Fifth Wheel Over-Under Suspension Kits to Raise Trailer Height for Better Clearance at Truck

Question:

I have ano open range 5th wheel camper. I have a 2016 Chevrolet 2500HD truck. My camper only clears the bed by a couple of inches and the rear of the camper almost drags the ground. Is it possible to lift the height of the camper? The camper was supposed to be half ton to wallet but it was to much so we bought the truck that we have now and are still unable to pull it.

asked by: Teresa

Expert Reply:

It is important for good handling that a trailer be very close to level. With a 5th wheel setup sometimes a truck that has been lifted or that has large tires can leave you with the trailer nose-high. For reference, the recommended minimum truck-to-trailer clearance for 5th wheels are shown in the linked diagram.

There are several ways to level a 5th wheel. One is to adjust the mounting position of the trailer pin box. If you have space on the trailer's pin box mounting wings to raise its position, this will lower the trailer nose. 5th wheel hitches also have height adjustments but you still need to maintain correct clearances as noted in the diagram.

Another way to go is to install an axle over-under kit on the trailer that swaps the positions of its leaf springs and axles. These bolt-on kits are available for two axle diameters, 2-3/8-inches and 3-inches. If your trailer has a 2-3/8-inch axle you will use kit # K71-384-00 (one kit per axle) or for a 3-inch axle use kit # K71-385-00. These kits give you a height increase on the trailer of the axle diameter plus the height of the leaf spring stack.

expert reply by: Adam R