F350 and HT 27.5 rlts

[KWDAILYD]

I have a 2017 F350 SRW 6.7 SB with 20 inch wheels. I tow a 2012 321 RLTS. I have a B&W 20K Companion Slider hitch. When hooked up the trailer squatted the back of the truck about 2 inches which pretty much leveled it. Trailer sat level also. I am a little vertically challenged so I wanted the back of the truck lowered. Even with the factory tailgate step it was difficult for me to get in the bed. As was mentioned earlier I purchased the blocks between the axle and the leaf springs for a 2WD F250 that lowered the back of my truck about 2 inches. That leveled the truck with no trailer hooked up. Made access to the bed easier. Problem was after I did that the truck squatted 2 inches low when hooked up so I installed Air Lift 5000 bags. I run about 35lbs of air to get the truck back to level hooked up.
I towed with no bags before lowering the truck and it did fine. After lowering the rear and adding the bags it felt a little more stable towing to me.
The picture with my rig on the scale was before lowering it and adding bags. I am very happy with my setup now.

[nickbnick]

I have basically that exact rig. A stock 2019 F350 (SRW 4x4) and a stock 2021 27.5RLTS. Both are indistinguishable from yours. I also was worried about height. Dealer moved camper spring shackle to highest level. I have had absolutely no problems. Tows like it isn't there. B&W companion hitch.

[citgodan]

ok, here are the pics with my 2018 F350 and the trailer. Please weigh-in on any concerns. I have many at this point...

of course all of the pics are sideways, but the last one!! I tried to edit and made it worst. the last pic is the largest gap between the trailer and truck


I already have 16" rims on my camper.



the last picture is the bed rails at the hitch

picture 2 is the bed rails toward the end of the bed

picture 3 is the clearance at the rear of the tailgate of the truck

picture 4 is the front of the camper while hooked up to the truck

picture 5 is the rear of the camper while hooked up to the truck

picture 6 is the rear jacks for the auto-level

and then the picture of both together

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by citgodan

ok, here are the pics with my 2018 F350 and the trailer. Please weigh-in on any concerns. I have many at this point...

of course all of the pics are sideways, but the last one!! I tried to edit and made it worst. the last pic is the largest gap between the trailer and truck


I already have 16" rims on my camper.



the last picture is the bed rails at the hitch

picture 2 is the bed rails toward the end of the bed

picture 3 is the clearance at the rear of the tailgate of the truck

picture 4 is the front of the camper while hooked up to the truck

picture 5 is the rear of the camper while hooked up to the truck

picture 6 is the rear jacks for the auto-level

and then the picture of both together

I would want to see the suspension hangers on the trailer.

I never imagined the leveling system would hang that low. The bed rails/tailgate don't leave much margin for error.

I think the F250 blocks mentioned earlier, might be meaning the 2WD blocks. I thought about doing that when I bought my truck, as well.

[citgodan]

Yes, I have not touched the suspension hangers on the trailer. That is my first thought to have them moved to the lower holes. That would seems to fix being not leveled in my mind since the front of the camper is higher. I have already reached out to Good Sam (extended warranty) and they said this will not void their warranty if a reputable company did the work.

I have a trip to GA planned (I live in central FL) leaving Friday. I think I will just take it easy and try it and then get the work done on the hangers as soon as I return.

[TxLoser]

That lack of clearance from the bed rails would concern me. In my short 4 years of pulling a FW I’ve had an HT with 5-6” at the rails/5 at the tailgate. Currently I have 7” of clearance all around with my Eagle. With 7, I’ve had some serious articulation in a few spots without worry. With the 5 at the tailgate towing my HT, the bed has touched the bottom panel of the front overhang. It was a slow push but enough to break the seal on the caulk where the cap trim runs laterally across the bottom. In my case I was backing into a tight spot and one of the truck’s front wheels slowly dropped into a little culvert on the CG road which raised the rear.

I know it’s not appealing to the eye, but I’d run it a little nose high to avoid that till I could get those hangers dropped. My rear jacks were about the same as yours and no issues on that end.

To all those that say you can’t have too much truck... sometimes you can.

[citgodan]

Thanks for all of the input and suggestions everyone !! I have decided with wisdom from this group and get the suspension work done on the 5th wheel. I will have the suspension lowered to the lowest hole (I can go down one) this will raise the rear of the unit. I believe this should bring the tailgate level up from 3" to hopefully 5" or so.

I appreciate this group for chiming in and for the guidance provided!!

[Jmeilleur]

I am towing a 2014 eagle ht 27.5bhs with a 2019 ford f250 levelled with 35" tires on 20" wheels, and a andersen 5th wheel hitch. The rail clearance was a huge concern of mine. I actually had a rv dealer here in manitoba install a 6" subframe to raise the camper. I now have about 7-8" of rail clearance, and it tows like a dream!

