Lowering questions...
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth USA
Lowering questions...
Hi,
As you can see from my post count, I'm pretty new here at FTE.
Back in November, I bought an '03 F-350, PSD, 6x6, CC, DRW, 8' bed. Just turned 9,000 miles on it and want to start using it to pull an older fifth-wheel trailer I have. You can see the truck in my gallery.
My problem is, the bottom of the overhang (not the kingpin) of my trailer sits at 56" from the concrete as does the top of the bed of my truck. Zero clearance. With a fifth-wheel, I need a minimum of 5"-6" between the overhang of the trailer and the top of the bed.
I've considered raising the trailer 6" (axles are already upside down) but the trailer would look pretty bizarre (I guess I could tell everybody it's a 4x4 trailer ) sitting that high.
The trailer weighs around 4500 lbs.
(BTW, I'm not wanting to do this for appearance sake.)
What I'm wanting to know is:
a.) What would be the best (safest) method to get my truck down about 5"-6"?
b.) Have any of you folks done this for this purpose and could pass on tips, ideas, etc. to me?
c.) Will lowering it affect the load capacity of my truck?
d.) Will lowering it affect my warranty?
Thanks so much,
Earl
As you can see from my post count, I'm pretty new here at FTE.
Back in November, I bought an '03 F-350, PSD, 6x6, CC, DRW, 8' bed. Just turned 9,000 miles on it and want to start using it to pull an older fifth-wheel trailer I have. You can see the truck in my gallery.
My problem is, the bottom of the overhang (not the kingpin) of my trailer sits at 56" from the concrete as does the top of the bed of my truck. Zero clearance. With a fifth-wheel, I need a minimum of 5"-6" between the overhang of the trailer and the top of the bed.
I've considered raising the trailer 6" (axles are already upside down) but the trailer would look pretty bizarre (I guess I could tell everybody it's a 4x4 trailer ) sitting that high.
The trailer weighs around 4500 lbs.
(BTW, I'm not wanting to do this for appearance sake.)
What I'm wanting to know is:
a.) What would be the best (safest) method to get my truck down about 5"-6"?
b.) Have any of you folks done this for this purpose and could pass on tips, ideas, etc. to me?
c.) Will lowering it affect the load capacity of my truck?
d.) Will lowering it affect my warranty?
Thanks so much,
Earl
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
Lowering questions...
Maybe you could remove a leaf or two from the rear spring packs, and then get some airbags to retain your load capacity.
Whitecrow-You may be able to do the same for the rear of your truck, I also used longer shackles to lower the rear of an F-150 once. If you have to lower the front, get a good kit to do it. This kid down the street lowered his F-100, and still has the stock I-beams. The camber is so bad, the outside of his tires don't even touch the ground.
Whitecrow-You may be able to do the same for the rear of your truck, I also used longer shackles to lower the rear of an F-150 once. If you have to lower the front, get a good kit to do it. This kid down the street lowered his F-100, and still has the stock I-beams. The camber is so bad, the outside of his tires don't even touch the ground.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
Lowering questions...
As far as I know, the only good way to fix the camber is to get some custom I-beams. I remeber seeing ads for dream beams a few years back. I had this same problem when I put lift coils on the front of my 2wd 83 F-100 except the camber was reversed,
\----/ as compared to /----\ . The shop told me the springs would settle and that they would be able to align it later, but they never could. Bushings and shims usually aren't thick enough to take up the slack caused from extreme suspension geometry changes.
\----/ as compared to /----\ . The shop told me the springs would settle and that they would be able to align it later, but they never could. Bushings and shims usually aren't thick enough to take up the slack caused from extreme suspension geometry changes.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver - BC - Canada
Lowering questions...
I dont think you want to raise your trailer that high, Those things flip easily eneough as it is. 
It may be too top heavy and you will end up rolling it if you take a corner a bit too fast.
If $$ is not that much of an issue, I would look into hydraulics for your truck if you are pulling that kind of load.
Randall
It may be too top heavy and you will end up rolling it if you take a corner a bit too fast.If $$ is not that much of an issue, I would look into hydraulics for your truck if you are pulling that kind of load.
Randall
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,123
Likes: 2
From: Fort Smith
Lowering questions...
I would not raise the trailer - BAD idea... You can lower the rear with blocks, and use either airbags or adjstable air shocks to help with the weight and ride. The front can be adjusted by using a different set of I-beams - Bell tech is a company most seems to go through. When you lower a vehicle, you do lose some of the pulling weight capacity, but the airbags and shocks will help counter to lowering. The front alignment can be corrected using cambers, and of course the correct I beams for lowering.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,359
Likes: 1
From: Hampstead, NC
Lowering questions...
I don't think 2003 F-350 4x4's have I-beam suspensions up front, they have leaf springs. Check here Air Ride Technologies Not the cheapest way to go, but it is a good system (pretty much the same as the big rigs)
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,123
Likes: 2
From: Fort Smith
Lowering questions...
I think you are right 79, I was answering his question, and had another post/thread in my mind 
.
(I'm reading too many posts and getting the info mixed in the head about which one I'm replying to
)
. (I'm reading too many posts and getting the info mixed in the head about which one I'm replying to
)
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