Truck bed clearance and trailer level

[Genr8rs]

We have a 2015 Eagle HT 27.5 with Moride suspension and a 2014 Silverado 2500 HD Z71 with a B&W Companion hitch. When trailer is level we have about 3" clearance above bed rails. The B&W was at its lowest setting. Couldn't make turns with little grade changes without touching. I moved the B&W up 2 bolt holes to middle attachment setting which raised the pin and plate point about 2" and got about 5 " of clearance above bed rails but the trailer is now a bit nose high or not level. How critical is the level aspect vs clearance? I will scale it this week to check axle weights to see if they are unbalanced badly.

[Colorado]

I’d rather have extra clearance than perfect level IF I had to choose between the two. My guess is that you can adjust the height of the camper, if needed at the spring hangers. If you push a lot of miles on it, you can also rotate the tires to keep the wear even if needed...

[Mopar_Earl]

Not much you can do. Bed rail clearance is top priority.

If your trailer has adjustable suspension, it should be in the lower holes of the hangers for the most height.
If your trailer has 15" wheels, you can gain some leveling by going to 16".
You can also raise the trailer with correct track. They also make a version that just raises the trailer without the alignment cams.


Earl

[NewBlackDak]

I feel your pain. I have 3” of adjustment at the hitch. At the lowest setting I only have about 4.5” of bed clearance, and the fiver is still about nose high. This is after installing the Morryde CRE-3000 which lifted the trailer about 2”. My hangers were already on the lowest setting. I’ve been think about correct track, but if I don’t install a low profile air conditioner at the same time I’ll be over 13’6”.

[SeventyGTX]

Originally Posted by Mopar_Earl

Not much you can do. Bed rail clearance is top priority.

If your trailer has adjustable suspension, it should be in the lower holes of the hangers for the most height.
If your trailer has 15" wheels, you can gain some leveling by going to 16".
You can also raise the trailer with correct track. They also make a version that just raises the trailer without the alignment cams.


Earl

Yep, I'm betting he is on 15"s. Could be on the upper holes as well. Goodyear Endurance 235/80/16 raised my FW 2 1/2" over the original 15's.

[Genr8rs]

I am on 15s, axles are already mounted under the springs, don't see adjustment holes in the hangers. Maybe gonna be what it's gonna be. I will check for taller tire when I change them. Will be scalling tomorrow to check all my weights and diff between both axles to see if I loaded the rear heavier. Also have a TPMS coming.

[SeventyGTX]

Originally Posted by Genr8rs

I am on 15s, axles are already mounted under the springs, don't see adjustment holes in the hangers. Maybe gonna be what it's gonna be. I will check for taller tire when I change them. Will be scalling tomorrow to check all my weights and diff between both axles to see if I loaded the rear heavier. Also have a TPMS coming.

Here is a pic of one of the 15's I had on my Wildcat and the new 16's I put on. When I got the Jayco, I made a deal that they put the Goodyears/16's on it when I traded in the Wildcat. The difference in size is substantial...

[TxLoser]

It really is. I’d never seen them side by side.

[SeventyGTX]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

It really is. I’d never seen them side by side.

Just for reference, that is a 235/80r/16 next to a 225/75r15.

The only drawback is my X-chocks wouldn't fit between them. But that minor issue pales in comparison to the raised ride height and piece of mind knowing I have much higher load rated tires.

[TxLoser]

I’d agree. Good choice all around.

[NewBlackDak]

Thought I would show how bad mine is. Trailer is level, and truck is unloaded.

[SeventyGTX]

Originally Posted by NewBlackDak

Attachment 60212
Thought I would show how bad mine is. Trailer is level, and truck is unloaded.

Yep, Gen 4 Ram 4x4's are tall and mine is similar to the pic with the auto-level off. When I was shopping for a new truck, I went around and measured the bed height 2500's with coil springs compared to 3500's with leaf's. The 3500 was lower by quite a bit which surprised me. I was going to get one, then found my current truck in my sig with auto-level which lowers it about an inch and a half when you hit the button.