[citgodan]

So I heard some of you mention swapping out the rear blocks on the truck. I think I like this idea better, since there is nothing wrong with my camper! It's the tall truck!

I don't want to do it myself though, would rather a skilled person handle it. Cons for this work being done?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeptlZCDf2M

[Jmeilleur]

Originally Posted by citgodan

So I heard some of you mention swapping out the rear blocks on the truck. I think I like this idea better, since there is nothing wrong with my camper! It's the tall truck!

I don't want to do it myself though, would rather a skilled person handle it. Cons for this work being done?

I believe that would be considered a reverse level. only con I can see would be the same con as a normal levelling kit. Bringing the front end up levels to the rear, so when hooking up trailers it sags. I put a air lift air bag system in to get rid of that.

by removing the rear block you could possibly see some sag hooked up

[nickbnick]

I strongly recommend having your shackles adjusted before doing anything else. I have what is basically the same rmodel camper with 16" tires and truck (other than mine is a long box truck) and it is fine. If you really look closely, my trailer is just slightly high in the front, but it doesn't seem to impact anything. I have been on bumps, gravel, inclines/declines and no problem with clearance. I believe (but am not sure) that the default shackle position is as low as it will go - and you want it adjusted as high as it will go.

Add: I am not currently hooked up, but I have between 3 and 4 inches between the top of the trailer tire and the bottom of the "fender". And no uneven tire wear. Perhaps you can simulate by measuring how much the shackle move will gain you and drive up on blocks that same thickness and see how it looks! For example, if shackle gains you 3 inches, drive up on a couple of 2x8s.

[citgodan]

Originally Posted by nickbnick

I have basically that exact rig. A stock 2019 F350 (SRW 4x4) and a stock 2021 27.5RLTS. Both are indistinguishable from yours. I also was worried about height. Dealer moved camper spring shackle to highest level. I have had absolutely no problems. Tows like it isn't there. B&W companion hitch.

So the maiden voyage worked, but I removed my tailgate just to be sure. At the tailgate, my truck only had 3" clearance. I have the 2017 27.5 rlts and 16" tires so my trailer is already set at the upper spring hangers.

So it looks like my next move is to get my 3" block in the rear of the truck swapped for a 2" block to help with my worries?!?!

My truck is the "Off-Road" edition so I wonder if that is why mine might be taller in the rear?

[citgodan]

Originally Posted by citgodan

Yes, I have not touched the suspension hangers on the trailer. That is my first thought to have them moved to the lower holes. That would seems to fix being not leveled in my mind since the front of the camper is higher. I have already reached out to Good Sam (extended warranty) and they said this will not void their warranty if a reputable company did the work.

I have a trip to GA planned (I live in central FL) leaving Friday. I think I will just take it easy and try it and then get the work done on the hangers as soon as I return.

so I wanted to re-state what I said. I looked and my suspension on the trailer is at the highest level of the 2. I assume that is as high as it can go - correct?

[nickbnick]

Originally Posted by citgodan

So the maiden voyage worked, but I removed my tailgate just to be sure. At the tailgate, my truck only had 3" clearance. I have the 2017 27.5 rlts and 16" tires so my trailer is already set at the upper spring hangers.

So it looks like my next move is to get my 3" block in the rear of the truck swapped for a 2" block to help with my worries?!?!

My truck is the "Off-Road" edition so I wonder if that is why mine might be taller in the rear?

I will take some measurements tomorrow. In the picture it doesn't look like you have as much space above the trailer tires as I do (also 16"). Glad your maiden voyage went well.

[citgodan]

Originally Posted by nickbnick

I will take some measurements tomorrow. In the picture it doesn't look like you have as much space above the trailer tires as I do (also 16"). Glad your maiden voyage went well.

I appreciate the help. I would love to raise the trailer vs truck at this point. I know I have flip
-flopped on this answer. Its only $280 to change the camper if i can...

[madmaxmutt]

I am still unclear if your axles are connected in the lower hole, or not. That would be my first move. Attach pictures of you leaf spring brackets, if you can.

[citgodan]

They are def attached to the upper holes.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by citgodan

They are def attached to the upper holes.

I would be raising that first, before any mod to the truck.

[citgodan]

Originally Posted by madmaxmutt

I would be raising that first, before any mod to the truck.

So putting the suspension in the lower holes will actually raise the rear of the camper? If so I will do this.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by citgodan

So putting the suspension in the lower holes will actually raise the rear of the camper? If so I will do this.

The leaf spring height won't move. The trailer will go up.