Can Truck with Oversize Tires Tow Fifth Wheel Trailer Level

Updated 03/27/2018 | Published 03/26/2018

Question:

I just purchased a 2018 forest river cherokee 265b 5th wheel. My tow vehicle is a 2017 ram 2500 4x4 with 35 inch tires and 20 inch wheels but no lift. Just a 2 inch leveling kit in the front. According to my measurements the 5th wheel is approximately 6 inches above level in the front when hooked up. I currently have about 6.5 inches clearance between the bed rail and the bottom of the bed area. My hitch does have a lower setting of about 2 inches but i fear that it will put my bed to close. My question is two fold. One, is there a shackle extension kit I can purchase to raise the camper a couple of inches? The axles are already on the bottom side of the springs. Two, would you happen to know how much i would gain if I put 18 inch rims and 33s on the truck. I am willing to switch out wheels and tires, however, if it only gains me 2 inches is it worth the investment? Thanks

asked by: Guy C

Helpful Expert Reply:

So ideally your trailer sits as level as possible and you have at least 6 inches between the bed rails and the overhang of the trailer. The main reason you are having a hard time with this is the oversize tires you have on your truck which is adding quite a bit of height.

Going to a smaller tire will help and fix the problem. The thing to keep in mind though is that the overall diameter of a tire is split on either side of the axle center. So if you go to a tire that's 2 inches shorter overall you only lose 1 inch of height. So you'd have to go with a tire 4 inches shorter to get the change needed with just tires.

Other option would be a hanger setup that's taller on your trailer suspension. I attached a link to a page below that has all of the hangers we offer. You'd want to compare their dimensions to what you have on your trailer currently to know what you'd need.

expert reply by: Jameson C