to 19.5's and shorter tires (32-34"). There really is no reason to have 22.5's on a pickup anyways. That size tires' high weight rating can never be used to anywhere near their full extent with a pickup. 19.5's have plenty high weight rating for anything a pickup can carry.

Bradford Built and B&W both make very nice hauler style beds. If you want a flatbed, there are a zillion companies that make those, in a wide range of prices.

[PNW_Steve]

musicman54 wrote:
find someone you trust that can weld and have them put a sub frame on we had the same problem and it worked great for our big 5er

I considered that.

It is an older slightly beat up trailer. It is comfortable for me but it is not fancy.

Do I want to spend $1600 to modify it so that I can pull it with this truck and likely kill any remaining resale value that is left in the trailer?

Could you pull a trailer that is been raised around 10 inches from stock with your truck?

I love the look of this truck with the Alcoa's & 22.5's. It just is not practical for 5er pulling.

I could also build a custom flatbed that would fix the problem.


Still considering my options but selling the truck is at the top of the list until I change my mind again.....


2004.5 Dodge 3500 - 5.9 Cummins - 6 speed manual - Aprox 150k miles.

[musicman54]

find someone you trust that can weld and have them put a sub frame on we had the same problem and it worked great for our big 5er

[PNW_Steve]

Thanks Everyone for the suggestions.

I wound up leaving the trailer behind. I am having thoughts of selling the truck and buying something smaller. I really hate to as I do love the Alcoa'a. Unfortunately that is the root of my problem.

[laknox]

The only way to =safely= raise your FW to the height you need, is to add a sub-frame between the FW frame and the suspension. If your truck has lift blocks, you could take them out to lower the truck some.

Lyle

[SoCalDesertRid1]

I agree that multi-axle trailers have alot of side forces on the wheels when turning. Probably not a good idea to use tall lift blocks under the springs, for that reason, or extended length spring hanger brackets either. A sub-frame lift would be the better solution for sure.

That truck would look great with a nice flatbed with under boxes or a hauler style bed...