Theres been a lot of talk on here about raising a fifth wheel to get more clearance on the bed rails of the newer model pickups. So I have just under 5 inches of clearance and have not had a problem yet. My question to you DIY rv'ers is, can the suspension on the Rockwood be raised. It appears to be the same suspension as one of my horse trailers, which were Dexter torque flex. There are no leaf springs. Since my front is a little high I am thinking, if possible I should raise the trailer maybe 3 inches or so, leveling it out and getting a little more clearance. All my info on the 5er burned in a house fire so I have no referances. The 5er pulls great as is but I am afraid at some point I will get too unlevel an clip the bed rails.

I don't know why you couldn't just add three inch tubing to where your suspension attaches to the frame, and reconnect the suspension to the tubing.I have a tandem axle 26' long enclosed snowmobile trailer, with Dexter rubber torsion suspension. It does not look to be a hard job on mine, if it needed to be raised.Jerry

Years ago I had a different brand with torsion axles and needed to lift it. I purchased a lift kit directly from the trailer manufacturer. It was two lengths of steel tube and four flat steel plates with pre-drilled holes. The axles were unbolted from the frame, and the flat plates bolted in their place. The tubes were then spot welded to the bottom of the frame. Finally the axles were bolted to the second set of holes in the plates. This was a 4 inch lift as I recall. Any good welder can fabricate the needed parts, just no welding to the axle assemblies, bolts only.

Being in the same boat, so to speak, I contacted Dexter and had several conversations with one of the techs. They used to offer a kit for raising the trailer, but no longer recommend it. He didn't say why, but I assume maybe problems with side loading issues and strength of bracket on axle. Also you can't weld axle to beef up bracket because of the torsion rubber inside. He recommended new axles with more down angle on the wheel stubs to raise the trailer. I looked at the axles and think there's probably a way to raise them with some proper engineering and fabrication. I just don't want to burn my warranty. My clearance is a little over 5 inches and my rear axle weight is getting close to max, so will keep an eye on everything. I was hoping the stupid truck would squat more, so will just load the trailer accordingly.

I have Dexter TorFlex axles on my Norco engineered frame. One advantage of the TorFlex is the axle can serve as a structural frame cross member. My guess, due to the extra cost, my frame needs those axles right where they are for support. I would be hesitant to mess with them.

randygk wrote: He recommended new axles with more down angle on the wheel stubs to raise the trailer. I looked at the axles and think there's probably a way to raise them with some proper engineering and fabrication. I just don't want to burn my warranty. My clearance is a little over 5 inches and my rear axle weight is getting close to max, so will keep an eye on everything. I was hoping the stupid truck would squat more, so will just load the trailer accordingly.This is what I am afraid of, also insurance issues if the project isn't engineered. I would buy new axles but the cost of installing makes it prohibitive for me. Not something I could do at my age and without proper tools. I would assume everything would need to be realigned. I would do it as Doyle1 recommended if it were a light trailer without a lot of load. Probably just try to be careful. We seldom if ever get off the road but if something happens it will be pulling out of a fuel stop with a steep piitch.Thanks all for your great responses. Every one is worth consideration.

Rockwood suspension | Good Sam Community

mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 31, 2016
randygk wrote:
Do yourself a favor, when loaded for camping weigh each axle. On the torsion type suspension if the nose of the trailer sits high, there will be more weight on the rear axle. Make sure you're within limits.

I do plan on doing that. We are pretty light travellers, if it doesn't fit in the front storage compartment it stays home. I try not to travel with more than a quarter tank of fresh water, just enough for a few flushes. Both black tanks and grey and galley tanks are always nearly empty. I do imagine we are very close but I have not weighed the axles seperately. I think I will find some scales next week and do that. Good suggestion. Thanks
randygk
Explorer
Mar 31, 2016
Do yourself a favor, when loaded for camping weigh each axle. On the torsion type suspension if the nose of the trailer sits high, there will be more weight on the rear axle. Make sure you're within limits.
mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 29, 2016
Today I installed the hitch in the truck and hooked up to the 5er. I took measurements of the whole setup. It appears I have been more concerned than necessary. Measurements showed loaded clearance right at 6 inchs at the bed rails, 7" out of level, (4 degrees). front is 34-1/2" and rear is 27-1/2". That is measured from the moulding strip that runs the length of the rv. Truck squats 1-3/4". I don't know why the measurements from last year were so far off. I will remeasure on our first trip this spring, after everything settles in a bit. I will plan on tire upgrade this fall to Load range D just in case the rear axle has a little more weight on it.

Thanks all for the great info, I learned a lot. HAPPY RV'ING
mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016
tinner12002 wrote:
I would drop your hitch on the rv down to the next hole to get your added bed clearence. 3-4in out of level...certainly nothing I would worry about!!

I don't know if I said something mis-leading here. It is quite a bit more than 4" out of level. I need two inches if possible at the bed rails but the back of the trailer could easily come up 8 to 10 inches without throwing it into a nose low attitude. It pulls great the way it is but ajustments certainly would improve things.

After doing some measurements on the truck, fifth wheel hitch, addapter and pin box it seems I am out about 14inchs, front to back.

I will be hooking up to the trailer later in the week to do the appropriate measurements in actual towing condition.
tinner12002
Explorer
Mar 26, 2016
I would drop your hitch on the rv down to the next hole to get your added bed clearence. 3-4in out of level...certainly nothing I would worry about!! Yes level would be ideal in a perfect world but with trucks being built higher you can only do so much to get to that ideal spot. I pulled a 30ft 8in out of level for a year until I was able to raise it with some susp blocks...still out of level some but never any issues either way!
mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 26, 2016
After a few days off to wade through Turbo Tax I am back on the axle issue. I did find a lift kit at etrailer for about $170 which will take care of both axles. Just waiting until Monday to discuss it with Forest River. Dont know as yet for sure which axles I have. I thought they were #11 but not so sure now since I have no literature on them.
randygk
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
My 8528IKWS looks very similar in weight to your trailer. Mine has # 10F axles.
Replacement axles less hubs, bearings,and brakes were about $ 1500 not installed
(I was told they bolt right up).
There's a store in west Sacramento for Dexter.
mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
I contacted Dexter today and if I can discover the model of the axle, they will see if they make a lift kit for it. You have to deal with a distributor and the local one does not do repairs, only sells parts. I think it is a #11 but not sure. If the rain ever stops I will go get under it and see what it is. If its a model #11 it still has 2 years left on the warranty. If that doesn't produce info I will call Rockwood. They can at least tell me the model axle.

I am sure Rockwood will suggest new axles with greater start angle, which are not in the budget at this time.
randygk
Explorer
Mar 21, 2016
These are the kits I was told NOT to use. Let me know if you get different info.
Also, make sure you give them axle numbers. Maybe your axles are different and you could use the lift kits.
mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 21, 2016
DHCamper wrote:
Here is a link for the Dexter catalog Torflex lift kits. You will probably have to call them to insure you get the right parts. Seems pretty straight forward for the install.

Thank you for this. I will be calling them tomorrow. They have a facility 7 miles from me.

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