Towing an Unlevel Trailer

[esvensweed]

I have a 29’ 2014 Chaparral fifth wheel RV that’s towed with my 2014 Dodge 2500 Ram truck (Mega Cab with a 6’ bed) using a Curt Q16 slider hitch.

After getting my RV home from the dealer I noticed that it didn’t sit level; it was noticeably high in the front and low in the rear. I measured the difference from the frame to the ground and found that the front of the trailer sat 9” higher than the rear did. Also, the pin box would make contact with my truck’s bed rails when making tight turns.

I read that a trailer should be towed relatively level so not to put too much weight on the tires which could cause blow-outs. So, I had the pin box adjusted (to its limit) to where the trailer now sits about 6” higher in the front, i.e. lowering the front by 3”. This adjustment also eliminated the bed rail contact issue with tight turns.

I then went to a certified scale with the trailer fully loaded and found that my tongue weight was well within the specified safe range, and the weight on the tires is about 10% below their maximum rating at the 75 psi pressure I am using.

There’s nothing more I can do to level my RV except changing the 5th wheel hitch to one that sits lower in the truck bed or use a different pin box that sits higher. Unfortunately, neither of these is viable as the clearance when making tight turns between the pin box and my truck bed is only about 1” now. Lowering the front of the trailer further would cause it to hit the bed again regardless of whether the slider was used or not.

I am still not happy with the front being 6” higher as the rearward tilt is pretty obvious. My questions are:

1) Is the rearward angle when towing a trailer a safety issue?

2) Is 10% enough of a safety margin for the weight on the tires?

Thank you for your help with this.

[tinner12002]

I towed my 30ft 5th wheel 9" out of level for a year with no issues at all and was loading it with 2 big Harleys. I have since raised it with 2" spacer blocks so its still somewhat tail down but I'm not going to worry about it. In a perfect world level would be better but we all know we don't live in a perfect world! I had people say your frig won't run...no issues, had people say to much weight on rear axle, if it didn't have weight equalizers on the springs then maybe I'd worry but most all RVs have them so in my opinion no issues!!

[mkirsch]

Thinking about it, you must be sliding out of the bed when you stop for a one-nighter somewhere, or you have to unhitch to level the camper so it's tolerable. Seems like a lot of work for one night, when you could just leave it hitched up and use those two extra hours to relax.

6" may also be pushing it with respect to the refrigerator working if you're not moving.

[rhagfo]

The OP states that it currently tows well. Personally I would level it, like about 4" at the axles, nose high or low puts un equal loading on the axles and tires, while being off by 6' total front to rear is not that great level will be better.

[mkirsch]

If you move the axles to ABOVE the springs, that will make the rear of the trailer LOWER, and make your problem WORSE.

[bpounds]

There aren't many fivers made today that don't already have the axles below the springs. In a 2014, that's probably not going to help.

OP, you still didn't say how much clearance you have between the fiver overhang and the top of your bed rails. You really don't want to go too close there. Should be at least 6", definitely not less than 5". Since you already lowered the nose 3", makes me concerned about that bed clearance.

Top side clearance won't be an issue. Ignore that stuff above. Just make sure you know how tall you are, and pay attention to clearance signs on the road. You won't end up greater than 13-6, so don't worry.

When measuring how out of level you are, don't measure at front and rear. Measure to the bottom of the frame, on level ground. Measure at the front of the base frame, and between the axles to the base frame. You will find that you are much less than 6" out.

To determine if there really is a problem, or not, head to the scales and measure the weight on each axle. Unless it is badly unequal, you don't have a mechanical issue. You might still have clearance issues.

[BenK]

All things are designed. For. That worst day Mr Murphy crosses your path....either you have the proper sized and/or setup correctly....or not


No time to go back to the store for right sized or re--setup...

[DustyR]

esvensweed wrote:
Thank you all for your helpful input on leveling my 5th wheel. I will talk to my mechanic about switching the axles to above the springs. My main question is how dangerous is a 29' trailer that sits 6" high in the front. I haven't had a problem yet with blow-outs & towed it across the USA several times. She tows like a dream & big trucks passing hasn't been a problem. I check the tire & hub temperatures every time I stop & the tires are only about 10 degrees above ambient which I believe is normal. Safety is my only concern; am I worried about nothing?

I think you have summarized it all in your last sentence. The vehicle combination has be towed long distance several times without a problem. I don't see any gain with creating a higher vehicle and increasing the center of gravity of the vehicle.

Don't overthink it just enjoy it.

[esvensweed]

Thank you all for your helpful input on leveling my 5th wheel. I will talk to my mechanic about switching the axles to above the springs. My main question is how dangerous is a 29' trailer that sits 6" high in the front. I haven't had a problem yet with blow-outs & towed it across the USA several times. She tows like a dream & big trucks passing hasn't been a problem. I check the tire & hub temperatures every time I stop & the tires are only about 10 degrees above ambient which I believe is normal. Safety is my only concern; am I worried about nothing?

