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12-14-2012, 04:21 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 626
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Fifth wheel leveling
Question: we have a 2013 jayco Eagle HT 23.5 fifth wheel.
Our truck is 4x4 and too high. The pin on the fifth wheel is at the max (no room for adjustment), we use the Superglide hitch and the fifth wheel axles are already flipped.
On the truck, we have timbrens.
The trailer is about 4 inches low in the back. I need a way to get it level. I'm told i could get brackets or something to bring the trailer up but my concern is with the center of gravity. The other thing I could do is get a spacer out from the timbrens letting the truck settle a bit more but this may affect the ride and probably won't give me anymore than two inches off the back of the trailer.
Suggestion?
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12-14-2012, 04:57 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Louisiana (southeastern)
Posts: 468
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Can you drill an extra set of holes in the Pin Box, to move it up a bit? I did this on my previous trailer.
You say the axles are already flipped. They're mounted below the spring? If it came this way from the factory, I don't see where lifting it a bit will change the center of gravity much.
I lifted a trailer 4" without any noticeable change in towing ability.
__________________
Chipper
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax LBZ, CC, 4X4
2005 Jayco Talon ZX24-E Toy Hauler(SOLD).
2017 Forest River Hyper Lite XLR
Prodigy P2 Brake Control
12K Husky Straight Line WD Hitch
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12-14-2012, 06:02 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 626
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Fifth wheel leveling
Quote:
Originally Posted by chipper
Can you drill an extra set of holes in the Pin Box, to move it up a bit? I did this on my previous trailer.
You say the axles are already flipped. They're mounted below the spring? If it came this way from the factory, I don't see where lifting it a bit will change the center of gravity much.
I lifted a trailer 4" without any noticeable change in towing ability.
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The pin box is all the way up against the cap already, the rv dealer said they'd have to cut into the box to bring it up. Not an option.
Yes, the axles came flipped right from the factory, not sure why.
Is there a way to calculate the Center of gravity.
How much would I need (to get it) to lift it to regain the 4" drop on the rear? Also, How much is acceptable? Maybe get it lifted just enough...?
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12-14-2012, 07:13 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Luray, VA (central Shenandoah Valley of VA)
Posts: 1,430
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Not absolutely positive, but I would calculate it this way. If the trailer were sitting unhitched with a 4 inch rise in the front and corresponding 4 inch drop in the back, it would take a 2 inch drop in the front to raise the rear 2 inches, and then it should be level. Therefore, a 2 inch lift at the axles in the center (pivot) should give you the desired height to be level when hitched. JMHO. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my logic.
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2003 Ford F-350 V-10 Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed
2004 Jayco Designer Medallion 29 RLTS 5th wheel
Bill, Gayle, Teddy (Jack Russell terrier), and Honey (Beagle)
Retired at last !
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
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12-14-2012, 07:16 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 626
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Fifth wheel leveling
Thanks
Trailer is 143" high now, that would bring it up to 145 " does that sound like a reasonable height? How about center of gravity?
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12-15-2012, 12:10 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Northern Cal
Posts: 409
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An easy way to figure how much to lift the axles would be to pull the 5er up on blocks until it becomes level.
Then if you lift it I wouldn't corner to fast.
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2012 Jayco Eagle 321RLTS
2008 Dodge Cummins 3500 DW Crew Cab 4x4 6 speed Auto, Exhaust Brake
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12-15-2012, 12:13 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 626
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Fifth wheel leveling
I wish I wouldn't have to do this.
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12-15-2012, 12:36 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 427
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We experienced the same problem- In our case, the rear of the 4x4 tv was much higher than the front- We used aftermarket shackles to level the rear of the tv- This plus flipping the axles solved our problem- I am more concerned with towing level than I am about raising the center of gravity- JMHO- DD
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Fulltiming since July 1, 1999 currently with a 2005 GMC Sierra 3500 cc drw towing a 2007 Jayco Eagle 341RLQS
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12-15-2012, 12:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 626
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Fifth wheel leveling
Not much space between tires and wheel well, 20"tires.
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12-15-2012, 02:04 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Louisiana (southeastern)
Posts: 468
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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.
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Chipper
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax LBZ, CC, 4X4
2005 Jayco Talon ZX24-E Toy Hauler(SOLD).
2017 Forest River Hyper Lite XLR
Prodigy P2 Brake Control
12K Husky Straight Line WD Hitch
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12-15-2012, 02:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 626
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Fifth wheel leveling
Yep, that's mine
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12-15-2012, 02:49 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Louisiana (southeastern)
Posts: 468
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tinlizzie23
Not absolutely positive, but I would calculate it this way. If the trailer were sitting unhitched with a 4 inch rise in the front and corresponding 4 inch drop in the back, it would take a 2 inch drop in the front to raise the rear 2 inches, and then it should be level. Therefore, a 2 inch lift at the axles in the center (pivot) should give you the desired height to be level when hitched. JMHO. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my logic.
