rhagfo wrote:rhagfo wrote:Blazing Zippers wrote:
The new Ram I bought is one of those high trucks where the fifth wheel trailer is raised up quite a bit in front when hooked up.
What have any of you folks done to raise your trailer? Blocks between the springs and axles, extended shackles, etc??
My auto levelers jacks in back are pretty low, and I know someday, I'll drag them off on something expensive. The trailer sits nose high enough to be really noticed, and I can't lower the pin into the bed any lower without hitting the bed sides when turning.
Thanks
A picture is worth 1,00 words.
back of pin box hitting bed sides how extended is your pin box, what is the clearance from 5er to top of bed rail.
How far does it appear to be high?
Options to raise are;
#1. IF axles are currently above the springs, do an axle "flip" (already mentioned). This will gain you the diameter of the axle plus twice the distance the spring perch sets above the axle.
#2. if only a couple inches need install a Correct Track system, this will gain you 2" at the axles.
#3 if neither of these will raise it enough you will need to have a sub-frame built.
To determine the amount of lift you need do the following;
Find an empty level parking lot.
With the 5er loaded and in tow, pull into the lot and stop.
Measure the distance to the top of the bed rail at the pin location (rear axle). In your case add the needed distance from bed rail to bottom of 5er, Call this Measurment1. (when there is no pin box to side rail clearance issue, this would be distance from ground to top of bed rail, and 6" for clearance).
Now, drop the 5er right there, pull TV clear and level the 5er. Now measure to the distance to the bottom of the 5er at the pin (same point as before), call this Measurment2. Now take Measurment1 - Measurment2 equals the distance you need to raise the 5er. You need to be aware you don't want to lift so much that the top of the 5er is taller than 13'-6".
Well checking back in, have you had an opportunity to see just how far out of level you are????
I just spent better part of two days washing and waxing our 32' 5er. So on the way back to the storage yard, I stopped by a local light industrial park with a level parking lot. I pulled up and put a level on the frame of the 5er, and it was level!!
I have always wanted to get the 5er to level when towing. Well now I have the 5er level, and the TV is still a bit tail high.
The last step I did was install the correct track system, for lift, and alignment if needed. I have just under 7' of clearance at the bed rail and Tail Gate.
Here is what I added and what the final product looks like.
That looks perfect front to back. Good job on setting it up!
Rich
rhagfo wrote:Blazing Zippers wrote:
The new Ram I bought is one of those high trucks where the fifth wheel trailer is raised up quite a bit in front when hooked up.
What have any of you folks done to raise your trailer? Blocks between the springs and axles, extended shackles, etc??
My auto levelers jacks in back are pretty low, and I know someday, I'll drag them off on something expensive. The trailer sits nose high enough to be really noticed, and I can't lower the pin into the bed any lower without hitting the bed sides when turning.
Thanks
A picture is worth 1,00 words.
back of pin box hitting bed sides how extended is your pin box, what is the clearance from 5er to top of bed rail.
How far does it appear to be high?
Options to raise are;
#1. IF axles are currently above the springs, do an axle "flip" (already mentioned). This will gain you the diameter of the axle plus twice the distance the spring perch sets above the axle.
#2. if only a couple inches need install a Correct Track system, this will gain you 2" at the axles.
#3 if neither of these will raise it enough you will need to have a sub-frame built.
To determine the amount of lift you need do the following;
Find an empty level parking lot.
With the 5er loaded and in tow, pull into the lot and stop.
Measure the distance to the top of the bed rail at the pin location (rear axle). In your case add the needed distance from bed rail to bottom of 5er, Call this Measurment1. (when there is no pin box to side rail clearance issue, this would be distance from ground to top of bed rail, and 6" for clearance).
Now, drop the 5er right there, pull TV clear and level the 5er. Now measure to the distance to the bottom of the 5er at the pin (same point as before), call this Measurment2. Now take Measurment1 - Measurment2 equals the distance you need to raise the 5er. You need to be aware you don't want to lift so much that the top of the 5er is taller than 13'-6".
Well checking back in, have you had an opportunity to see just how far out of level you are????
I just spent better part of two days washing and waxing our 32' 5er. So on the way back to the storage yard, I stopped by a local light industrial park with a level parking lot. I pulled up and put a level on the frame of the 5er, and it was level!!
I have always wanted to get the 5er to level when towing. Well now I have the 5er level, and the TV is still a bit tail high.
The last step I did was install the correct track system, for lift, and alignment if needed. I have just under 7" of clearance at the bed rail and Tail Gate.
You might also note that I also have heavy duty shackles and wet bolts.
Here is what I added and what the final product looks like.
