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Truck too tall for 5th wheel

SCCamper
Explorer
Explorer
Hi all, new member here.

My Dad has a 2014 Dodge 2500 4x4 he would like to use to tow a 5th wheel. The issue is that the truck be is 60-61" high which I believe is 6-7" too tall for most fifth wheel campers. There is no easy way to lower the truck.

Is there anyone here who has direct personal experience with a spring over conversion on a fifth wheel or some other method of lifting the trailer? My concerns (and his) are that there will be clearance issues with the AC unit with low bridges and that the trailer will be unsafe due to the loss of stability with the raised CG.

Any other way to two a fifth wheel with this truck other than lifting the trailer?

Thanks
37 REPLIES 37

agesilaus
Explorer III
Explorer III
Are you sure it's too high? Unless it's been lifted then newer fifth wheels should work with that truck. There is some adjustment on the king pin also.
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Me_Again
Explorer II
Explorer II
Hey, I raise my 2005 trailer 3.5" to level it to my old 2001.5 Dodge Ram. Flipped the axles 5.5" and lowered it 2" on the jack plates for the net of 3.5"! Chris
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

SCCamper
Explorer
Explorer
tn terry t wrote:
dexter makes a kit to put the axles under the springs in which will give about four inches I have put two of these kits on with no problems also you could have a sub frame built. I've seen 2x4 and 2x6 square tubing to build these sub frames


Terry, did you have any problems with the height clearance (low bridges, tree limbs in campgrounds) or did you notice any problems with stability in crosswinds on the interstate?

Thanks-Brian

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
The problem may be the height of the truck bed sides and won't give you a good clearance from the 5th wheel hitch and the mount when making turns.

I think the FORD models were the first that had really high beds...
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
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DakotaDad
Explorer
Explorer
I've got a 2014 Ram 2500 4x4, and we've been considering a fifth wheel for our next camper within the next year or so. How common of a problem is this with newer units? Am I going to need an axle flip on almost anything we look at?
Jason, Angie, and our boys, Sean (13) and Liam (8)
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2016 Ram 3500 CC Big Horn - 6.7 Cummins - B&W RVK3600 hitch
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Tiger02
Explorer
Explorer
The easiest way I know of is an "axle flip" on the 5th wheel itself. Basically you put the axle below the leaf springs vice on top of the spring pack. Many have done this and I'm sure you'll get a lot of help on this. If you search for "trailer axle flip" on youtube, you'll find a few videos.
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US Army 1984-2016.

tn_terry_t
Explorer
Explorer
dexter makes a kit to put the axles under the springs in which will give about four inches I have put two of these kits on with no problems also you could have a sub frame built. I've seen 2x4 and 2x6 square tubing to build these sub frames