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5th wheel nose high problem

4wlow
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2014 ram 3500 with the 5th wheel prelp and a reese select hitch with the picture fame adapter towing a 2013 voltage 3200 with a trail air pinbox. Hitch is as low as it can go and the pin box is as high as it can go. I have 11 inches of clearance from top of bed to 5th wheel. Hitched up I am around 10 inches nose high. I know this is probably too much. Any sugestions? I already looked at other hitches like the Andersen ultimate, but that would only get me around an inch and a half lower. I plan on weighing the axles. Is my only option to raise the trailer?
44 REPLIES 44

4wlow
Explorer
Explorer
Well, I weighed my trailer axles before a trip and found a 1000 lb difference between the front and rear axles of the trailer. The rear axle is right at the limit of 7000 lbs and that was with no toys in the garage. I definitely need to find a way to get the nose down. I do not have adjustment holes on the spring shackles either. My current delema is how to do it. I have not found a hitch I can adjust lower except the Anderson ultimate which would give me around an inch. I have a trail air pinbox that is adjusted as high as it can go. Don,t know if a different pin box is an option

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
4wlow wrote:
I have been trying to find a lower hitch for my truck but with the 5th wheel prep package it makes options limited. I found goose neck adapters that would work, but not sure I like the extra stress on the trailer frame they would cause.


You seem to have a real issue, as the 5er is a TH, if you raise it then you make the loading ramp too steep. Have you looked into a shorter pin box.
If you can bring the nose down 5", you may only need to raise about 2' at the axles.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

4wlow
Explorer
Explorer
I have been trying to find a lower hitch for my truck but with the 5th wheel prep package it makes options limited. I found goose neck adapters that would work, but not sure I like the extra stress on the trailer frame they would cause.

stro1965
Explorer
Explorer
I measured my 5er today near the pin while level, then measured at the same spot again once I hooked up. It was a full 7" higher on the truck. Ouch.
2018 Ram DRW 3500 6.7
2019 Keystone Alpine 3021

4wlow
Explorer
Explorer
Weighed my trailer axles today before leaving on a weekend trip. I am a little concerned now with my nose high issue. Front axle was 5800 lbs and. The rear was right at 7000 and I have 7000 lb axles on the trailer. I had no toys in the garage so adding any toys will also add more weight to the rear axle.

4wlow
Explorer
Explorer
I have 16 inch wheels

gtsum
Explorer
Explorer
how big are your trailer wheels? 16 inch wheels will help...as will more pin weight I would guess
2015 Fuzion 345 Chrome
2014 Ram Megacab 3500 CTD Laramie

4wlow
Explorer
Explorer
spud1957 wrote:
4wlow wrote:
I could get close if I could find a way to lower the front since I have around 11 inches of clearance between the top of the bed and the bottom of the 5th

What is the lippert alignment kit


11"? 6-7" is enough. Between your hitch and your trlr pin you could decrease that down to an acceptable height.


That is my problem both are maxed out to provide the lowest position. Lowest position on the hitch can not be used due to the slider platform. highest position on the pin box is limited that the pin box would hit the bottom of the 5th wheel cap. before the top holes are lined up. Right now my options are limited by the Ram factory 5th wheel prep package. I looked at the B&W hitch for the Ram prep package, but that would only lower the front by slightly less than an inch. I plan on weighing my axles. how much of a weight difference between the two is too much.

gtsum
Explorer
Explorer
these 2014 ram 3500's sit high for sure...mine is 59.5 inches to the top of the tailgate
2015 Fuzion 345 Chrome
2014 Ram Megacab 3500 CTD Laramie

spud1957
Explorer
Explorer
4wlow wrote:
I could get close if I could find a way to lower the front since I have around 11 inches of clearance between the top of the bed and the bottom of the 5th

What is the lippert alignment kit


11"? 6-7" is enough. Between your hitch and your trlr pin you could decrease that down to an acceptable height.
2018 F350 6.7 4x4 CCSB
2022 GD Reflection 337 RLS

4wlow
Explorer
Explorer
I could get close if I could find a way to lower the front since I have around 11 inches of clearance between the top of the bed and the bottom of the 5th

What is the lippert alignment kit

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
rtate wrote:
4wlow wrote:
I have a 2014 ram 3500 with the 5th wheel prelp and a reese select hitch with the picture fame adapter towing a 2013 voltage 3200 with a trail air pinbox. Hitch is as low as it can go and the pin box is as high as it can go. I have 11 inches of clearance from top of bed to 5th wheel. Hitched up I am around 10 inches nose high. I know this is probably too much. Any sugestions? I already looked at other hitches like the Andersen ultimate, but that would only get me around an inch and a half lower. I plan on weighing the axles. Is my only option to raise the trailer?


I have the same problem except and the same truck. My axels are already on the bottom of the springs. I have about 7 inches clerance from the bed which is as close as I want to get. The trailer tows great. I am going to leave mine like it is unless my tires indicate the back axel is carrying too much load. I think the trailer suspension equalizes the load.


You are noticeably pin high 4" to 11" I sure be working to get the 5er closer to level. Go to a weigh station and weigh the individual axles, I think you will be surprised at the weight difference.

I am only about 2" to 3" pin high and still working to get level.

This is not the best picture (sun glare and finger in picture), but it does show I am still a bit pine high. Likely going for the Lippert alignment kit.

Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

rtate
Explorer
Explorer
4wlow wrote:
I have a 2014 ram 3500 with the 5th wheel prelp and a reese select hitch with the picture fame adapter towing a 2013 voltage 3200 with a trail air pinbox. Hitch is as low as it can go and the pin box is as high as it can go. I have 11 inches of clearance from top of bed to 5th wheel. Hitched up I am around 10 inches nose high. I know this is probably too much. Any sugestions? I already looked at other hitches like the Andersen ultimate, but that would only get me around an inch and a half lower. I plan on weighing the axles. Is my only option to raise the trailer?


I have the same problem except and the same truck. My axels are already on the bottom of the springs. I have about 7 inches clerance from the bed which is as close as I want to get. The trailer tows great. I am going to leave mine like it is unless my tires indicate the back axel is carrying too much load. I think the trailer suspension equalizes the load.
2014 Ram CTD 4x2 SRW 3.42 68 RE auto trans
Big Horn 3055RL

Restless

San Marcos Tx

azrving
Explorer
Explorer
I have the same truck with a pullrite slide hitch and a 2000 Coachmen flat front 101" width. I just did the axle flip for 6 in, raised the pin 2 1/2 in, installed low profile feet 1 1/2 in. Its sitting at 12 ' 10" at the ac/front vent cover.

newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Explorer II
Had someone with the same problem he ended up getting the factory air ride put on his truck tows level now 2,700.00