Too high?

[stephndudb]

Just got a new truck, which is taller than the old one. Front end of trailer (by the landing gear) is now 1.5" above level. Rear end is now 1.5" below level. Can't raise the trailer. Can't lower hitch because our driveway requires lots of bed rail clearance. Only option is to use drop shackles to lower the brand-new truck. Is that necessary? Don't really want to mod a 3 day old truck unless this is overstressing the trailer's rear axle. Tires should be OK because we are running Load Range E Maxxis. Thoughts?

[DaveSchwartz]

You are way nose high although the bed-rail clearance looks good. Not only could you start grounding-out the tail but you've shifted a lot of weight from the front axles to the back axles on the trailer (Torflex axles do not do a good job of equalizing the load). Even with the LRE tires you are going to be getting a lot of difference in the wear and you may now be over the rear trailer axle weight rating (which is usually marginal at GVRW even with equal distribution).

You need the Dexter lift kit (a.k.a. frame spacer kit Torflex).

[stephndudb]

The lift kit is a no-go. Per the Dexter web site: "Lift kits cannot be used with Torflex axles produced with 3" brackets." Our 8289WS has 3" brackets. So, the only option is lower the truck.

[DaveSchwartz]

Bummer.

Even trade on trucks?

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by stephndudb

The lift kit is a no-go. Per the Dexter web site: "Lift kits cannot be used with Torflex axles produced with 3" brackets." Our 8289WS has 3" brackets. So, the only option is lower the truck.

Have you gotten the axle numbers and called Dexter? I looked at the "how to" pictures and they reflect my 2017 526RLWS.

[Wobbles]

What is the measurement from the ground to the top of your bed rails?

[canterburyshoe]

I was in the same boat as you and I was able to add the lift kit to my 2013 8289WS with torflex axles. Dexter number K71-707-02. I went to the scale before I did the lift to see how far off I was on weights. I split the axles and the rear axle came in over weight. So even though you are safe on tires you may not be on axles. Front axle 2900. Rear axle 4300 and they are only 4000# axles. So if you weigh both axles together you might think you are all set, when there is considerable weight difference. After the lift kit front axle 3300. Rear axle 3900. So there is still a 600 lb difference I am at least under the gross axle weight rating.

[Bama Rambler]

I had the same problem. I bought a new GMC truck and had the dealer install a lowering kit. It lowers the front 2" and the rear of the truck 3". Which is enough for the RV to be level.

I wouldn't be concerned about having a lowering kit installed on the new truck, because it's easy to go back to stock height if the need ever comes up.

[stephndudb]

Canterburyshoe: That's the lift kit I was looking at. But, looking at your pictures, aren't your axles mounted on a "3 inch bracket"? Fortunately, my 2017 has 5000# axles, so I've got a little more wiggle room, but I still have to do something.

[stephndudb]

Thanks, Bama. Was the lowering kit a GM product or aftermarket? Is your truck on the helper springs all the time now? I was thinking about lowering the back 1" to start. That would put my trailer 1.5" above level at the hitch. Not perfect, but better.

[radio flyer]

If you lower the truck in the rear, watch the angle of your drive shaft etc, it can cause problems.

[Flybob]

Larger tires and wheels.

[PhoneDude 8289]

I had the same problem when I traded trucks. I got with Dexter and ordered there lift kit. 2-5/8" lift at the axels put truck and RV almost dead level with 5-1/2" of bed clearance. A few hours work and well worth it. I didn't want to mess with the truck suspension and happy I didn't.

[stephndudb]

Originally Posted by radio flyer

If you lower the truck in the rear, watch the angle of your drive shaft etc, it can cause problems.

That's why I'm only considering a 1" rear drop (for now). It'll help the trailer some and shouldn't be enough to cause pinion angle problems. I figure it'll get me through the season and I can consider something more drastic in the spring (Full truck drop kit front/back? Custom frame/axle work on the trailer?). I'll be calling Dexter tomorrow, too.

[Crusadernoob]

Another reason torqflex axles aren't much good. Here's my take, decide what your keeping longer, truck or trailer and do the work on that, no sense lowering the truck if you trade every 2 years, or the trailer for that matter. See where I'm coming from. Just keep in mind if you do the truck and trade it pretty much all of them are high now a days and you would do it again.

[stephndudb]

Originally Posted by Crusadernoob

Another reason torqflex axles aren't much good. Here's my take, decide what your keeping longer, truck or trailer and do the work on that, no sense lowering the truck if you trade every 2 years, or the trailer for that matter. See where I'm coming from. Just keep in mind if you do the truck and trade it pretty much all of them are high now a days and you would do it again.

Good point. In this case, they're both brand new and we'll probably go 10 years on both. Wasn't planning on a new truck this year, but our 2004 6.0 Powerstroke had other ideas (a whole other thread).

[Crusadernoob]

Originally Posted by stephndudb

Good point. In this case, they're both brand new and we'll probably go 10 years on both. Wasn't planning on a new truck this year, but our 2004 6.0 Powerstroke had other ideas (a whole other thread).

I would be looking into raising the trailer and then, and I would seriously look at new heavier axles, with leaf springs, maybe even disc brakes, axles are cheap. Once and done and forget about it.

[stephndudb]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

What is the measurement from the ground to the top of your bed rails?

57.5"

[stephndudb]

Originally Posted by DaveSchwartz

Bummer.

Even trade on trucks?

This truck is a WHOLE 'nuther story... Our '04 Ford diesel stranded us on the side of I-80. We got back home with it (after $1200 of repairs) and the turbo started acting up. We weren't going to put another $1500+ into that truck but we needed a new one before our next trip this coming Saturday. This GMC was a 2016 leftover the dealer wanted to unload fast. It's loaded but a gasser. I'm not going to start the whole diesel vs gas thing again, but the numbers and our usage style came down on the side of gas this time, so we bought this truck Friday, put the hitch in yesterday, and hooked up today. And so the new set of problems began...

[Bama Rambler]

Originally Posted by stephndudb

Thanks, Bama. Was the lowering kit a GM product or aftermarket? Is your truck on the helper springs all the time now? I was thinking about lowering the back 1" to start. That would put my trailer 1.5" above level at the hitch. Not perfect, but better.

It's an aftermarket kit. The kit doesn't change the spring profile. It just raises the springs in the hangers, so the truck rides the same.