Need to Level 5th Wheel Trailer that Rides High at the Front with 2015 Ram 2500

Question:

2012 Flagstaff 26foot 5th wheel with Al-Ko axles Pull truck: 2015 Ram 2500 with new MOPAR spider 5th wheel saddle Old truck: F-150 My 5th wheel was dead level when coupled to the 150 with at least 6inch between truck rails and bottom of trailer. Present situation with new truck: Saddle is full down, king pin hitch is at old setting. When hooked up the 5th wheel is nosed up some with only 4.5 inches between rails and trailer. If I raise the saddle up one setting 2 wont that raise the trailer nose even more? I can drop the pin box down one setting 1 1/8 which will give me rail to trailer clearance and maybe not raise the nose much. I think that would be the best way to gain the clearance from the rails but Ill still be nose up some. Can the Al-Ko axles automatically spread the load on the tires? If not, what now coach? Thanks guys!

asked by: Shawn C

Expert Reply:

When towing a 5th wheel trailer you will want to have at least 6 inches from the tops of the bed sides to the bottom of the trailer overhang. If you adjust your trailers pin box up it will lower the nose but will also bring it closer to the tops of the bed sides. What you will need to do is raise the back end of the trailer.

To raise the back of the trailer there are a couple of options. First, if the trailer uses double-eye leaf springs that are mounted UNDER the axle then you could use an over/under conversion kit. For a 2-3/8 inch diameter round axle use # K71-384-00. And for a 3 inch diameter round axle use # K71-385-00. This will move the leaf spring stack to the tops of the axles and you will gain some height equal to or slightly more than the diameter of the axle.

What this will do is get the trailer more level without making the front too close to the tops of the bed sides.

If your trailer uses slipper springs, has leaf springs already on top of the axle, or the axle diameter is not 2-3/8 or 3 inches (or if the axle is square) then the other option is to have a qualified professional welder remove the old suspension hangers and weld on new, taller hangers. I have included a link to the hanger main page for you.

expert reply by: Michael H