Are There Options for Lifting a Fifth Wheel Trailer?  

Background I bought a 2018 3/4 T Ram. It is so tall I am having trouble finding a 5th wheel trailer that will fit under with the proper clearance. I am looking at trailers that are a few years old. I have maybe 1inch of clearance now not hitched up to the ones I have looked at. I presently do not have a 5th wheel hitch in the new truck so Im going on how much clearance there is when I back up to the trailer. I know the truck will squat some, but not 7-8. The axles are already on the bottom side of the axle. I have flipped the axles on my last 2 trailers so I know that trick. Im suspecting I will need about 6inch of lift. What Ive seen so far for solutions is to either flip the axles or install taller hangers. Questions I think hangers 6inch tall would be out of the question so I see 2 possible options. 1. Using a piece of rectangle tubing the width of the frame and the correct height, making it long enough to install new hangers in the same position/spacing as what is originally on the trailer. Mark the trailer frame where the new piece will have to be for the hangers to be properly lined up. Cut off the old hangers. Weld in the new piece, with the hangers already in place, making sure the hangers are aligned properly. I would have U channel or angle iron welded in in 3 places both ends and the middle on a tandem axle, going from the new piece to the original frame so as to provide additional strength. 2. Install a lift kit/block, like they do on off road trucks. Your thoughts? Are there other options out there besides flipping, longer shackle hangers, and either of my suggestions? Thank you

asked by: Rick C

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