Am I Level Enough?

richp · 09-13-2019, 03:54 PM

Hi,

Brand new truck mated to my current fiver, and it is 3" taller at the bed than the old truck. With the pin box at its upper max one way, the hitch as low as it will go, and six inches of space above the bedrails, it sits a couple of inches nose high.

The picture shows how it's riding with the full weight of the rig on the hitch (I didn't bother fully raising the legs for this picture).

Any thoughts on how this is going to work in the long run?

Thanks.

Rich Phillips

richp · 09-13-2019, 04:34 PM

Hi,

I have received a message asking me not to double post, but if I have done that inadvertently, I apologize.

I only can see this one post, but if there is another one that I can't somehow access on this smart phone, moderators please feel free to delete it.

Thanks and please overlook what likely is a result of my technical ineptness.

Rich Phillips

**Mr. Dan** · 09-13-2019, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richp

Hi,

I have received a message asking me not to double post, but if I have done that inadvertently, I apologize.

I only can see this one post, but if there is another one that I can't somehow access on this smart phone, moderators please feel free to delete it.

Thanks and please overlook what likely is a result of my technical ineptness.

Rich Phillips

Site Team note:
You may reply to the message asking you not to double post that he should report it as a problem and let the site team handle the issue.

You won't be able to see the other post because the site team has already deleted it. However, generally stated, when a member initiates a duplicate thread, the member usually knows it.

richp · 09-13-2019, 04:51 PM

Hi Dan,

Quite right. Thinking back, I did try to post it once and the phone seemed to lock up, so I tried again. My bad.

Rich

nayther · 09-13-2019, 04:56 PM

I'm about the same as you, these new trucks are tall! My Toy Hauler was better but still a bit nose high. Mine tow decent, I think it would be better if it were level but only way to do that is to raise the trailer. Yours looks like the springs are under the axles as your trailer sits fairly low, flipping the axles would certainly fix it but you'll raise your trailer about 4"-5" overall. Another in between option is the Mor Ryde alignment kit, I believe that raises it about 2"

BandJCarm · 09-13-2019, 04:58 PM

Hmmm.

Hmmmmmm.

I have no clue. It seems if you do anything to level, the back of trailer is going up, and the front down. If that happens, you are in even worse shape at the rails.

Hmmm.

frank4711 · 09-14-2019, 07:16 AM

In the pic looks like front camper jacks are still down??

**Mr. Dan** · 09-14-2019, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank4711

In the pic looks like front camper jacks are still down??

He said that in the 2nd paragraph of post #1.

TheWolfPaq82 · 09-14-2019, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank4711

In the pic looks like front camper jacks are still down??

From OP: "The picture shows how it's riding with the full weight of the rig on the hitch (I didn't bother fully raising the legs for this picture)."

TheWolfPaq82 · 09-14-2019, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richp

Hi,

Brand new truck mated to my current fiver, and it is 3" taller at the bed than the old truck. With the pin box at its upper max one way, the hitch as low as it will go, and six inches of space above the bedrails, it sits a couple of inches nose high.

The picture shows how it's riding with the full weight of the rig on the hitch (I didn't bother fully raising the legs for this picture).

Any thoughts on how this is going to work in the long run?

Thanks.

Rich Phillips

You look better than about 95% of the 5vers I see everyday.

**Mr. Dan** · 09-14-2019, 07:48 AM

I’d run that set-up without another thought. The parking lot lines don’t help with visual perspective.

TowPro · 09-14-2019, 08:33 AM

Just careful of the rear corners of truck bed hitting under camper overhang.
Where this happens is say you are coming out of a gas station that is sitting several feet lower than the road, as you pull up the hill and the truck onto the road, the trailer is still coming up the hill out of the gas station but the truck is now level on the road so the camper to truck angle changes.

As your truck is turning to make the turn back onto the road the rear bed corner can contact the underside of 5er.
don't ask me how I know, but I was lucky and it did "buff out"

frank4711 · 09-14-2019, 08:34 AM

Yep looks good

frank4711 · 09-14-2019, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

He said that in the 2nd paragraph of post #1.

Sorry - Got it ... as I said looks good ... 6 inches is good I am told for rail clearance ... just go slow over those transitions in and out of gas stations ...

Boomerweps · 09-14-2019, 10:46 AM

Looks adaquate for towing to me. Better bed wall clearance appears to be a plus.
Have you found a good long level space to measure height front and back of the 5er? Rear clearance would be my only concern given the data supplied.

richp · 09-14-2019, 04:22 PM

Hi All,

I appreciate the feedback, which sort of confirmed my own conclusions.

I also recall that my last two trucks hauling fivers in this size range had their rear springs settle an inch or two as I piled up the towing miles. So I should get some further settling toward an even more level towing posture as time goes on.

Thanks again.

Rich

cfo111 · 09-14-2019, 04:43 PM

If you see a trooper who has separate scales ask him if he would you with a weight problem. I got help from a trooper in TN. See if you are carrying more weight on the rear tires which means you are riding to high in front. And could be a problem with tires letting go. the more lever you are the tires equal weight on all wheels. Just a thought.

old40ford · 09-14-2019, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richp

Hi,

Brand new truck mated to my current fiver, and it is 3" taller at the bed than the old truck. With the pin box at its upper max one way, the hitch as low as it will go, and six inches of space above the bedrails, it sits a couple of inches nose high.

The picture shows how it's riding with the full weight of the rig on the hitch (I didn't bother fully raising the legs for this picture).

Any thoughts on how this is going to work in the long run?

Thanks.

Rich Phillips

My new truck is a little worse than yours is in the photo and it tows ok. I have done all that you have and my axles are already under the springs so I don’t know what to do with it. I have been reading about changing the spring blocks on the rear of the truck but I don’t know about what it would do to the warranty.

richp · 09-14-2019, 05:03 PM

Hi old40,

On my first Duramax - a 2001- I installed aftermarket shackles to lower the rear of the truck and solve the level towing problem. After several years of towing, the springs had settled and I reinstalled the OEM shackles.

Wasn't all that big a job as I recall, and it's probably what I would have considered doing on this 2019 if it had been really out of whack.

FWIW.

Rich

old40ford · 09-14-2019, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richp

Hi old40,

On my first Duramax - a 2001- I installed aftermarket shackles to lower the rear of the truck and solve the level towing problem. After several years of towing, the springs had settled and I reinstalled the OEM shackles.

Wasn't all that big a job as I recall, and it's probably what I would have considered doing on this 2019 if it had been really out of whack.

FWIW.

Rich

Thanks Rich, I have found those online and I will give them a try. Really inexpensive.

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