Can a Gooseneck Horse Trailer Be Raised to Avoid Making Contact with 1997 Dodge Ram 2500

Question

Question:

I have a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 Club Cab 6.6ft bed pickup I purchased to pull my 16ft horse trailer. It is a stock 4x4 truck. When it is hooked up on level ground the tongue tube is all the way up at the minimum setting and it sits perfectly level. The rig looks perfect. However, if I get on any bends or binds the trailers rails very quickly get down and touch the bed rails or the tail gate. If I raise the tube to lessen this risk I will put the trailer pitched up in the front and it will drag on even the most mild terrain in the rear. The previous owner of the trailer had the tube set like it is in an F350 and damage to the rear occurred all the time and the trailer rode at a very steep angle. What is the right thing to do? How much pitch up in the front of a gooseneck is ok? Can I lift the suspension in the rear to compensate and keep it level? Any help would be great, I can send pics if that would help. Thanks!

asked by: J. M

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Expert Reply:

I have a couple of possible solutions for you. First, though, you should check to make sure all of the suspension components are in good working order and replace any damaged or worn parts.

If the axle on the trailer is a 3 inch round axle and the spring seats are currently mounted to the bottom of the axle, using the Dexter Over-Under conversion kit, # K71-385-00, that you have referenced will provide a few more inches of height. But this will also change the center of gravity of the trailer and could increase sway problems.

Another option is to add suspension enhancement to the trailer using one of our Timbren systems specifically designed for trailers. I have included a link to them for you. There are certain parameters for these kits. For example, the # TTRA15252, is designed for trailers with an underbody steel frame. If this kit would work for you, it would raise the trailer and prevent bottoming out.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

The most common way to lift a trailer is to move the axles 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…

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Answer 2

Hi Kat, The rubber bumpers that we offer are all 96" in length but can come in different widths. Based on the dimensions you provided i your pictures the #D3-96 is going to be the best fit, but you will have to cut it down to size.

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Answer 3

The closest we have to match those measurements is going to be the H-Channel for Enclosed Trailer #36281-955 which has an internal width of 1.027" and a height of 2". We do also have a C-Channel #362213-955 which has an inside measurement…

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Answer 4

Increasing the tire and wheel size can increase the height of the trailer but it's usually quite minimal. Before you do anything else you should see if the pin box can be adjusted. Although you have to be careful here since This will lower the…

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Answer 5

Hey Jaime, yes you can replace your 25-1/4 inch 3,500 lb axle leaf springs with a 5k rated axle spring like the part #e44SR. This will increase the suspension's weight capacity and might make the ride quality a little rougher but it would fit and…

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Answer 6

Hey Patrick, so for your leaf spring upgrade I am going to need to know a couple of things before I can get you over to the right part. Specifically, the length from eye to eye, the spring width, leaf thickness, and the number of leaves. From here I…

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Answer 7

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit, part #K71-384-00, is specified by Dexter for use only with double-eye springs. It is not suitable for use with slipper springs. It is considered by our technical friends at Dexter to be unsafe to use…

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Answer 8

I have checked the installation instructions for the Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit #K71-385-00, and according to Dexter they strongly recommend tack welding the spring seats in place. Please note that this kit is intended for use…

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Answer 9

Yes when you do an over-under kit you have to weld the seats to the axle for it to be installed properly. It is recommended to tack weld the new spring seats into place but a complete weld job is not required when installing the over-under conversion…

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Answer 10

First, thank you so much for providing all the axle information on your 2007 Fleetwood Redline 33. The 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring #e47SR is our closest match to the Lippert 702096 leaf springs that came on your trailer. You will want to order 4 of…

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