New fifth wheel drove home need to return to dealer

[jackstrat]

Bought fifth wheel at Campers Inn and was unaware there would be a problem with the height of the automatic jacks that sit under the Grand Design Reflection, also with the length of the tire to pin distance. Looking for information on New Hampshire laws that will help us in returning to Campers Inn. They said we could exchange for another trailer that would work for our yard which we found, shorter distance and higher jacks hoping to swap and get some money back. That surely was not the case. Much cheaper fifth wheel and they wanted us to give them 5000 more. Need to find some loop hole to try and not loose so much money on returning this fifth wheel. Any help?

[tinner12002]

jackstrat wrote:
Problem is the jacks are mounted as high as they can go and still only 6 inches from ground.

There are several manufacturers that have the jacks mounted toward the rear more than others. That's one issue I'm concerned with on the DRV toy haulers. A lot of manufacturers have them mounted right behind the tires at probably the best location.

[TNGW1500SE]

All58Parks wrote:
I would look into getting an excavating company to regrade your yard. I had to do a little of this with my new TT to make it easier to park, since it was several feet longer than the old one. Didn't cost much at all. It doesn't seem likely that you'll run into much of a problem in campgrounds, unless you're planning to do some off-road boondocking.

That's what I was thinking but I have my own backhoe. I'd just dig or add earth as needed.

I guess you could also look into raising the truck with air bags.

[joe_b_]

If the OP likes the 5th wheel, he may find it cheaper to rent a space in a public storage area to keep it instead of at his home. I did this for a number of years when we lived in Colorado.

Other possibilities is to reshape the yard area where you are trying to park at home. Sounds like you have a hump you are trying to back over. There are lots of things I would try before I lost roughly $5,000 on a rig I liked other than the jacks digging into the dirt.

[snarkee]

Lift the trailer higher (axle blocks?)and grade the yard

I just had to do that

[Slownsy]

Maybe not so great a design.
Frank.

[Michelle_S]

Grand Design must be using different jacks, as the hydraulic jacks from Lippert have multiple mounting holes to allow movement up or down by several inches. I'm on my third hydraulic leveling system and haven't had any problems draging any jacks.

[minnow]

Regrading the yard still doesn't solve the auto jacks only being 6" off the pavement. Pulling into/ out of gas stations could result in the jacks getting hung up.

[Gdetrailer]

goducks10 wrote:
I'd spend the money and do the landscaping. You obviously like the 5th wheel since you bought it. Losing money 2x would be a downer. I can't imagine it would be very much to hire someone with a backhoe to re-level or build a berm or something to help get that GD 5th backed in.

THIS^^^

Notice a theme?

You will most likely be able to get part of the yard regraded for much less than what you will lose in a "trade"..

You say you really like the trailer, then spend a bit on changing the landscape and be done with it.. A one time outlay of money for landscaping will net you years of enjoyment..

[goducks10]

I'd spend the money and do the landscaping. You obviously like the 5th wheel since you bought it. Losing money 2x would be a downer. I can't imagine it would be very much to hire someone with a backhoe to re-level or build a berm or something to help get that GD 5th backed in.

[minnow]

What Tuscon Jim said.... remove the auto level jacks and put on manual crank down jacks.

[rhagfo]

Slownsy wrote:
I think most cars have no more than 6" clearance.No pictures supplied, I am sure something can be modified.
Frank.

Yes, but cars have wheels at the corners, not near the center like a trailer.

[Slownsy]

I think most cars have no more than 6" clearance.No pictures supplied, I am sure something can be modified.
Frank.

[leeper]

Whom ever installed the jacks put on the wrong kind on. Sounds like you need the ones that fold up. The factory is more than likely aware of the clearance problem. They should begetting alot of complaints about the height. There are highway laws about how low anything can be hanging down while on state highways. Check with the manufacture about your problem before trading it in. Does not sound right for the levelers to be that low.

[MarkTwain]

Landing jacks--
Just by chance, did you check the level of the hydrolic fluid ???