[billcf7]

Don't know if you have 205 or 225's but that will gain you just over half inch. 16" could increase by as much as 3 inches and axle lift 2 inches


https://tiresize.com/tires/Goodyear/Endurance.htm

https://www.etrailer.com/p-LC407131....HT+Fifth+Wheel

[Genr8rs]

Since my blowout this past week on the interstate, I found the wheel is rated for load range E and 80 psi. I intend to go to a 10 ply tire, that might help a bit. But I don't want the extra cost of 16" tires with new wheels. Put on the 10 ply and it will be what it will be. Close enough.

[JaycoJoe66]

There is also the option of changing the spring shackle on the truck. There are kits to lower the truck either by 1 or 2 inches. I believe the 2 inch one on a duramax 2500hd is a bit more difficult than the 1 inch but you still can change them

[RLow]

I have same problem. I have a Jayco Eagle 317RLOK. I have 16" wheels. I tow it with a Ford 350 Diesel 4X4. When I bought the trailer they put the axels on top and gave me as much room on the 5th wheel hitch as they could. The front of the trailer is still high.

What is this "Correct Track" you talk about? Is it designed to give me the few inches I need?

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by RLow

I have same problem. I have a Jayco Eagle 317RLOK. I have 16" wheels. I tow it with a Ford 350 Diesel 4X4. When I bought the trailer they put the axels on top and gave me as much room on the 5th wheel hitch as they could. The front of the trailer is still high.

What is this "Correct Track" you talk about? Is it designed to give me the few inches I need?

The Correct Track is actually designed to help correct trailer alignment issues. The design of it just happens to allow for some lift.

[BLTravels]

Originally Posted by Genr8rs

I am on 15s, axles are already mounted under the springs, don't see adjustment holes in the hangers. Maybe gonna be what it's gonna be. I will check for taller tire when I change them. Will be scalling tomorrow to check all my weights and diff between both axles to see if I loaded the rear heavier. Also have a TPMS coming.

The TPMS will help you see if the rear axels are heating up too much or more than the front. If not you are okay with being a little high as others have stated because the clearance is critical. Do a little searching here and you will find lots of discussion on your subject and the Correct Track.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by BLTravels

The TPMS will help you see if the rear axels are heating up too much or more than the front. If not you are okay with being a little high as others have stated because the clearance is critical. Do a little searching here and you will find lots of discussion on your subject and the Correct Track.

The CRE 3000/4000 suspensions seem to do a good job of evening out the weight on the axles as a side benefit.

[Radcolt]

I am looking at the Jayco Eagle HT trailers. Dealer is getting a bunch in this week. I have 2018 Ram 3500 MegaCab short bed SRW 4x4 diesel with 20” tires. We just sold our Merhow 3 horse trailer with 15 foot living quarters. With two quarter horses, hay, tack, and gear, it had a confirmed tongue weight of 3300 lbs. I used to pull my previous fifth wheel with a 2013 F250 SRW 4x4 diesel with a pullrite slider with no clearance issues. I upgraded to the Ram due to the increased payload capacity (4100 lbs) and beefier suspension to pull this heavy horse trailer. I also added a Roadmaster Active Suspension to the Ram to help with body roll and a better ride when pulling the heavy horse trailer.

Looking at the specs on the HT fivers, the tongue weight is just over 1000 lbs. The Roadmaster Active suspension did raise my bed height an inch. I am currently sitting at 58” at the axles and 59” at the tailgate. It is easy to remove it if I need to gain an inch, but it makes for a smoother ride when not towing. I will need to by a Reese rail adapter to fit into the Rams puck system so I can use my Pullrite slider. This will raise the hitch about 2”. It sounds like I will need to opt for 16” tires and adjust the holes for max height on the new HT trailer.

I guess my question is how much bed sag should I expect on these HT Eagle trailers. I really would like a trailer under 35” and the price on the HT series is more in line with what I want to spend. They seem to be great value with a lot of similar features to the higher end Jayco fivers.

Thanks for any input.