User Tag List

Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Raising our 5er

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Fireside Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    94
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Raising our 5er

    Our 5th wheel rides about 2 inches high in the front. We checked into lowering our 2017 F350 DRW truck, but we can't do that. So, now we are considering raising our 2014 Grand Design Solitude 5th wheel trailer. Have any of you done such a thing to your 5er? What are the pros and cons, dangers, pitfalls etc.
    test

  2. #2
    Site Team xrated's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    "Murvul", TN
    Posts
    3,357
    Mentioned
    135 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Have you tried lowering the 5ver hitch in the bed of the truck? How much clearance do you have right now as far as bedrail clearance? Also, some of the king pins are adjustable for height! I would certainly check into those options before I tried raising the trailer.
    2016 F350 CrewCab Dually
    2018 Momentum 394M...Heavily Modded!
    2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT+
    Excessive Payload is a Wonderful Thing

    "If it ain't fast....It ain't Fun"

  3. #3
    Fireside Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    94
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    We have 5 inches of clearance between the bed rails and the 5er. Lowering the hitch and thus the trailer wouldn't allow enough clearance between the truck and trailer. I took the truck and trailer to a specialty spring and chassis shop that has been in business for 80 years and are very well respected in this area. They said that I can't lower the truck and that only leaves raising the trailer. They can do the work and I trust them to do it well. However, I haven't talked to anyone who has done this and I'd like to hear about their experience before I just move ahead with all the unknowns.
    test

  4. #4
    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Wherever...
    Posts
    9,016
    Mentioned
    187 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by KLR650goldwing View Post
    We have 5 inches of clearance between the bed rails and the 5er. Lowering the hitch and thus the trailer wouldn't allow enough clearance between the truck and trailer. I took the truck and trailer to a specialty spring and chassis shop that has been in business for 80 years and are very well respected in this area. They said that I can't lower the truck and that only leaves raising the trailer. They can do the work and I trust them to do it well. However, I haven't talked to anyone who has done this and I'd like to hear about their experience before I just move ahead with all the unknowns.
    I've not done it myself, but several GD owners I know have put spacer blocks between the springs and axles to raise the trailer. Just be aware that doing so increases the lateral forces on the spring hangers and the equalizer mount. The spring hangers are the weak point - but there are ways to reinforce them. You'll also have to make adjustments for everything from the entryway steps to the levelers and landing gear.

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  5. #5
    Rolling Along
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    The Independant State of Alberta
    Posts
    696
    Mentioned
    8 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by KLR650goldwing View Post
    Our 5th wheel rides about 2 inches high in the front. We checked into lowering our 2017 F350 DRW truck, but we can't do that. So, now we are considering raising our 2014 Grand Design Solitude 5th wheel trailer. Have any of you done such a thing to your 5er? What are the pros and cons, dangers, pitfalls etc.
    Are you experiencing handling issues, excessive tire wear etc? Fifth wheel trailers typically tow nose high.

  6. #6
    Seasoned Camper
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Posts
    335
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I know I provided an option in the RV.Net thread you started but I thought about another option. I don't know what size rims and tires your rig has but is there room to go with bigger tires and rims? That would raise you up some.

  7. #7
    Long Hauler huntindog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Posts
    2,175
    Mentioned
    33 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Overall height can become a bridge clearance problem on 5vers.
    I do not know anything about your unit. Generally 13'6" is considered the safe max.

    As far as raising with lift blocks, I have done it sucessfully on two TTs.
    2021 398M Full Body Paint 8k axles. LRH tires. Disc brakes.
    Two bathrooms, no waiting 155 fresh, 104 black, 104 grey 1860 watts solar.
    800AH BattleBorn Batteries No campgrounds 100% boondocking
    2020 Silverado High Country 3500 dually crewcab Duramax Allison

  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper That 1 Ron's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    NW NM
    Posts
    217
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I surprised that shop told you that they can’t lower your f350. You can most certainly lower your f350. The easiest and cheapest method is a set of lowering shackles but really there’s different springs, air suspension, and spring under conversions if you really want to go low. I lowered a bunch of trucks for customers in my past life. I’m not really into low trucks so I would probably lift your trailer depending on how high it’s already sitting. Did a bunch of that too. Most commonly, we basically built a 2” or 4” subframe underneath the trailers factory frame and welded new spring hangers onto that. I would advise against adding lift blocks under the springs due to the added stress they put on the u-bolts, springs and hangers. If the springs ride underthe axles on the trailer, you could also do a spring over conversion.
    2020 Grand Design Imagine 2400BH
    2017 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Double cab

  9. #9
    Fireside Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    94
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I was surprised that he advised against lowering the truck also. When I went to the specialty shop I fully expected that lowering the truck would be the method to be used. However, the tech at the shop did the measurements and concluded the back of the truck would need to be lowered 2" in order to level the 5er. That would cause the back of the truck to be lower than the front, which he said would adversely effect the handling of the truck. He added that when the back is lower than the front the back tends to wander from side to side. Our trailer is only 13' tall so we do have some room to raise it without causing bridge issues.
    test

  10. #10
    Site Sponsor Richter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Near Pittsburgh, PA
    Posts
    489
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Is there an option for smaller tires/wheels on the truck? That would keep it on the same plane that it is now, just a little lower, overall...
    Tom and Janice (known as Tom in PGH on the “other” forum)

    First came the 18' Comfort bumper-pull, was great for 20 years.
    Now a 2019 Reflection 303RLS, second air, double glass, table and chairs
    2019 F350 Lariat (Diesel) 4x4 Crewcab with lots of goodies
    Andersen aluminum with the puck system holding it all together
    Cranberry Twp. PA, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

DISCLAIMER:This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grand Design RV, LLC or any of its affiliates. This is an independent site.