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Old 08-08-2014, 07:42 PM   #1
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How to raise my 5th Wheel 5"

I need to raise my 5th wheel 5". I bought a new truck and the new truck is 5 1/2" taller at the same measuring point than the old one. The axles were already flipped from the RV manufacturer. I spoke to the axle manufacturer, they said there are 2 ways. Weld new spring hangers onto the trailer frame, which is not an option on this 5th wheel. And putting spacers on top of the axle between the axle and the springs. The 5th wheel manufacturer recommends spacers. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Has anybody done it?
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Old 08-08-2014, 07:58 PM   #2
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If the axles are already on the under side of the spring, adding spacers , is really going to increase the side load on the springs and mounts during cornering.
JMHO: For a 5 1/2' raise, I'd look at a 2"x6" box iron welded to the underside of the frame about a foot longer than the existing suspension mounts and remounting the whole suspension to the new box iron.
My last 5er came from the factory with a similar set up.

EDIT: More info on your 5er may make answering your question easier for others , year , length etc.
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Old 08-08-2014, 07:58 PM   #3
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I've installed many sets of spacers in trucks, in fact my truck came factory with 4" blocks as part of the HD package.

Cheaper, easier and just as reliable However I'd try to go no more than 4", after that you start putting a lot of stress on the springs during side loading such as turning and especially backing up.
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Old 08-08-2014, 08:01 PM   #4
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Would it help to look into getting a tail gate with a Y one V type cutout?

Just a thought, since I don't have a 5er....


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Old 08-08-2014, 09:23 PM   #5
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Google this: dexter axle flip kit

I flipped the axles on my 35' HR about five years ago. Took about 4 hrs with help from a friend.
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Old 08-09-2014, 07:17 AM   #6
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Another issue is going to be your over all height of the 5th wheel. How high is the highest point on you unit now with the axles flipped? Raising it another 5" mat put you well over the 13'6" height. Curious what truck did you buy that the bed rails are that high to require that much lift of the 5th wheel to clear?
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Old 08-09-2014, 08:09 AM   #7
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Skip has the best idea. Also use plenty of cross bracing between the pieces added to the frame. What did you have for a truck before and what do you have now?
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Old 08-09-2014, 02:21 PM   #8
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Skip426 I don't understand how it can put extra tension on the springs and mounts while cornering. If new ubolts are installed and torqued correctly and you use solid cold roll, how can there be any extra tension?

TEDGARD01 No it won't help. It's actually the height of the bed that is interfering.

barlow 46 That's what I said in my original post. The axles have already been flipped.

D Lindy I will be well under 13'6". I have a 2014 Dodge 4x4 CCSB
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Old 08-09-2014, 04:00 PM   #9
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Put a lowering kit on your truck, don't screw up the trailer.
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Old 08-09-2014, 04:09 PM   #10
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Take the box off of the truck and put on a deck. As mentions raising the 5er may cause clearance problems, certainly in camp grounds with trees. You will have to add a step at the bottom other wise will have a leap. As well it will be more difficult to handle in a cross wind.

On the positive side you will be less likely to drag the back end going in and out of parking lots.
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Old 08-09-2014, 04:31 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldgeezer View Post
Skip426 I don't understand how it can put extra tension on the springs and mounts while cornering. If new ubolts are installed and torqued correctly and you use solid cold roll, how can there be any extra tension?

barlow 46 That's what I said in my original post. The axles have already been flipped.
You sure did and I missed it. I can't see how a flipped axle fifth wheel could need 5 additional inches of lift to match a new truck. What make and model of truck did you buy and what hitch and pin box do you have. I know my F450 4 x 2 is the same height as an F350 4 x 4 in the model year 2004. When I flipped the axles on my HR with 16" tires, the whole rig leveled out. I had a standard hitch and a trailsaver pin box. How much clearance are you going for over your rails?
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Old 08-09-2014, 04:54 PM   #12
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Put a lowering kit on your truck, don't screw up the trailer.
5 1/2 inches is quite a bit.

Without knowing what truck you bought this was my thought as well.

Did you go from a old F-250 to a F-650 MDT?
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Old 08-09-2014, 07:36 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by oldgeezer View Post
Skip426 I don't understand how it can put extra tension on the springs and mounts while cornering. If new ubolts are installed and torqued correctly and you use solid cold roll, how can there be any extra tension?
Simply by adding the blocks to raise the springs off the axles. The bigger the block the longer the "lever" for the axles to put tension on the springs. In my opinion you would be far better off keeping the springs bolted to the axles and adding a spacer above the springs.
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Old 08-09-2014, 07:53 PM   #14
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I have a 2014 Dodge 4x4 CCSB

Kind of interesting in the need for 5"--not a Dodge guy, but haven't heard of that much clearance needed when the axles are already underslung.
What is the fifth wheel causing this much trouble--a real short one?

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