Adjusting Height of Hitch?

[buylow12]

I feel like my fifth wheel rides a bit uneven, further down at the front. I was wondering what is the best way to adjust that, should I raise the hitch or lower the pin? It seems like the first would be the easiest. I'm also worried that it will change the way it handles. I've been quite happy with it so far over the past 10k miles in the past 6 months or so.

The thing that really brought it to my attention was when I was doing some offroading to get to a boondocking spot with the whole rig. The road was fairly unlevel in one spot and the trailer ended up pushing against the rails of the truck bed. It didn't do any damage but much more of a lean and it would have. Adjusting it up would obviously provide more room between the trailer and the bed rails. I was also wondering, how far can these things lean before the go over on their side? I don't think it was more than 5 or 10 degrees but it still made me pucker up:E!

Tim Czarkowski
TotalTravelers.com

Here is a picture, I'm not sure if you can tell from this that it's front heavy but you can certainly see there isn't much room between the trailer and the rails.

[Golden_HVAC]

If you only have 5" between the front of the trailer and bed rails, then increase it by 1" to 2" and you will be fine.

Your center of gravity is actually pretty low, and you can 'tip' it a lot before it will roll over at low speeds. Yet it is much easier to roll over a fifth wheel by slowing the truck and making a sharp turn. I saw at least 3 big rigs that rolled over at the onramp in the Long Beach Harbor. What happens is the truck driver is speeding up to make the green arrow light, but as they go around the curve, they slow down, downshift, and the trailer is still moving say 18 MPH, but the truck is starting to go sideways and slowing to say 15 MPH, and the trailer pushes forward, but the truck is 20% to the left, and it goes over. You can try this with a kid's pickup and trailer, or a child's tractor and fifth wheel, and you will see if you push the trailer forward while steering sharp turn, the kid's tractor will also buckle under and tip over.

Usually this is not the case in a RV and pickup. With electric brakes, the trailer is slowed down correctly into the turn, and your pickup will not have nearly as much slowing ability as a big rig's 12 liter engine when downshifting.

Have fun camping!

Fred.

[N-Trouble]

Looks pretty level in the pic. Bet its not off by much. What is the difference in measurement from bottom of trailer to ground at both front and back? Like mentioned just raise the hitch one notch and I bet its enough to get you level. More rail clearance is always better.

Also do all your measurements when you are fully loaded. Both trailer and truck

[Old-Biscuit]

Raise the hitch......and if that isn't enough then lower the pin box

Hitch first.

Best when 5vr is towed 'level'
Next best is nose low IF you have enough bed rail clearance
Worst is nose high

Should be at least 6" clearance but the more the better.

Raise that hitch and se what that gives you in clearance and how level 5vr is