Towing a 5'r with a 4X4

[GertiesTravels]

We are looking for a new (to us)TV and would like to go with a 2500 4x4 crew cab short bed to tow our Cruiser. We are looking in the 2008 to 2011 range and got a Big shock at the height of the rails on these trucks! Fords seem to run about 57 inches and Chevy/GMC or Dodge are hovering in the 60" range. Problem is our 5'r is 58" under the nose and I have already done the axle flip.Surely people must be hauling 5'rs with 4x4's, how is it done?
Any advise would be surely appreciated.
Thanks
Jim D

[garyp4951]

FWIW when I towed a little nose high I never had chucking, but with new hitch being set lower, and towing level, I've noticed some chucking on rough roads.

[Shepherd]

The bed rails are higher. I had a level kit installed on the tow vehicle.:C

[oldbeek]

The newer trucks are getting taller. Install a flat bed and flip your springs back to stock. The whole rig will tow better with lots of bed clearance.

[waltbennett]

kroghville wrote:
WE pull a Montana with a 2011 F-350 SRW and it tows level. No Problem!!!

Ditto (but older truck!)
!

[Beaker]

Surely people must be hauling 5'rs with 4x4's, how is it done?

Don't know about now but when I bought mine there was no difference to speak of between 4x2 and 4x4.

[Poppy_s_5th_Whe]

Shadow_Grey wrote:
The whole deal before was to get the trailer as level as possable because the axles were supported independantly to the frame. If too low or too high in the front the trailer would transfer more of weight to the front or rear tire possably overloading them. Today most all trailers have a equialized suspension meaning there is a pivot point that the rear of the front spring and the front of the rear spring are tied together. This allows the front tire and the rear tire to carry the load equally if the trailer is not riding level.

That being said you still need bed rail to trailer clearance and as said in the previous post, running nose high seems to be very common among us with late model trucks. If your camper has the equalizer on the suspension don't worry about the atitude (within reason) of the camper connected to the truck.

This is an excellent post. Within reason .... obviously riding 6 inches high is not likely to equalize but great information.

[RCMAN46]

BB_TX wrote:
Many of the 5ers do ride a little nose high, including mine. But, at least in my case, it is not enough to be a concern. A couple inches nose high is not going to shift any significant amount of weight to the rear axle.

Have you ever weighed the axles on your trailer?
One poster said he tows 4 inches nose high. If he were to do the scales I am sure he will be in for a big surprise.

[Shadow_Grey]

The whole deal before was to get the trailer as level as possable because the axles were supported independantly to the frame. If too low or too high in the front the trailer would transfer more of weight to the front or rear tire possably overloading them. Today most all trailers have a equialized suspension meaning there is a pivot point that the rear of the front spring and the front of the rear spring are tied together. This allows the front tire and the rear tire to carry the load equally if the trailer is not riding level.

That being said you still need bed rail to trailer clearance and as said in the previous post, running nose high seems to be very common among us with late model trucks. If your camper has the equalizer on the suspension don't worry about the atitude (within reason) of the camper connected to the truck.

[Uppercrust]

With our truck 4x4 F250 2012, cruiser 345rf, it is no problem, we did have to install airbags cause of a little squat. When we hook it up it has enough clearance.

[klr650goldwing]

TVs are higher than they used to be. We have a 2004 Ford F350 4X4 and our Cruiser tows level.

[Halmfamily]

We have an'08 GMC Sierra and tow our fiver with 5" of bed clearance and 4" nose high. As others have said your truck will squat once hooked up. Good luck

[Dandy_Dan]

Jim, I tow our 5er with the Dodge in my signature. It has stock suspension on 16" rubber and the 5er is also on 16" rubber. I adjusted the hitch height a touch and haul level. Hopes this may shed a little light. Good Luck and Happy Camping.

[GertiesTravels]

jerem0621 wrote:
OP I like that western hauler you have there! Those are getting rare!

Yes, and it is a good truck. Unfortunately it has spent to much of its life in the rust belt and has more issues than I can fix since they replaced my back last year. I no longer bend or lift so maintaining "Galloping Gertie" is not an option any more. Kind of hate to see the old girl go.

[GertiesTravels]

jerem0621 wrote:
OP I like that western hauler you have there! Those are getting rare!

Yes, and it is a good truck. Unfortunately it has spent to much of its life in the rust belt and has more issues than I can fix since they replaced my back last year. I no longer bend or lift so maintaining "Galloping Gertie" is not an option any more. Kind of hate to see the old girl go.