Lifting 5th wheel for larger tires

[wde]

Has anyone used Trailer Block kits to lift their 5th wheel.
This company is in Canada.
I need to lift my 5th wheel approximately 1.5 - 2 inches to give clearance to change from 15 to 16 inch rims and tires.
I have been looking at either the Trailer Block kit which goes between the leaf spring and seat or the Lippert Correct Track install to get this lift.
Would appreciate any experience or knowledge about either system and the pros and cons of one versus the other.

Thanks

[MtBiker]

Why would you change from 15" to 16" tires and wheels. Ground clearance?

[Windjammin]

I don't have any knowledge of the Trailer Block kit so cannot comment on it. I did have the Lippert Correct Track system installed in order to raise my trailer for additional clearance from a slideout bracket near the tires and to have it level the trailer when hooked up to the truck. Happy with it so far.

[nayther]

I've heard good things about the Correct Track as well. I'd be leery of blocks between spring and axle. Are the axles under or over the springs?

[wde]

Originally Posted by MtBiker

Why would you change from 15" to 16" tires and wheels. Ground clearance?

The reason is that I just got through having $3200 worth of repairs done from damage caused by a tire blowout on a less than 1 year old camper.
The pathetic tires that Forest River put on this camper combined with the fact that they are rated just at the trailers weight capacity made me decide to go to larger rims so I could install better tires with more margin for weight capacity.

[wde]

Originally Posted by nayther

I've heard good things about the Correct Track as well. I'd be leery of blocks between spring and axle. Are the axles under or over the springs?

Axles are over springs, so the only options are the blocks or the Lippert kit.

[ard58]

Why don't you just get heavier ply tire, or higher load index numbered tire? Be cheaper than 4 new wheels.

[tande]

Lifting may not be the only consideration ......will the axle spacing allow larger diameter wheels & tires?? ......

[#1BAMAFan]

Agree with ard58. I recently upgraded (after two blow outs in 30 miles) from E rated Chinese Bombs to G rated Goodyear G514 RSTs--They are like semi tires. Not cheap but after my roadside experience, DW won't stand for that any longer.

[wde]

Originally Posted by ard58

Why don't you just get heavier ply tire, or higher load index numbered tire? Be cheaper than 4 new wheels.

No tires available in a higher rating in size 15 inch.
Already have E rated 15 inch which are 2840 lb.
Since I was going to replace all five low grade OEM tires from Forest River anyway, might as well go better tire and weight rating.
Doesn't take long at $3200 a pop to get my money back.

[wde]

Originally Posted by tande

Lifting may not be the only consideration ......will the axle spacing allow larger diameter wheels & tires?? ......

Yes

[acadianbob]

Are you sure you have to lift? Going from 15" to 16" will only bring you 1/2" closer to your trailer. I can't imagine that clearances are that tight. Also, you could go to a slightly smaller tire in the next load range up and still gain a lot of weight capacity. The smaller size might get you back that 1/2". So, I'm saying if you have a ST235/15 now, try looking at a ST 225/16. Check out overall diameter. I wouldn't immediately assume that you need to lift.

[Springerdad]

Originally Posted by MtBiker

Why would you change from 15" to 16" tires and wheels. Ground clearance?

Higher load carrying capacity. I went from 15" D's to 16" E's on my former TT after a tire failure. Considering going to F or G 16's on our new 5er.

[wde]

Actually, going to 16 inch tire will add 1.25 in (28.25in in 15's and 30.75 in 16's).
This will get me to within approximately 1.5in of my deck in wheel well.
Think I better go up a little to allow clearance for tire movement while travelling.

[wde]

Originally Posted by Springerdad

Higher load carrying capacity. I went from 15" D's to 16" E's on my former TT after a tire failure. Considering going to F or G 16's on our new 5er.

Same reasoning for me

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by wde

Axles are over springs, so the only options are the blocks or the Lippert kit.

Umm, I'm not real swift on this. Help me a little.

If I understand correctly, the "blocks" you describe fit between the axle saddles and the springs. You would replace the U-bolts with longer U-bolts, right?

But if the axles are over the springs, that would have the effect of lowering the trailer, not raising it, right?

Wouldn't it be easier, cheaper to just replace the shackles with longer ones? If you replace just the shackles with longer ones, you will gain an inch for with a two inch longer shackle. If you can find equalizer arms that have more lift, the same applies. That is, (assuming two axles), you replaced all four shackles with shackles an inch longer and both equalizer arms with arms with an inch more vertical depth, you would ride a inch higher.

Larry

[jtesta1]

Check your height before making changes. Don't wanna hit low objects.

[wde]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Umm, I'm not real swift on this. Help me a little.

If I understand correctly, the "blocks" you describe fit between the axle saddles and the springs. You would replace the U-bolts with longer U-bolts, right?

But if the axles are over the springs, that would have the effect of lowering the trailer, not raising it, right?

Wouldn't it be easier, cheaper to just replace the shackles with longer ones? If you replace just the shackles with longer ones, you will gain an inch for with a two inch longer shackle. If you can find equalizer arms that have more lift, the same applies. That is, (assuming two axles), you replaced all four shackles with shackles an inch longer and both equalizer arms with arms with an inch more vertical depth, you would ride a inch higher.

Larry

You are correct, I misspoke.
My springs are over the axles so adding the 1.5 in blocks will raise the trailer 1.5 in plus the 16 in tires will add another 1.25 in to total trailer height.
The block kits I am looking at actually come with the longer u-bolts and they are 9/16 grade 8 bolts instead of the factory 1/2 grade 5 bolts.

[Walholler]

Your saying that you want to put 16 inch rims & tires on because you cannot find a dependable 15 inch tire. Have you looked at the Maxxis 8008 tire in 15 in. diameter, Load Range E. I removed the China bombs after 200 miles on our new Prime Time 5th wheel and replaced those with the Maxxis. I now have around 7500 miles on the Maxxis without incident.

[MOODMAN]

Have you considered just reinforcing the wheel well area? That way, you could just get higher quality tires and IF you had a blowout, it wouldn't cause damage.