Leveling your Fifth Wheel

Hman0109 · 09-03-2016, 10:47 AM

Hello Everyone,
I recently bought a Rockwood 8982WS
I have a 2015 Ram 2500 short bed. The back of the truck is pretty high from factory. When the dealer installed my Reese hitch 20K, they installed the one with slider for towing/maneuvering with a short bed truck. But they didn't realize that I don't need that since my Rockwood comes with Reese Revolution pin box (this is probably a subject for another discussion).
Now, after leveling the Fifth Wheel the best way possible trying to keep 6 inches off the side of the bed, the "nose" of the unit is a little high. You can also see a little bit more pressure in the rear tires. Should I leave it like this or try to lower the "nose" compromising the distance from the side?
Any experts?

NMWildcat · 09-03-2016, 11:14 AM

How high is the nose? My sidewinder setup causes me the same problem. I am 1 inch high in the front with the recommended 6" clearance at the tailgate. No problems. I always found if you are within 1 inch of being level then you are good to go. More than an inch? Might have to look at taller tires (if you have room) or a suspension lift.

CaptnJohn · 09-03-2016, 11:31 AM

You may be able to drop the hitch a little and maintain 6" - 7" of rail clearance.

DocGTO · 09-03-2016, 01:35 PM

When I replaced the trailer tires, I went with an 85 series instead of the 80 and that gave me more height in the rear. I always replace the garbage ST tires with commercial grade LTs so that was my fix. Some guys with swap the leaf springs on top of the axel instead of the bottom, or do a lift.

Hman0109 · 09-03-2016, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

How high is the nose? My sidewinder setup causes me the same problem. I am 1 inch high in the front with the recommended 6" clearance at the tailgate. No problems. I always found if you are within 1 inch of being level then you are good to go. More than an inch? Might have to look at taller tires (if you have room) or a suspension lift.

Yes, it's like 1 inch high in the front.I have no problems pulling it. It just looks not right. You can see the rear tires "taking" more weight and if you want to stop for the night on a rest area or Walmart/Campground (

), your house is high in front. Just saying!

DocGTO · 09-03-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hman0109

Yes, it's like 1 inch high in the front.I have no problems pulling it. It just looks not right. You can see the rear tires "taking" more weight and if you want to stop for the night on a rest area or Walmart/Campground (

), your house is high in front. Just saying!

Bring some nice cut 2x8 or 2x10s and back the coach up on to those if you are just stopping overnight and don't plan to disconnect the RV. That does the Rick for me.

Hman0109 · 09-03-2016, 04:54 PM

Got it. But don't forget that I'm also talking about the extra weight in your rear tires and axle.

CaptnJohn · 09-03-2016, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hman0109

Got it. But don't forget that I'm also talking about the extra weight in your rear tires and axle.

Tires and axel. I tow level. On level ground a 4' level is right on. If stopping in a rest area or CB and side to side is off it takes 2 minutes to pull the pin, pull forward 2' and hit the auto level button.

Hman0109 · 09-03-2016, 05:29 PM

Side to side is not the problem Capt

NMWildcat · 09-03-2016, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hman0109

Got it. But don't forget that I'm also talking about the extra weight in your rear tires and axle.

I can't imagine that if the front is only one inch higher than the back that the load on your rear axle is affected that much. The equalizer for your tandem axles should take care of that. And to fix a one inch difference you only have to raise the back 1/2 an inch, or lower the front the same, which is hard to do as most adjustment holes on hitches are spaced one inch apart. Now if you had a 4 to 5 inch difference I can see where you would have a problem. But I guess the only way for you to be positive about axle load is to go to a scale.

Hman0109 · 09-03-2016, 06:07 PM

Scott,
I don't know if I'm worry too much. Just want to hear from people with more experience. The idea is to travel perfectly level, right?

CaptnJohn · 09-03-2016, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hman0109

Scott,
I don't know if I'm worry too much. Just want to hear from people with more experience. The idea is to travel perfectly level, right?

Yes but perfect only comes with luck. 1" will make no difference when towing as road differences will offset that

NMWildcat · 09-03-2016, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hman0109

Scott,
I don't know if I'm worry too much. Just want to hear from people with more experience. The idea is to travel perfectly level, right?

Well... I'm far from an expert on anything😀. We are on our 5th RV and 3 were level and the last 2 were both an inch high in front. I've always been told if you are within an inch of level, you are good to go. Hopefully others will chime in on this.

Harkerr · 09-04-2016, 12:32 PM

You may be able to raise trailer pin ox by changing to different holes

Hman0109 · 09-04-2016, 04:12 PM

Good point. Thanks

Hman0109 · 09-04-2016, 04:13 PM

Thanks Scott. Yes, it's only an inch.

B and B · 09-04-2016, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I can't imagine that if the front is only one inch higher than the back that the load on your rear axle is affected that much. The equalizer for your tandem axles should take care of that. And to fix a one inch difference you only have to raise the back 1/2 an inch, or lower the front the same, which is hard to do as most adjustment holes on hitches are spaced one inch apart. Now if you had a 4 to 5 inch difference I can see where you would have a problem. But I guess the only way for you to be positive about axle load is to go to a scale.

Measure temperature after towing. If rear wheels are taking more load they will be hotter.

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