Towing with new pickup

[saronabound]

I have a 2006 Keystone Laredo, 29RK, that I towed since new with a 2005 F250, PS, 6.0. That truck had 17" tires. I recently bought a new 2012 F250, with 20" tires, and it sits much higher. I think I need to adjust the king pin hitch on the 5er, raise it up so my 5er rides level.
My question is this. I now will not have much clearance between my truck bed and the bottom of the 5er and worry about them touching.
I have hooked up the 5er and I seemed to have more than the minimum 6" but that is before I adjust the king pin hitch. I think the only option I have is to put some sort of lift kit on my 5er, which I don't want to do, as it will make the 5er less stable. Does anyone out there pull a similar 5er, with an F250 with 20" tires. Any other suggestions.
This has got me worried.

saronabound

[laknox]

saronabound wrote:
I have a 2006 Keystone Laredo, 29RK, that I towed since new with a 2005 F250, PS, 6.0. That truck had 17" tires. I recently bought a new 2012 F250, with 20" tires, and it sits much higher. I think I need to adjust the king pin hitch on the 5er, raise it up so my 5er rides level.
My question is this. I now will not have much clearance between my truck bed and the bottom of the 5er and worry about them touching.
I have hooked up the 5er and I seemed to have more than the minimum 6" but that is before I adjust the king pin hitch. I think the only option I have is to put some sort of lift kit on my 5er, which I don't want to do, as it will make the 5er less stable. Does anyone out there pull a similar 5er, with an F250 with 20" tires. Any other suggestions.
This has got me worried.

saronabound

Double check your FW and see if you have any adjustment in the spring hangars and drop the springs if you do. Also, check if the springs are above or below the axle; you can pick up more height with the springs on top. Only other way to raise your FW any significant amount is to have a spacer welded between the spring hangars and the main frame. Most people will build a box sub-frame, with cross-bracing, when they do this and also replace the hangars with heavier-gauge metal.

Lyle

[JohnBoyToo]

I went from a 2012 250 ccsb w/ gvwr of 10k to a 13 350 ccsb with a gvwr of 11.5k...

I did notice the tailgate is higher on the 350 by 3" or so, but when hooked up it squats down enough to be JUST level and tows like a dream...

[kampinguru]

If you have an equalizing suspension on your trailer, nose high will not affect anything as the weight on both sets of tires on the trailer will be equalized. Tiping the nose up on standard suspension would place an additional load on the rear tires on the trailer which may overload them. Take them to a scale to find out. Put the front set on the pad and take the measurement and then put the rears on the pad and read again. See if they are within the carrying capacity of the tires or you could have blowouts.

[saronabound]

My new F250 sits much higher because I used to be able to pull my 2005 F250 into my garage. I can't do that with my new truck. It may be because it has the off road package, which I didn't need, but it was on the truck and the truck was a great deal.

Thanks,
saronabound

[kennethwooster]

I went from a truck F350 just like you describe with 17 inch tires. I now have the 2011 F250 with 20 inch tires. These 2 trucks are the same height. I know because I can barely back into my garage without it touching. I did not have to adjust a thing to get bed to trailer clearance. I had a trailer at one time that was perfectly level with only about 4 inch clearance. It pulled horrible. I had to adjust my hitch to rise the 4 inch clearance. The funny thing with the raise in the front it pulled perfect. So a little nose high will not hurt a thing.

[saronabound]

I only see 2 TSB's for my 2012 F250. Neither has to do with 2" vs 4" lift. I would also like to know if swapping from the 4" lift to 2" affects payload. Also what about handling, right now with the 4" lift my truck sits level, if I drop it 2" in the back won't I be looking up now when in the driver seat, unless something is done in the front.

Saronabound

[BB_TX]

I have not read newer TSBs, but an older one I read did not mention any change in ratings. Two wheel drive trucks have 2" blocks I think.

[socoguy]

Will swapping block size affect vehicle payload capabilities?

[socoguy]

Will swapping block size affect vehicle payload capabilities?

[BB_TX]

I agree that a little nose high will not be a problem. Depends on just how high it is.
You probably have 4" blocks under the rear axles. Those can be swapped out to 2" blocks to lower the rear of the truck. Ford has a TSB on that very issue. I did it on my previous '07 F350. New '12 F350 (with 20") is also a little nose high but I have not swapped out the blocks yet.

[gmcsmoke]

raise the camper

[stro1965]

I'm no expert, but a little nose high wont hurt. Post a pic of the trailer on the truck.