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I don't believe this is correct.
The Fulcrum point would be the fifth wheel Pin, not the center of the two axles. Adding spacers at the axles will not lower the front of the trailer(front cap). It will however, raise the entire trailer. The point that will be raised the most, is the farthest point from the Fulcgum.
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Chipper
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax LBZ, CC, 4X4
2005 Jayco Talon ZX24-E Toy Hauler(SOLD).
2017 Forest River Hyper Lite XLR
Prodigy P2 Brake Control
12K Husky Straight Line WD Hitch
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12-15-2012, 02:53 PM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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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
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2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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12-15-2012, 04:59 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Luray, VA (central Shenandoah Valley of VA)
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Chipper - perhaps you misunderstood my point. I was not saying that adding 2" height to the axles would lower the front. Instead, I was saying that UN-hitched, you would need to lower the front 2" to get the trailer level. That would mean that, again UN-hitched, level condition would put the pin 2" lower than the hitch socket. Therefore, raising the entire trailer at the axles by 2" would allow you to hitch up in a level condition. JMHO
__________________
2003 Ford F-350 V-10 Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed
2004 Jayco Designer Medallion 29 RLTS 5th wheel
Bill, Gayle, Teddy (Jack Russell terrier), and Honey (Beagle)
Retired at last !
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
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12-15-2012, 06:50 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Louisiana (southeastern)
Posts: 468
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tinlizzie23
Chipper - perhaps you misunderstood my point. I was not saying that adding 2" height to the axles would lower the front. Instead, I was saying that UN-hitched, you would need to lower the front 2" to get the trailer level. That would mean that, again UN-hitched, level condition would put the pin 2" lower than the hitch socket. Therefore, raising the entire trailer at the axles by 2" would allow you to hitch up in a level condition. JMHO
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The problem he is having, is with the 5er hitched to the tv, not un-hitched.
__________________
Chipper
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax LBZ, CC, 4X4
2005 Jayco Talon ZX24-E Toy Hauler(SOLD).
2017 Forest River Hyper Lite XLR
Prodigy P2 Brake Control
12K Husky Straight Line WD Hitch
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12-15-2012, 06:52 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 626
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Fifth wheel leveling
Quote:
Originally Posted by chipper
The problem he is having, is with the 5er hitched to the tv, not un-hitched.
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Just trying to find the best/safest/simplest option
Thanks
Brigitte
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12-15-2012, 09:46 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Luray, VA (central Shenandoah Valley of VA)
Posts: 1,430
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OK, chipper - one more try. Take your diagram. If he is 4 inches too high in front while hitched, and 4 inches too low in the rear, then raising the trailer in the center by 2 inches should raise the rear by 4 inches, assuming he is still hitched at same height. As in your diagram, pivot (fulcrum) will now be at the hitch. That should make him level.
__________________
2003 Ford F-350 V-10 Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed
2004 Jayco Designer Medallion 29 RLTS 5th wheel
Bill, Gayle, Teddy (Jack Russell terrier), and Honey (Beagle)
Retired at last !
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
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12-15-2012, 09:49 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 626
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Fifth wheel leveling
Sounds good to me...
That won't bing the front down?
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12-16-2012, 06:53 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Louisiana (southeastern)
Posts: 468
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tinlizzie23
OK, chipper - one more try. Take your diagram. If he is 4 inches too high in front while hitched, and 4 inches too low in the rear, then raising the trailer in the center by 2 inches should raise the rear by 4 inches, assuming he is still hitched at same height. As in your diagram, pivot (fulcrum) will now be at the hitch. That should make him level.
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See Quote below. The front is not 4" too high.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boubou
The trailer is about 4 inches low in the back. I need a way to get it level.
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Although, I'll have to agree with you.
A 2" spacing( rise) at the axles should bring it pretty close to level.
__________________
Chipper
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax LBZ, CC, 4X4
2005 Jayco Talon ZX24-E Toy Hauler(SOLD).
2017 Forest River Hyper Lite XLR
Prodigy P2 Brake Control
12K Husky Straight Line WD Hitch
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12-16-2012, 09:51 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 626
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Fifth wheel leveling
thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it.
I will bring the trailer in a trucking shop where they deal with that kind of stuff and get it raised. I was mostly concerned with the height I had to go to and the centre of gravity but sounds like I should not have to worry about raising 5th wheel a couple of inches.
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