Can a 5th Wheel Trailer be Towed with a Ford F-250 with an 8 Inch Suspension Lift

Updated 08/26/2013 | Published 08/24/2013

Question:

Can I pull a fifth wheel with a f250 that has an 8 inch suspension lift.

asked by: Jerry T

Expert Reply:

Possibly but it depends on how high we can get the trailer and what adjustments can be made to the hitch and pin box.

First, a suspension lift makes the towing capacity of the truck unknown and actually lowers it if anything. Just keep this in mind.

Measure from level ground to the truck bed and from level ground to the king pin skid plate to see what that height difference is. This will tell you how far off you will be to be able to tow the trailer and if it is possible to get level without any interference using the height adjustment methods below.

On any given 5th wheel hitch you can raise the height or lower the height. The same goes for the pin box on the trailer. There is a few inches of adjustability on the hitch and pin box so the right combination will give you a better shot at towing the trailer more level.

Another thing you can do if the leaf springs on the trailer are currently under the axle is use an over-under conversion kit like # K71-385-00 that fits 3 inch round axles. This will move the springs above the axle raising the ride height at least as much as the axle diameter.

The only other way to get more height would be to replace the suspension hangers on the trailer with taller hangers. This and the over-under kit will make the center of gravity higher on the trailer and it will be more likely to sway.

expert reply by: Michael H