i just got a new truck (2016 F350 DRW 6.7 Powerstroke). It's about 2 inches lower than the truck it replaced (2014 F350 SRW 6.7 Powerstroke). The trailer (41 ft, 15,000 lbs 5th wheel) now sits 1" low in the front. Previously it was level to 1 inch high in front. My actual current measurements are 26 inches from front corner to the ground and 28 inches from rear corner to the ground. If I raised the front 1", the rear would go down 1" and level would happen with 27" at both corners. My question is ... necessary or not? The only 2 routes to "level" are (1) air bags or (2) pin box adjustment, because my hitch is covered by a bed cover when not towing, so I can't adjust it higher because the hitch would become too tall. Level is doable, but is 1" low in front a big deal on a 41 foot 5er?
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 20th of August 2016 07:43:27 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 20th of August 2016 07:44:57 PM
Howard said
11:24 PM Aug 20, 2016
Ron,
I would probably do a pin box adjustment to get as level as possible. My concerns towing nose down are clearance between the fifth wheel and truck rails and possibly having too much weight on the front axle of the trailer. If neither of those is an issue, an inch probably won't make much difference.
RonC said
09:18 AM Aug 21, 2016
Thanks Howard ... I have 7" of bed rail to trailer clearance so no problem there ... but my OCD is having trouble with the trailer being less than "perfect", plus my truck isn't level either. The SRW F350 was a little tail high when unloaded, so it went to level when loaded. The new DRW F350 starts out level and sags a little when loaded. I've slept on this and am leaning toward air bags to fix the trailer low and truck sag. I've only been at this for about 8 months, so still learning. I think you're correct, it probably doesn't matter too much ... but there is that OCD thing. See you at the Spring Rally.
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 26th of August 2016 03:19:40 PM
i just got a new truck (2016 F350 DRW 6.7 Powerstroke). It's about 2 inches lower than the truck it replaced (2014 F350 SRW 6.7 Powerstroke). The trailer (41 ft, 15,000 lbs 5th wheel) now sits 1" low in the front. Previously it was level to 1 inch high in front. My actual current measurements are 26 inches from front corner to the ground and 28 inches from rear corner to the ground. If I raised the front 1", the rear would go down 1" and level would happen with 27" at both corners. My question is ... necessary or not? The only 2 routes to "level" are (1) air bags or (2) pin box adjustment, because my hitch is covered by a bed cover when not towing, so I can't adjust it higher because the hitch would become too tall. Level is doable, but is 1" low in front a big deal on a 41 foot 5er?
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 20th of August 2016 07:43:27 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 20th of August 2016 07:44:57 PM
Ron,
I would probably do a pin box adjustment to get as level as possible. My concerns towing nose down are clearance between the fifth wheel and truck rails and possibly having too much weight on the front axle of the trailer. If neither of those is an issue, an inch probably won't make much difference.
Thanks Howard ... I have 7" of bed rail to trailer clearance so no problem there ... but my OCD is having trouble with the trailer being less than "perfect", plus my truck isn't level either. The SRW F350 was a little tail high when unloaded, so it went to level when loaded. The new DRW F350 starts out level and sags a little when loaded. I've slept on this and am leaning toward air bags to fix the trailer low and truck sag. I've only been at this for about 8 months, so still learning. I think you're correct, it probably doesn't matter too much ... but there is that OCD thing. See you at the Spring Rally.
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 26th of August 2016 03:19:40 PM