How to Level Fifth Wheel Trailer When Towing with Very Tall Truck

Updated 06/19/2020 | Published 07/21/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Ultra-Fab Economy 5th Wheel King Pin Tripod Stabilizer - Steel - 31" to 54" - 5,000 lbs

(222)

$136.39

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(779)

$72.79

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(779)

$84.63

Question:

I BOUGHT ONE OF YOUR FIFTH WHEELS AND IT WENT ON EASY AND WORKS FINE. I WILL SEND PICTURES OF IT AND THE WHEELS AND RIMS THAT I GOT FROM YOU. HERE IS MY PROBLEM, I HAD TO RAISE THE HITCH AS HIGH AS IT WOULD GO AND THE FIFTH WHEEL PIN AS LOW AS IT WOULD GO TO GET FIVE AND A HALF INCHES FROM THE BED TO THE TRAILER, BUT TO GET THAT THE FRONT OF THE TRAILER IS EIGHT INCHES HIGHER IN THE FRONT THAN THE BACK. SO MORE WEIGHT IS ON THE REAR AXELS. CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. MY PROBLEM IS THE 2015 DODGE 2500 HEAVY DUTY SITS TO HIGH IN THE BACK. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO? THANK YOU.

asked by: HAROLD S

Helpful Expert Reply:

Ideally you want your trailer to be towed as level possible and still have at least 6 inches of clearance between overhang of the trailer and the bed rails of the truck. Since trucks tend to keep getting built taller and taller this can prove to be challenging.

Your best option at this point would be to lift the trailer suspension so that you get both the clearance and a level setup.

You can do this by moving the axles from being above the leaf springs to below the leaf springs.

The diameter of your trailer axle will determine the size of the parts that you will need to order. If your axle is 3 inches diameter, the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit, # K71-385-00, would be a great choice and if your axle is 2-3/8 inch diameter you could use the Over-Under Kit, # K71-384-00. These kits can be installed without welding but the manufacturer strongly recommends having the new spring seat tacked in place on the other side of the trailer axle.

Some refer to this process as "flipping the axles," but since axle has a slight bow to it you can't just flip them and reinstall them under the springs using the same spring seats. You have to install new spring seats on the opposite side of the axle so that it can be moved below the spring.

If you do think raising the trailer in the back is the way to go then you may be able to use an over/under conversion kit if:

The trailer leaf spring stack is currently mounted under the axles
The trailer uses double-eye springs
And the trailer has 2-3/8 inch or 3 inch diameter round axles

If you cannot use an over/under conversion kit then the only other way to raise the height of the trailer is to have the old suspension hangers cut off and new, taller ones welded on by a qualified professional welder. I have included a link to the hanger main page for you.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Kevin

6/15/2020

I installed new leafs on my 5th wheel camper. The camper used to sit high in front and lower in back. I noticed the mounting for the leafs had 3 different holes. I put it all back the same way except the very rear hanger, I dropped it down one hole (about 2”). Should I put them all in the same mounting holes?

Chris R.

6/19/2020

Are you referring to the mounting holes on the actual hangers (which are welded to the trailer frame?). If so, I would definitely try mounting them all to the same holes just to maintain an even suspension setup.