Need to raise 5th wheel

PhoneDude 8289 · 06-11-2016, 05:47 PM

Changed trucks and now RV is nose high. Found a lift kit from dexter that will raise the RV 2 1/2", that is about what it needs. My questions are, should I leave it nose high, is it safe to lift the RV, will a lift affect the frame, other than the additional hight is there anything else I should be concerned about, will handling change a great deal. I have 4k# dexter torsion axels, Dexter sells the bolt on kit to raise the frame. 8 bolts per axel doesn't look like too tough of a job. My trailer is the 2014 8289WS that's in my signature.

B and B · 06-11-2016, 07:52 PM

Mine is lifted. Works great. The kit is bolt on, they did it in Goshen a couple years ago.

PhoneDude 8289 · 06-12-2016, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoneDude 8289

Changed trucks and now RV is nose high. Found a lift kit from dexter that will raise the RV 2 1/2", that is about what it needs. My questions are, should I leave it nose high, is it safe to lift the RV, will a lift affect the frame, other than the additional hight is there anything else I should be concerned about, will handling change a great deal. I have 4k# dexter torsion axels, Dexter sells the bolt on kit to raise the frame. 8 bolts per axel doesn't look like too tough of a job. My trailer is the 2014 8289WS that's in my signature.

Ordered Lift kit from Dexter today. When I install it I'll let you know how it worked out with pictures.

mstell2 · 06-12-2016, 05:54 PM

You will like the lift. My wife and me installed mine, it's easy.

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

abomb · 06-12-2016, 08:13 PM

Does anyone have pics of the lifts? I needed to put one in for the same reason. I used the Correct Track system, it aligns the axles and lifts the trailer 2". Over all the camper came up 3 1/2" in the rear.

18CrewDually · 06-12-2016, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abomb

Does anyone have pics of the lifts? I needed to put one in for the same reason. I used the Correct Track system, it aligns the axles and lifts the trailer 2". Over all the camper came up 3 1/2" in the rear.

The original post has torsion axles. The Correct Track kits I'm familiar with are for leaf spring axles. They're 2 entirely different mounting systems.
It's basically just a spacer between the frame and axle mounts.

GreenImp · 06-13-2016, 12:39 AM

20 years ago I never would have dreamed I'd ever say this, but these days I would much rather lower my truck than raise my trailer.

...I am of at least average height, and I already struggle to reach things in the bed sometimes

...most modern trucks (4x4's anyway) have WAY too much space in the wheel wells already (my opinion)

...lifting the trailer will raise it's center of gravity (bad)

...lowering the truck will lower it's center of gravity (good)

...lifting the trailer will increase the distance to the first step when entering

...lifting the trailer will increase the distance needed for all leveling jacks/landing gear every time you set up

just sharing my thoughts is all

Kenny kustom · 06-13-2016, 06:57 AM

Agreed.
I lowered my 2015 ram 3500.
Just the rear, about 1.5".
Lowered the hitch head too.
Now I have a level truck and trailer.

2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

abomb · 06-13-2016, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hokiehall

Welcome to the site. Look around and feel free to comment.

Yep. Didn't realize it was a different system. I had put mine on leafs. Thanks for the pic though.

robertew · 06-13-2016, 03:24 PM

I can identify with your problem and concerns. My F150 4 X 4, was extremely high in back. When I set up one time, I realized I needed to add an additional block under the front tandem tire. I jacked it up just a little, not even raising that tire off the ground while the back tire was off the ground already! It caused me to realize that by not being level, the torsion suspension caused much of the trailer weight to be carried on the back tire. The previous year, I'd blown a rear tire, shortly after starting the 1300 mile trip home. So, I headed for Harbor Freight and bought the tools and removed the "raising block" from the pickup. That brought the back of the pickup down 2". After I got home, I realized the combination still wasn't level so ordered a Dexter lift kit. I did make the kit work though my axles were the earlier Alco, or something like that. So, these two modifications greatly leveled the trailer.

archgard · 06-13-2016, 03:54 PM

Kenny Kustom, can you please explain in detail how you lowered your 2015 ram 3500 (I have the same truck and would also be interested in the same modification. 2012 8244ws Diamond Package 5th).

ksmith954 · 06-13-2016, 04:48 PM

Kenny kustom · 06-13-2016, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archgard

Kenny Kustom, can you please explain in detail how you lowered your 2015 ram 3500 (I have the same truck and would also be interested in the same modification. 2012 8244ws Diamond Package 5th).

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ng-107646.html

Easy!!

2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

BandJCarm · 06-13-2016, 05:27 PM

Ask a 20 year old. Clearly they all know how to do it! LOL

archgard · 06-13-2016, 05:36 PM

Kenny Kustom
Perfect, picture says a thousand words

That's the way to do it.

trbomax · 06-13-2016, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenImp

20 years ago I never would have dreamed I'd ever say this, but these days I would much rather lower my truck than raise my trailer.

...I am of at least average height, and I already struggle to reach things in the bed sometimes

...most modern trucks (4x4's anyway) have WAY too much space in the wheel wells already (my opinion)

...lifting the trailer will raise it's center of gravity (bad)

...lowering the truck will lower it's center of gravity (good)

...lifting the trailer will increase the distance to the first step when entering

...lifting the trailer will increase the distance needed for all leveling jacks/landing gear every time you set up

just sharing my thoughts is all

Agree with this.I lowered my f250 2" in front and 4" in rear.

CraigBean7672 · 06-14-2016, 09:50 AM

I read in one of the towing or hitch guides not to run nose high, however, you may want to weigh your rig before you decide. In my situation, my 8289WS has more weight on the front axle which suggests it may be running nose low. I plan to hook up and take some measurements this weekend and could end up raising the nose on my unit to transfer weight to the rear axle.

If your 8289WS is setup the same with the refer and oven on the left side slide, it appears the left is the heavier side.

My left front wheel is the heaviest, the left side heavier than the right, and the front axle is more than the rear. Considerably so...

Attached is my weight sheet.

Jim in Halifax · 06-14-2016, 03:34 PM

Why use lifts???? Why not raise/lower hitch in truck???

GreenImp · 06-14-2016, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim in Halifax

Why use lifts???? Why not raise/lower hitch in truck???

With a 5th wheel, the front of the trailer overhangs the truck bed. Because of this you can only lower the hitch so far before running into clearance issues between the trucks bed side rails and the trailer. The recommended minimum clearance is generally 6" (my current setup has 5" of clearance when on level ground).

PhoneDude 8289 · 07-17-2016, 10:34 AM

I did get the 5th wheel raised 3" and it was perfect for the Ram 2500. Here are pictures I said I would post. Before raising the RV it was almost 5" nose high. Took me about 6 hours to install the lift kit, I was alone. Towed level with my previous truck an 08 Tundra.

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