Tow leveling

[Seattle_Lion]

Yesterday, we went to our dealer to test hitch our Bighorn. We can't take it home due to all the rain here flooding our side yard where we will park it. This is our first FW. We have a 2014 F350 with a Companion hitch.

When we hitched up, the truck barely went down. With the landing gear up, the truck sits dead level. The trailer is slightly nose up. We clear the rails by 8 1/2 inches. I asked if we should lower the hitch. The tech said no, the trailer will go down when we add some water. We have transferred a lot of our stuff from our old TT before hitching. We probably have another 300 lbs. to add.

What do you think?

[laknox]

valhalla360 wrote:
I'll give a different take:

Can you have them adjust the trailer axles to raise the trailer? It may be putting the axles below the bracket or some brackets have more than one mounting hole to allow for some adjustment.

While 6" is considered acceptable, it's nice to have a little extra room to play with when you the trailer starts tilting to one side.

YES! If you've got a hole to drop on the spring hangars, that's your first choice, IMO. You gain a level trailer =and= you keep a more desirable bed clearance.

Lyle

[Jerry_B]

I have my lashup level. Better for Camp Walmart overnighting.

[valhalla360]

I'll give a different take:

Can you have them adjust the trailer axles to raise the trailer? It may be putting the axles below the bracket or some brackets have more than one mounting hole to allow for some adjustment.

While 6" is considered acceptable, it's nice to have a little extra room to play with when you the trailer starts tilting to one side.

[AZ_T_T]

I would rather tow a little nose high and have the extra bed clearance. You never know when you will find yourself in a situation where those extra couple inches will be the difference in hitting or not hitting the bed.

[Winged_One]

B.Sjulestad wrote:
Congratulations on your new rig. I really like the wood beam ceiling in that model. I agree with the others about lowering the hitch to bring your rail clearance to about 6" which should make the 5vr close to level. Good luck and happy camping.

+1

[JIMNLIN]

I always load the truck and trailer first and then I make a decision on how the combo meets my needs.

[grampscamper]

I would agree with others. Level is best. I know when mine was 2" high in the front it didn't handle as well. You have lots of clearance to do so.

[MFL]

If you are an inch nose high, I'd leave it. If any more than that, I'd lower it, since you have plenty of bed rail clearance.

My fresh water is over the axles, as I think many are. The reason for that, is to not add extra pin weight.

Hope you get that flooding under control!! I'm sure you are anxious to get it home.

Jerry

[Shepherd]

You'll be fine, but parking it at home in a flood zone? I would find higher ground. :C

[laknox]

Seattle Lion wrote:
Yesterday, we went to our dealer to test hitch our Bighorn. We can't take it home due to all the rain here flooding our side yard where we will park it. This is our first FW. We have a 2014 F350 with a Companion hitch.

When we hitched up, the truck barely went down. With the landing gear up, the truck sits dead level. The trailer is slightly nose up. We clear the rails by 8 1/2 inches. I asked if we should lower the hitch. The tech said no, the trailer will go down when we add some water. We have transferred a lot of our stuff from our old TT before hitching. We probably have another 300 lbs. to add.

What do you think?

How much is "slightly nose up"? 2-3"? I wouldn't worry about it. You're pretty likely to reduce that once you're loaded for the road, especially if you are carrying any water. I'm in the same situation and, if I dropped a single hole on my Companion, I'd have several cracks in my FW and crushed bed rails after one trip to our usual camping spot. I tow about 2-3" nose high.

Lyle

[B_Sjulestad]

Congratulations on your new rig. I really like the wood beam ceiling in that model. I agree with the others about lowering the hitch to bring your rail clearance to about 6" which should make the 5vr close to level. Good luck and happy camping.

[ScottG]

Much better on the tires and suspension if it's closer to level. I would lower it to give 6" of clearance. There really is no down side to doing so.

[rhagfo]

X3 to lower the nose, if you can I would leave the hitch at the same height, and raise the pin box.

[Old-Biscuit]

The more level the trailer the better the towing.

Slightly nose high and 8 1/2" bedrail clearance.....I'd lower it to level