Forum Discussion

Badhabit's avatar
Badhabit
Explorer
Jul 15, 2014

Raising trailer

We have an older 24' Cobra fifth wheel and have two questions. I need to raise the trailer another four inches as we bought another truck and it is 4" taller than the old one. This is needed to level it out and the axles are flipped already. I can do this in one of two ways. I can build a subframe and raise it or I could just build leveling blocks and go with longer U bolts. the second option is a lot less work. One the leveling blocks, I was thinking about a triangular brace to the axle to take the side stress out of it. What is your opinion. Something else that may enter into this is, We are planning on pulling a Chev Tracker behind this trailer so a subframe may be better. I keep going back and forth on this and change my mind about 3 times a day, so I thought I would go for some more input. thanks in advance. FYI we are towing with a 02 F350 7.3 Powerstroke.

Harold
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jul 16, 2014
    AZ T&T wrote:
    Go with the subframe. That's what I did 2 1/2 years ago. I would be afraid of the side to side pressure while turning using blocks.


    Also, add cross-bracing between the sub-frames, similar to the Lippert frame-cracking "fix" kit.

    Lyle
  • Wet_Coast's avatar
    Wet_Coast
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2014
    Ditto, Between adding the largest 14" tires I could source, flipping the axles and adding a chunk of 2X4 steel tubing lengthwise to the frame rails, I raised the trailer a foot over stock to fit on to the Dodge 3500. Just so happens, it's great for the logging roads of Vancouver Island. Makes things a lot easier for getting into the bush.

    I just happen to have buddy with a machine shop, so, for me it was really easy. I took the trailer to him and he did most of the work!
  • alfresco's avatar
    alfresco
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    I had to do the same when I traded trucks, except I had to raise it 6 inches. I had a machine shop put a subframe somewhat longer than the outside ends of the spring hangers, with a brace in between the two front and rear. Solved the problem.

    I also have another 5th utility trailer. I bought the materials and did this job myself. No problem.
  • AZ_T_T's avatar
    AZ_T_T
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    Go with the subframe. That's what I did 2 1/2 years ago. I would be afraid of the side to side pressure while turning using blocks.
  • bpounds's avatar
    bpounds
    Nomad
    Jul 15, 2014
    That 4" is simply too much for blocks. And I'm not totally against ever using blocks, but something like 1.5" or 2" max. No way would I go with 4" blocks.

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