Fifth wheel leveling

[RVhiker]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I'm by no means a suspension expert.., but installing a spacer block between the leaf springs and axles I wonder what kind of added torque/forces come into play during TV turns, especially on the longer u-bolts? Without some side-to-side reinforcement considerations will the increased distance between (ctr to ctr) the axle to the leaf spring shackles be an issue during TV turns?

Just thinking out loud.

Bob

X2... this is a real cause for concern and thorough investigation. The potential consequences that could occur include serious damage to your frame.

[thomasmnile]

A humorous (sort of) observation. Excepting 4 wheel drive trucks, ya' ever wonder why the Big Three are building trucks with seemingly ever higher bed heights? Seriously, my '05 Ram (2WD) is so high in the back I run the risk of bustin' my butt every time I get in and out of it. I can't even imagine the aggravation it causes some 4x4 owners with their towing setups, even if they haven't had the truck lifted.

[taviking22]

Originally Posted by thomasmnile

A humorous (sort of) observation. Excepting 4 wheel drive trucks, ya' ever wonder why the Big Three are building trucks with seemingly ever higher bed heights? Seriously, my '05 Ram (2WD) is so high in the back I run the risk of bustin' my butt every time I get in and out of it. I can't even imagine the aggravation it causes some 4x4 owners with their towing setups, even if they haven't had the truck lifted.

Not trying to hijack the OP, but I agree with increased bed heights. I had to add a "sissy" step on my end gate that I bought at Cabela's so I could get my old, creaking bones in and out of the bed. Fortunately, the 2 Jayco 5Ws I've owned had pin box setups that matched my truck height for level towing (with added air bags on TV's rear axle).

[Diesel Donnie]

Do you have 20" tires on the trailer or TV? It seems to me that 20" tires on a fiver is not normal- If you have 20" tires on the TV, a smaller rim and tire would lower the tv and lower the front of the fiver- 20"tires on the tv doesn't seem normal-JMHO- DD

Originally Posted by Boubou

Not much space between tires and wheel well, 20"tires.

[tinlizzie23]

I had assumed the 20" meant diameter of installed tire, not rim size, but I could be wrong. Boubou, can you clarify ?

[chipper]

Originally Posted by tinlizzie23

I had assumed the 20" meant diameter of installed tire, not rim size, but I could be wrong. Boubou, can you clarify ?

tinlizzie23,
It's rim size.

Can you imagine a truck with 20" tall tires?
The standard dining table chair seat hight is 18".

[Boubou]

20" on TV and not changing them, just got new tires on them.
I've seen quite a few unleveled 5th wheels due to high trucks. What else can be done?

[255eagle]

You must have a very high truck, or a very low trailer...

I have a 03 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 with a Jayco 255 and I did an axle flip on it but I also had to lower the hitch in my truck as the bottom of the trailer was 10 inches away from the truck box rails. When I flipped the axles I also has to raise the springs in the shackles and mounts as I didn't need that much lift which brought the trailer up exactly 4 inches. With lowering the hitch 1.5 inches and raising the trailer 4 inches it sits almost perfectly level when towing, I could maybe lower my hitch one more set of holes and make it perfect but it's so close now I can't be bothered.

As for stability, it tows much better now being level than it did when it was pin high.

[Boubou]

Originally Posted by 255eagle

You must have a very high truck, or a very low trailer...
.

it's the normal Dodge Ram 4X4 on 20" 's hight. I was at the gas stating this aft (where else!) and a 3/4 ton 4X4 GMC pulled up. it was a lot lower than mine. The Dodge is pretty high. Anyways, I am not sure how that works but if the trailer was longer, would there be less of a drop in the back?
I know there is 4" drop because I measured it, but from looking at it, it looks pretty good.

[Boubou]

and this one.
do you think it's bad enough to raise or should I just stop worrying about it?
thanks
Brigitte

[chipper]

Other than it looking better than my set up, I don't see anything wrong with it.



>>Nice rig<<

[lx22f/c]

I don't own a fifth wheel so not much help but you could do what this guy did. Lol

[Boubou]

Hahahahahah! Really!

[Jayco 228]

Haha that's my dealer here in Edmonton. He always has that rig out at the RV show. It's pretty awesome.

[lx22f/c]

Originally Posted by Boubou

and this one.
do you think it's bad enough to raise or should I just stop worrying about it?
thanks
Brigitte

I personally wouldn't worry about it. I think it looks level enough to just go with it. I have seen a lot of rigs on the road that where not even close. You got a nice set up so just enjoy and put the tape measure away and go have some fun.

[Boubou]

Again, thanks for all of your help here on the forum.
You are all very helpful
Brigitte

[Ry-guy]

I've done some rv leveling in the past. If you do end up looking into it further the best thing is to have blocking put between the top of the leaf spring shackles and the bottom of the trailer frame. You can then gusset the add in piece to take away the side to side stress from the axle. But I would say the setup you have now will work fine. The only concern you might have is some extra weight has been shifted to the back axle with the nose higher. You might want to keep an eye on the back bearings and check that they are not over heating but again they should be fine with that small change in the ride height. Most of the rv's that I have seen lifted needed at minimum 6" and I have seen some lifted as much as 10" (which is way too much in my opinion).

[Boubou]

Originally Posted by Ry-guy

I've done some rv leveling in the past. If you do end up looking into it further the best thing is to have blocking put between the top of the leaf spring shackles and the bottom of the trailer frame. You can then gusset the add in piece to take away the side to side stress from the axle. But I would say the setup you have now will work fine. The only concern you might have is some extra weight has been shifted to the back axle with the nose higher. You might want to keep an eye on the back bearings and check that they are not over heating but again they should be fine with that small change in the ride height. Most of the rv's that I have seen lifted needed at minimum 6" and I have seen some lifted as much as 10" (which is way too much in my opinion).

I'll go and weigh both axles separately see if there is much of a difference in weight. I've gotten into the habit of feeling the tires and breaks for excess heat when we pull over for gas. When we get the unit winterized, we get them to repack the bearings and rotate the tires and check the breaks.

[sabretooth]

I have the exact same Eagle 5th wheel you have. My steps hit at the bottom of my steep driveway. Where did you purchase the lift block kit? And does it negatively affect the warranty on the unit?

Thanks
Sabretooth

Originally Posted by chipper

Your set-up.


I'd add 3" spacers between the axles and springs.
3" won't noticeable difference in towing; and shouldn't through off the center of gravity to cause any issues.

The photo below is of fifth wheel trailer axles. Spacers were made and installed above the axles.