How to Raise Trailer to Allow it to Sit Level When Towing

Question:

I cannot get the skid plate to level out. I have made sure I was on level ground and lowered my Lilfoot Rocker to its lowest bolting point in the truck bed, have 60 psi in the air bag and the sidewinder cannot be raise up into the pin box any further without binding on the box ears. The skid plate is not level... 1 thought: When the sidewinder was installed into the pin box could there be enough play up and down that if someone held up the front nose while anotehr bolted it up could that make a difference in the skid plate level? I am at a loss...any suggestions? thank you.

asked by: Bradley M

Expert Reply:

You mentioned that the trailer is on level ground, but is the trailer sitting level on the level ground? If not, then that would explain why you can't get the skid plate of the # 5AB-E1621-610 to sit level.

If you can't get the trailer to sit level because your hitch height is too tall you would need to raise the trailer up so that it can be leveled.

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.

expert reply by: Jameson C