How to Lower Nose of Trailer When Trailer Overhang is 6 inches from Truck Bed Rails

Question:

I have a 2015 Keystone Sprinter 293FWBHS with a 2015 Ram 3500 Longbed Crew Cab 4X4 DRW and a BandW Model 3600 Hitch. Question Will moving the pivot arms position on the hitch 4inch behind axle lower the nose on the 5th wheel? Currently there is 6inch of clearance between bed and 5th with the hitch in the medium height position over axle and the 5th wheel is dry with no cargo.

asked by: Randall M

Expert Reply:

Adjusting the head of your B and W Hitch part # BWRVK3600 forward or back in the bed of the truck will not allow the nose of your trailer to sit any lower. The only way to do that is to raise the suspension of the trailer or lower the height of the hitch/pin box. Since you currently have 6 inches between the bed rails of your truck and the overhang of your trailer you really won't want to lower the hitch/pin box since you may encounter interference between the trailer and the truck bed.

Your best option will be to raise the trailer.

You can do this by moving the axles from being above the leaf springs to below the leaf springs.

The diameter of your trailer axle will determine the size of the parts that you will need to order. If your axle is 3 inches diameter, the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit, # K71-385-00, would be a great choice and if your axle is 2-3/8 inch diameter you could use the Over-Under Kit, # K71-384-00. These kits can be installed without welding but the manufacturer strongly recommends having the new spring seat tacked in place on the other side of the trailer axle.

Some refer to this process as "flipping the axles," but since axle has a slight bow to it you can't just flip them and reinstall them under the springs using the same spring seats. You have to install new spring seats on the opposite side of the axle so that it can be moved below the spring.

If your axles are already in this configuration you could also go with taller suspension hangers.