Can a Fifth Wheel Trailer Be Lifted to Allow It to Sit Level When Being Towed

Updated 05/23/2016 | Published 05/22/2016

Products Featured in This Question

SuperSprings Mounting Kit for OEM Leaf Springs Above the Axle

(6)

$119.99

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(783)

$72.79

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(783)

$89.26

Question:

hi i had a 2500 hd dodge diesel 2 wheel drive and my 5th wheel road just fine even with the truck box level with each other i sold it and bought a chevy 3500 4x4 hd diesel and now the front nose of the 5th wheel rides about 3 inch higher than the rear of the 5th wheel trailer i measured the 2 boxes the box of the dodge was 3inch wider then the chevy the problem is the king pin arm wants to rub on the outside of the box can u tell me what to do i think if i could raise the 5th wheel 2 or 3inch higher off the axles that would fix my problem and it would ride more level with the truck can you help me?

asked by: Buzzard

Expert Reply:

Ideally you want your trailer to set as level as possible with at least 6 inches of clearance between the bed rails and the overhang of the trailer. Sounds like your overhang clearance is already pretty low if there is some rubbing happening already.

The only solution would be to lift the trailer.

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.

As long as your trailer matches the following three criteria an over-under kit would work well.

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.