Recommended Lift Kit Options for an Open Range Roamer 5th Wheel

Updated 02/28/2023 | Published 02/27/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(779)

$72.79

Replacement Slider Base for B&W OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Ford Towing Prep Package - 20K

(29)

$1200.00

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(779)

$88.64

Correct Track Trailer Alignment and Lift Kit - Tandem Axle

(51)

$477.92

Question:

Hello, I was hoping I could get some advice. I currently own a 2015 Open Range Roamer 245 RLS or RHS at 35’ fifth wheel. I was pulling the unit with a 2008 Ford F450, with 19.5 wheels. I have a BandW Companion hitch that was set on the lowest setting with the arms. The kingpin on the trailer was set at its highest setting. The kingpin could be ped one set of holes which in essence would raise the height of the front of the trailer when hooked up to the truck. I recently bought a 2022 Ford F350 SRW with 20” inch wheels and tires, I upgraded the tires from 275/60/20 to 295/60/20. The height of the tires went from 33 to 33.9 inches. I hooked the trailer up and found that on the lowest setting of the hitch as it was previously set on my older truck I could not turn the trailer sharp to a 75-90 degree angle without the bracket the kingpin attaches to on the trailer hitting the side of the bed of my truck. I extended the arms on the Companion hitch inside the truck which pushed the nose of the trailer higher but I still could not clear the bed of the truck with the kingpin bracket and the trailer was not riding level. Some thoughts I had were to see if there was a lift that could be put on the axles of my trailer, maybe 3 inches, to level it out and hope that makes the bracket clear the top of the bed rails. Another idea was to cut the lower section of the kingpin bracket. Or any other thought you might have. I put the trailer in areas that I need to turn sharp. Thank you for any help or advice.

asked by: Jay D

Expert Reply:

I do have a few options for you to raise the trailer, assuming it has leaf springs you can either go with an over under kit like the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit part # K71-384-00 for 2-3/8" axles and part # K71-385-00 for 3" axles or a leaf spring hanger extension kit like the Correct Track Trailer Alignment and Lift Kit part # RR23QX. The over/under kit will provide more lift than the leaf spring hanger extension kit so that may be a better option for you if applicable.

In regards to turning clearance, you should note that we don't recommend using a fixed hitch with a short bed so you may end up needing to obtain a sliding base for the hitch to make full turns, the Replacement Slider Base for B&W OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # BWRVB3370.

expert reply by: Conner L