New Member + towing w Ram 3500

[jcschultz01]

Hi everyone
2018 Ram 3500 with the Aisin transmission and a Pulllrite slider.
Used 2017 Forest River Cherokee, 32' 5th wheel.

The truck pulls the trailer no problem but the truck is so high that the back end of the trailer is 8 inches lower than the front. I can maybe adjust the air ride height down an inch but that is not enough.

Suggestions?

thx

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I'm not a towables guy so can't help with that! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Bob_C]

Raise the pin box, lower the truck, or add a axle lift kit....which I personally would never do......Raising the trailer makes a bigger anchor to pull, steps are harder to climb, side winds affect more when passing or being passed....

[60sumtin]

[momdoc]

Welcome to the forum.

You are joining a good group of folks here with good info to share. Sorry I can't help as we are in Motor Home and know nothing about trailers.

Enjoy the adventure!

[Old-Biscuit]

Really should 'level' the trailer for best towing.

*Lower hitch/raise pin box ----BUT need to maintain at least 6" bedrail clearance
*Raise 5vr by changing leaf spring position in shackles IF you have multiple adjustment holes in shackle mounts. (lowest hole...max height)
*Install LCI alignment kit-----aligns axles and adds 2" in height
*Install lift blocks on each axle with longer 'U' bolts (NOT recommended)
*Add subframe in height needed.....cut shackles off/weld on 2" x 'X' (4" etc) thick walled tubing to trailer frame/weld across tubing for lateral support/weld shackles back on

Those are your options
May need to utilize one or more to achieve level tow set up




Example: Subframe AND LCI Alignment Kit
(EXTREME Example of LIFTING)

[jcschultz01]

Thanks for the responses.
Various solutions suggested online and by local (Twin Cities - MN) shops as well as national vendors including Forest River, Pullrite and Ram include

1. put in pillow blocks on the linkage - 1 inch max was recommended
2. install airbags under the trailer - this sounded REALLY expensive
3. get a lower hitch - the Pullrite 2700 is 17" tall and needs 3" tall rails on the factory pucks in a Ram 3500. Other, non-auto sliders have an adjustable range of 14 to 17" so this might have gotten me 3 inches.
4. replace the existing axle supports with a square steel tube spacer and reinstall the axles.

So I am getting 8' 4x4" steel tube spacers welded to the frame with 2" pipe cross members in an "X" for rigidity. The excellent manager at Absolute Trailer sales, Russell, is confident this will work and it sounds a lot better than the other options. Kind of $$ though and I am trying to get the dealer that sold me a trailer that doesn't work with my truck to pay for the modifications.

Fat chance I know but thought I would try. I'll post before/after pics when I get the trailer next week.

[Bob_C]

Also might want to start look'n at steps......