Towing a 5th Wheel
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Towing a 5th Wheel
Hi, I just received my new Ford and believe I'm going to have a small problem towing a 27 foot 5th wheel travel trailer. The trailer will not pull in a level position. The trailers axles are currently underslung (axle on top of leaf springs). I can have this changed to overslung (axle on bottom of leaf springs). This will raise the trailer about 5 inches. Don't think this will be enough to level the trailer out. Does anybody have any experience with "adding" lift blocks between the axle and leaf springs on the trailer. My Ford F-350 sure has these blocks between the axle and leaf springs. Using a Reese 20K 5th wheel hitch.
These new Fords are much higher off the ground and makes towing older 5th wheel trailers difficult.
Thanks
Jon
02 F-350 4X4 Lariat PSD Auto. 172 WB Crew Cab
93 Hitchhiker II, 27 foot
These new Fords are much higher off the ground and makes towing older 5th wheel trailers difficult.
Thanks
Jon
02 F-350 4X4 Lariat PSD Auto. 172 WB Crew Cab
93 Hitchhiker II, 27 foot
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 1
Towing a 5th Wheel
You have a bad problem. As you go up in height with the trailer, you have raised the center of gravity which makes your trailer prone to top heavy. It will catch more side wind, etc. I would look into lowering the truck first. Might be able to get shorter tires, remove the blocks, drop the shackles, etc.
Junior User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Towing a 5th Wheel
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-May-02 AT 04:05 AM (EST)]I tow a 28 ft travel trailer. 10.5 ft in the front 12 ft in the back. My trailer floor is 33 inchs up. I figure if you raise the trailer the side and front will catch the same wind. If you raise it wind can escape under the unit. The surface area did not change. CG does go up but what is a foot or so? By the time you load the trailer with your "stuff" you will be near 10,000. I would talk the a hitch dealer. I don't see a big problem. Watch the units on the road, they are all not level. Stability and stopping are the main thing! My 2 cents...Richard
My ride is a 2000 F350 Super Duty, Lariat, PSD, 4X4, long bed, 4.1 rear, automatic, SRW, with added stainless steel 4" exhaust, turbo to 5" tip, with a "see thru" muffler and EGT, Trans temperature with turbo psi gauge. I tow a 12,000 pound 28.6 ft travel trailer
My ride is a 2000 F350 Super Duty, Lariat, PSD, 4X4, long bed, 4.1 rear, automatic, SRW, with added stainless steel 4" exhaust, turbo to 5" tip, with a "see thru" muffler and EGT, Trans temperature with turbo psi gauge. I tow a 12,000 pound 28.6 ft travel trailer
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: Northern Va
Towing a 5th Wheel
I heard on an rv web fourm Ford will pay to lower a newer model truck but I am not sure.
I plan on "flipping" my axles too. Dexter axles makes a kit to do that very thing. It suggests tack welding the new spring saddle in place so I have to get the help of a friend. Check the www.dexteraxle.com web site and search for "overunder" and you will find it.
I plan on "flipping" my axles too. Dexter axles makes a kit to do that very thing. It suggests tack welding the new spring saddle in place so I have to get the help of a friend. Check the www.dexteraxle.com web site and search for "overunder" and you will find it.
