fifthwheel

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tucows

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Jan 29, 2005
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I got a older fifthwheel camper , with a 01 dodge 1 ton 4x4.
heres my problem, the truck is a little tall and the trailer a little low. does any know if it would hurt to put the leaf springs on top of the axels. :?:
 
I'm not sure how "lifts" would work on a camper. Most camper come with the springs under the axles. The only way to lift it would be to increase the shackle length. I have "flipped" the springs on two 5th wheel campers. By flipped I mean I moved the springs over the axles. You need to weld on new spring perches to maintain the proper arc in your axles. I have seen folks just roll them (axles) over. This is bad. It changes the whole geometry of the setup. The problem with moving the springs over the axles is the increased height of the trailer will make it move around a little more. By this I mean when passing a semi or being passed by one you will notice it moves a little more. Higher center of gravity. Also your steps might require an extra step up box or something. I carry a plywood step box to put under the steps.

Another way is to lower the truck. There are spacers between the axle and the springs. For some reason the manufactures have decided higher looks better so they space them up. Ford even offered a kit (free of charge) to lower theirs.

Just a couple options
 
well thanks for all the info you all gave me. think i will probbally have the trailer lifted a little. hate to tear into a new truck.
 
tucows":1e59duoo said:
well thanks for all the info you all gave me. think i will probbally have the trailer lifted a little. hate to tear into a new truck.
Click to expand...

Tucows, just make sure you get someone who knows what they are doing to keep the correct geometry of the trailer axle setup. My 5th wheel has one of those hitches that doesn't hang down very far so I didn't have to mod my trailer for my current truck. That may be an option for you also. Maybe they can put a different neck on your trailer. My old camper had the long neck and would have went down the road on its rear bumper on this truck.

Oh, and if you go spring over on your trailer, make sure you get some really good shocks on it as it will bounce like a basketball.
 

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