Lowering Truck and Effect on Towing

I have a 2008 2500HD CC/SWB/2WD that I use primarily for towing a 13,000 lb. 5th wheel and I want to lower the truck 2-3 inches to give me more clearance between the top of the bed rail and the underside of the 5th wheel that rides above the bed. I have my hitch and 5th wheel pin box adjusted so that the truck and trailer are about level. Actually the front of the trailer is a 1/2" higher than the rear - I would prefer the trailer to be slightly lower in the front for optimum stability. With that setup, I have about 5" of clearance between the bed rail and trailer and the typical recommendation is to have 8". The truck bed and trailer have already contacted each other twice but only minor damage so far.

To get more clearance here are the three options I am looking at:

1) Raise the trailer 2-3 inches and adjust the hitch/pin box to re-level the trailer to create the additional 2-3 inches of clearance

2) Lower the truck 2-3 inches and adjust the hitch/pin box to re-level the trailer to create the additional 2-3 inches of clearance

3) Trade my truck in on a new Ford 2WD with a stock bed height 4" lower than our 2007-2015 trucks. Actually GM is the only with bed height being the same for 2WD and 4WD.

Option 1) is not desirable. The trailer is already just over 13' tall and I am already running into problems with clearing trees in campgrounds and lowering the towing stability by raising the trailer CG is not an option I want to choose.

So, in choosing option 2) I have a some questions for you all:

1) Has anyone lowered their GM HD pickup 2- 3 inches?

2) If so, how did you do it? A search online shows there are parts out there.

3) How has it worked out? Has there been any issues with reduced clearance or travel? Tire wear? Handling? Other problems?

4) Any impact to hauling or towing heavy loads with a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch?

Thanks so much! Any help in keeping me from trading in my truck on a Ford would be GREATLY appreciated!!! ;-)

Scott.

Tow Vehicles

Bedlam
Moderator
Nov 04, 2014
calabria1922 wrote:
Bedlam wrote:
If you just get a flat bed for the back, you are looking at $3k. The skirted ones with compartments will be about twice that much, so it depends on how finished of look you are after. I went with a Palfinger Badger bed and lower DeeZee storage compartments.

Do you have a link to pictures?

This is my 5500 with that setup. Badger makes the same bed for SRW trucks replacing their long beds. The DeeZee boxes on mine are 40" - You would need to go 36" or smaller.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/19768381/gotomsg/28032875.cfm#28032875
transamz9
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
calabria1922 wrote:
transamz9 wrote:
I must be missing something. I don't understand how a 2wd pick-up is too tall for a fifthwheel? If the fifthwheel is a high profile unit then their should be plenty of clearance. I have 5+ inches of clearance with my 4X4 Ram.

Not sure about earlier models but 2007 and on GM trucks have the same ride height, 2WD or 4WD.

I have 5" clearance too but I still contacted when turning down those 2 driveways.

FYI trailer axles are already under the springs (flipped).

I understand that the 2wd and 4wd GMs have the same ride height but that is my point, my 05 and 13 Rams are much taller than an 07 GM.:h
calabria1922
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
larry barnhart wrote:
No towing problems after we lowered our 2001 2wd 3500 chev dually 2" on the rear.
chevman

Hi Larry. Did you lower the front too? Did you notice any difference in ride quality with 2" less travel?

The neighbor at the campsite next to me had a 2012 Chevy dually and he lowered just his back end by 2" using shackles but he had to do some custom work on it. He crushed the left back corner of his bed going down a driveway too.

Lowering just the back for him worked great on the dually as his suspension was so stiff that when loaded his backend was still high. By lowering it he achieved a level bed when loaded and was able to therefore raise his hitch to get more clearance. That won't work for me as I already have a level bed when loaded. Lowering the back end with leave me nose high on the truck.
calabria1922
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
transamz9 wrote:
I must be missing something. I don't understand how a 2wd pick-up is too tall for a fifthwheel? If the fifthwheel is a high profile unit then their should be plenty of clearance. I have 5+ inches of clearance with my 4X4 Ram.

Not sure about earlier models but 2007 and on GM trucks have the same ride height, 2WD or 4WD.

I have 5" clearance too but I still contacted when turning down those 2 driveways.

FYI trailer axles are already under the springs (flipped).
calabria1922
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
Bedlam wrote:
If you just get a flat bed for the back, you are looking at $3k. The skirted ones with compartments will be about twice that much, so it depends on how finished of look you are after. I went with a Palfinger Badger bed and lower DeeZee storage compartments.

Do you have a link to pictures?
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
No towing problems after we lowered our 2001 2wd 3500 chev dually 2" on the rear.
chevman
transamz9
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
I must be missing something. I don't understand how a 2wd pick-up is too tall for a fifthwheel? If the fifthwheel is a high profile unit then their should be plenty of clearance. I have 5+ inches of clearance with my 4X4 Ram.
Bedlam
Moderator
Nov 04, 2014
If you just get a flat bed for the back, you are looking at $3k. The skirted ones with compartments will be about twice that much, so it depends on how finished of look you are after. I went with a Palfinger Badger bed and lower DeeZee storage compartments.
calabria1922
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
I don't want to raise the trailer - it's too tall already and creating problems navigating campgrounds, roads with low trees, etc. I want to increase stability not decrease it.

Bedlam - great idea if what you are talking about is a custom 5th wheel bed with tool compartments, etc. I looked into them a while back but the costs seemed really high and not sure on what it does for resale. Won't be able to use the back for hauling stuff any longer. Of course, if I am going to keep the truck for a long time and I continue to make RVing a big part of my life, that shouldn't matter.

Thanks again!
kmbelt
Explorer
Nov 03, 2014
Have you thought about raising your trailer. Maybe doing an axle flip if you axle is not already under your leaf springs. this would give you a couple of inches. Maybe larger tires/wheels on your trailer.