Tow Vehicle for 303RLS & 337RLS

**WhittleBurner** · 11-22-2014, 02:58 PM

We have the truxedo deuce cover on our ford putting the rails at 55@ 1/2 inches. When we ordered our 303 we ordered it with 16 inch wheels. To do that they had to change the brackets to accommodate them, but that puts our overhang at 63@1/2 inches.

**Cate&Rob** · 11-22-2014, 03:26 PM

Hi Gary,

Great information !
I have been thinking through different alternatives to gain 2" in frame ride height and accommodate 16" wheels and tires which have a 30" diameter vs the 28" diameter for the 15". Spacer block discussion elsewhere on this forum.

Did GD build your 303 with 16" wheels or was this modified by your dealer ?
When you say "brackets" do you mean the spring hanger brackets ?
Did you consider different/re-arched springs to gain the ride height clearance for the larger tires ?

Rob

**notsosan** · 11-22-2014, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by KZ

I have the 3500 Ram. I have noticed that I use more DEF when pulling. I was told by my dealer to expect it to use more.

DEF consumption is related to the amount of fuel being consumed. You use more fuel towing, you will use more DEF.

http://www.noxblue.com/def-usage-q-a/

KZ · 11-23-2014, 09:16 AM

Thank you Nick. The URL was informative. I will go back to my dealer and discuss this, as my DEF usage when towing was greater per gallon than driving free,

**WhittleBurner** · 11-23-2014, 02:11 PM

After we had placed our order we asked the dealer if we could get it with 16 inch wheels. They said they would check to see if it was too late or not. To get them they said GD would have to use longer brackets so as to accommodate the larger wheels. I believe they were talking about the brackets that the springs bolt up to. They have to know early on as they are welded to the frame.

**Cate&Rob** · 11-23-2014, 03:15 PM

On our 303 with 15" wheels and 28" diameter tires, the spring hanger bolts are 4 1/4" below the frame rail.
This gives us 3" jounce clearance (loaded) and GD says design jounce clearance was 4" empty.
From your description, I would expect your spring hanger bolts to be 5 1/4" below the frame rail.
I think the way for the rest of us to get to this is to use spacer blocks such as
http://www.trailerblocks.com/collect...ing-tie-plates
This would raise the RV frame about 2" higher and allow me to tow level.

**Eaglehead** · 11-25-2014, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Cate&Rob

On our 303 with 15" wheels and 28" diameter tires, the spring hanger bolts are 4 1/4" below the frame rail.
This gives us 3" jounce clearance (loaded) and GD says design jounce clearance was 4" empty.
From your description, I would expect your spring hanger bolts to be 5 1/4" below the frame rail.
I think the way for the rest of us to get to this is to use spacer blocks such as
http://www.trailerblocks.com/collect...ing-tie-plates
This would raise the RV frame about 2" higher and allow me to tow level.

Are you saying the link to the kit is what will fit the 303RLS? I need to raise mine 3".

**Dave and Monica** · 11-25-2014, 11:08 AM

I'd be wondering if the addition of those blocks between the spring and axle would void warranty...GD or LCI axles.

Dave

**notsosan** · 11-25-2014, 01:12 PM

I don't have my trailer here to look but are the axles mounted above or below the springs?

**Cate&Rob** · 11-25-2014, 01:23 PM

A valid question WRT whether adding spacer blocks or any other suspension or wheel & tire modifications would void GD or LCI warranty.

The GD answer to those wanting to upgrade from 15" to 16" wheels creates an impossible situation. The required 4" unloaded jounce clearance cannot be maintained with 2" larger diameter tires and no changes to the suspension. Has anybody figured out how to tow a 303 level with a recent tow vehicle and a reasonable overhang to box clearance ? I think GD owes an answer on this . . . somebody must have done the design math to expect a level tow of a 303 on 15" wheels and tires with an "average" tow vehicle.

The one inch blocks shown in the previous link seem like a reasonably modest change to regain the tire clearance and get the 303 high enough for me to tow level. 3" blocks as needed by Eaglehead would seem like way too much. (BTW, axles are already under the springs)

Perhaps LCI could offer different springs to carry the 303 frame 1" higher and accomplish the same thing as the spacer blocks ?

Rob