[rhagfo]

BenK wrote:
When a trailer axle is flipped...it to raise the height of the trailer.
That has been the general advice on this thread.

In raising the height of any trailer...the upper most 'stuff' is/are normally things
like the AC compressor, etc...or something like a dish for TV/Internet/etc

If the OEM of that trailer already had it close to or at the max DOT spec height...then
flipping the axle most likely will raise it's height above DOT spec'd
max height of IIRC, 14' 4" or so

Most underpasses are at 15 feet, but the DOT spec is around 14' 5" or
so and warning signage of 'low' underpass is dictated in 'most'
jurisdictions for anything less than 15'... Also...IIRC...there are
TWO height specifications/ratings from DOT...one for urban and other
is for rural areas...IIRC...urban is less (lower underpass height)
than rural...

Not trying to scare...just point something in the ratings/specifications out to
someone headed down that path...and for lurkers who might think this
is a fix all with no need to check things out

lawrosa wrote:

BenK wrote:
Just be mindful after the axle flip...there are highway/roads/etc codes by the
government spelling out 'vertical clearance' for both the roadways and vehicles

Two main categories...urban and rural...one is higher and other is lower

There are GPS programs you can load your max height and they will warn you during
your drive...but that is only for what their DB has on file...

Good luck !

What will make that any higher then the pin box... Stop scaring the guy... Shhheeeesssshhhh,

The Max legal height is 13'-6" the 2014 Chaparral fifth wheel has a listed height of 145" or 12'-1", leaving 17" of available lift. The only issue could be a front A/C.

So add one more measurement to verify to my post about calculating the needed lift at the axles.
It would be to with the trailer level for getting Measurement2, to measure the height to the highest point. That height plus the needed lift would need to be less than 13' 6".

The last point is that a 6" difference doesn't require a 6" lift to correct. depending on the location of the axles it could be 3" or 4".

[BenK]

When a trailer axle is flipped...it to raise the height of the trailer.
That has been the general advice on this thread.

In raising the height of any trailer...the upper most 'stuff' is/are normally things
like the AC compressor, etc...or something like a dish for TV/Internet/etc

If the OEM of that trailer already had it close to or at the max DOT spec height...then
flipping the axle most likely will raise it's height above DOT spec'd
max height of IIRC, 14' 4" or so

Most underpasses are at 15 feet, but the DOT spec is around 14' 5" or
so and warning signage of 'low' underpass is dictated in 'most'
jurisdictions for anything less than 15'... Also...IIRC...there are
TWO height specifications/ratings from DOT...one for urban and other
is for rural areas...IIRC...urban is less (lower underpass height)
than rural...

Not trying to scare...just point something in the ratings/specifications out to
someone headed down that path...and for lurkers who might think this
is a fix all with no need to check things out

lawrosa wrote:

BenK wrote:
Just be mindful after the axle flip...there are highway/roads/etc codes by the
government spelling out 'vertical clearance' for both the roadways and vehicles

Two main categories...urban and rural...one is higher and other is lower

There are GPS programs you can load your max height and they will warn you during
your drive...but that is only for what their DB has on file...

Good luck !

What will make that any higher then the pin box... Stop scaring the guy... Shhheeeesssshhhh,

[lawrosa]

BenK wrote:
Just be mindful after the axle flip...there are highway/roads/etc codes by the
government spelling out 'vertical clearance' for both the roadways and vehicles

Two main categories...urban and rural...one is higher and other is lower

There are GPS programs you can load your max height and they will warn you during
your drive...but that is only for what their DB has on file...

Good luck !

What will make that any higher then the pin box... Stop scaring the guy... Shhheeeesssshhhh,

[BenK]

Just be mindful after the axle flip...there are highway/roads/etc codes by the
government spelling out 'vertical clearance' for both the roadways and vehicles

Two main categories...urban and rural...one is higher and other is lower

There are GPS programs you can load your max height and they will warn you during
your drive...but that is only for what their DB has on file...

Good luck !

[SoCalDesertRid1]

Another option is to replace the pickup bed with a flatbed or hauler style bed. Then you don't have bed rail height or tailgate height to contend with and can level the trailer without raising it.

Many folks around my rural area put flatbeds on their new pickups. It's very popular with the horse/rancher types out here. Most pull large gooseneck horse/stock trailers with living quarters.

Here's a nice aluminum flatbed with built in storage boxes on a Dodge 3500 dually. The bed is by Bradford-Built, a popular brand around here.

[TexasRangerRzR]

Has your truck been lifted ?