Solution to Raise Trailer Suspension so that It Can Sit Level and have Bed Rail Clearance

Question:

I have the offset adapter on a short box gmc! I turned with it and it hit the box rail of my new truck! It was a little uneven ground! I have seen some say that the distance between the box rail and the bottom of the 5 th wheel camper is supposed to be 6 inches? Mine is not! If I adjust it for this clearance then the camper would probably not be level when I am pulling! I have adjusted king box because I used to pull with a jacked up truck and it did the same thing to that truck! Can I adjust this adapter with the two big bolts to raise up camper? And will that solve my problem? Or do I need to just get a fifth wheel hitch that slides when I am turning! The problem is not clearance from camper to cab it is to have more room between from bed rails to under side of the fifth wheel of camper!

asked by: Bill S

Expert Reply:

You need 6 inches total between the overhang of your trailer and the bed rails of the truck for safe clearance.

Sounds like you need to raise the trailer so that you can be level and still have the needed clearance.

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