5th wheel level while driving

[boubou]

How level front to back should the 5th wheel be when hitched to the truck?
Just weight it and 20% on hitch which is good but I had to load mostly in the back to keep the weight off the hitch. The fifth wheel sits lower on the back than the front.

[transamz9]

Have you pulled it like this yet? How did it pull before you move the stuff? Was your truck overloaded before? If it tows ok now like this then do you have any room to lower the hitch in the truck bed?

[Dave_Monica]

Level front to back is always best. How far out of level is it? If it's less than 2" front to back, probably not a big deal. I'd still try to level it if you have adequate clearance above the truck's bed rails. You only have to lower the hitch (or raise the pinbox) half the difference that you've measured.

Dave

[boubou]

Have to measure it, cannot remember exactly but I think it's near 2"
Towed very nice, no chucking, sitting normal in the truck. 1.5" sag with timbrens.
My guess is we changed tires from P275/60R20 to LT 275/65R20 (you know those darn 20's) so truck sitting a little higher than when the hitch got installed.

[boubou]

Originally Posted by transamz9

do you have any room to lower the hitch in the truck bed?

6" between bed rails and 5W

[transamz9]

You could drop your hitch 1 hole. Just watch the uneven ground. Mine has 5" and I have never come close to hitting.

[boubou]

Had the rig in for adjustment and tech said no room to adjust unless we cut into the front nose cap (not going to happen). Truck is 4x4

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by boubou

Had the rig in for adjustment and tech said no room to adjust unless we cut into the front nose cap (not going to happen). Truck is 4x4

??? To gain clearance over the bed rails? Are you trying to drop the hitch to make the camper more level?

You said the truck's rear only drops 1.5"...is it level? If you were to increase the gap on the timbrens and allow the truck to settle more, it would drop the nose of the camper down.

How far out of level is the camper?

Dave

[Chicken Legs]

Had to raise the camper. No adjustment on pin box to have needed bed rail clearance. Dealer had a square tubing welded under camper frame and then attached spring shackles under that tubing. Camper is close to level and I can get up drive without back end of camper dragging. Works great. Ok on overall height 12'6"

[boubou]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

??? To gain clearance over the bed rails? Are you trying to drop the hitch to make the camper more level?

Camper is 4 inches higher behind landing jacks than at back
Almost 6 inches between camper and rails

You said the truck's rear only drops 1.5"...is it level? If you were to increase the gap on the timbrens and allow the truck to settle more, it would drop the nose of the camper down.

Truck is nice and level now and that is a great suggestion but I've the 275/65R20 and I'd like to keep the 4.5 inch space i've got now between tire and wheel well ...

How far out of level is the camper?
4 inches
Truck is 4X4
Pretty disappointed with the choice i made when getting that truck, probably will trade up in a year or two to a 3/4 ton or 1 ton and not 4x4 which makes truck too high

Dave

If no solution, should I worry?

[boubou]

??? To gain clearance over the bed rails? Are you trying to drop the hitch to make the camper more level?

Camper is 4 inches higher behind landing jacks than at back
Almost 6 inches between camper and rails

You said the truck's rear only drops 1.5"...is it level? If you were to increase the gap on the timbrens and allow the truck to settle more, it would drop the nose of the camper down.

Truck is nice and level now and that is a great suggestion but I've the 275/65R20 and I'd like to keep the 4.5 inch space i've got now between tire and wheel well ...

How far out of level is the camper?
4 inches
Truck is 4X4
Pretty disappointed with the choice i made when getting that truck, probably will trade up in a year or two to a 3/4 ton or 1 ton and not 4x4 which makes truck too high

Dave

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by boubou

If no solution, should I worry?

A 4" difference from front to back is a fair amount. Even if you could drop the front an inch for a 2" difference overall, it would be much better.

The only other option is to raise the camper 2" using spacer blocks at the leaf spring mounting points as mentioned earlier.

Dave

[boubou]

Thanks Dave, I'll see if I can get a spacer put in the back.
I appreciate the help . Wish the RV techs cared half as much.

[Mike101]

Your post made me look at my set up again. Thank you. My super springs brings up the back of the truck by 2 inches. When I hook up, the trailer brings the truck down 1 1/2 inches. I have 6 inches from rails to bottom of trailer. and my trailer is the same hight off the ground front and back. Would have never really thought all about this till your post. I hope things are going well and the kinks getting worked out. Be safe and great summer.

[boubou]

I obviously worry way too much and over analyze things

[bakken]

Originally Posted by boubou

I obviously worry way too much and over analyze things

Well, that is far better than not worrying at all, like far too many seem to do!