CleanDiesel
Norton, Ohio
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Joined: 06/19/2007
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@wfreeth - all I had to do to my Dodge 4x4 was move the dually axle lift plates, see my post above and other places on here on how to do it. Goes a long way towards the fix. Lift kits are extreme IMO; increases the "top heavy" feeling.
wfreeth wrote:Just how far off from level can you tow a 5th wheel? I've got to find a way to level mine. The truck is a Dodge 2500 4X4 and the Pullrite hitch can't be lowered.
TV: 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 Dually 6.7L Cummins Auto w/3.73s & Prodigy 
TT: 1995 Damon Escaper 5'er 36RLB
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ALBE
Kelowna B.C.
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Joined: 08/30/2006
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I have towed at approx 4in nose high,trailer towed great except rear tires were running a bit warmer than the front.Took the rear spring plates out of our 3500 dodge so now it runs approx 2 inches high and tires all stay about the same temp wise.IT still tows very nice, but i think it actually towed better in the wind at 4 inches high.
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wfreeth
Guelph, Ontario
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Joined: 08/25/2009
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CleanDiesel wrote:@wfreeth - all I had to do to my Dodge 4x4 was move the dually axle lift plates, see my post above and other places on here on how to do it. Goes a long way towards the fix. Lift kits are extreme IMO; increases the "top heavy" feeling.
wfreeth wrote:Just how far off from level can you tow a 5th wheel? I've got to find a way to level mine. The truck is a Dodge 2500 4X4 and the Pullrite hitch can't be lowered.
I took the Dodge to Delta Spring to get the lift plates removed, the top of my hitch is now 52.75" from the ground (truck unloaded). They also put in new U-bolts which they make on site.
2006 Dodge Ram Megacab Laramie 4X4 Hemi
2004 Four Winds Classic 28BH-M5
Pullrite Superglide 2700/Firestone Ride-Rites
Drive a Hybrid, I need your gas!
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ford coupe
home
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Joined: 07/05/2011
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had spacer (lift) plates removed on my 3500 dually doge 3 years ago at a 4x4 repair shop because 5'er was riding nose hi with no adjustment left on hitch or pin box. still have about 6" clearance, enough for my use.
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davelinde
Lake Nona, Florida
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Joined: 11/02/2003
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I've towed two rigs a bit nose high - due to the ride height of my truck and maintaining rail clearance. I had no issues in 6 years and thousands of miles.
Now I am running nose low and I think that did cause issues. One of the links in my suspension pulled through the bolt and failed. I suspect at least part of this failure was due to the linkage being closer to the far end of travel and hitting the travel limit more often and with more force because of the out of level situation.
Dave Lindemulder
Tammy, Mark & Kirsten
04 Dodge 2500 4x4 SLT QC/SB HO-CTD/48RE
01 Volvo VNL660 singled VED12
09 Heartland Cyclone 3210
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bpounds
Whittier CA
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wfreeth wrote:Just how far off from level can you tow a 5th wheel? I've got to find a way to level mine. The truck is a Dodge 2500 4X4 and the Pullrite hitch can't be lowered.
If the rear end drags, it cannot be towed. 
Seriously, there isn't a magic number, but they will tow best if level or slightly nose high. No need to be scientific, and if it looks level, it should be fine. If you get too far out of level you could risk overloading the axle on the low end, wearing tires and bearings, etc. Usually you just get some chucking and a rough ride. Whenever considering level you also must consider the bed to trailer overhang clearance. Most folks like a minimum of 6" of clearance there to prevent a collision when entering driveways or dips.
Edit: sorry to be redundant. Didn't realize I wasn't on the last page of the thread.
2006 F250 Diesel
2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver
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Specularius
Deville, La
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Well, here is a picture of how nose high mine is when I use the big tow vehicle:
The Bristol Bay pictured has the More/ryde CRE rubber equalizer and I weighed it out axle by axle when connected to the big truck and when connected to my pickup. The weights on the axles were all equal with the nose high weights being 20 pounds heavier than the level weights. The thing was that both axles carry the same weight. The front of my fiver is a full six inches higher than the rear, pretty extreme. I have made 4 trips to Fort Wilderness(a total of 7000 miles) like this with no ill effects.
2011 F-350 DRW 6.7 Scorpion Diesel Reese Ford Hitch
2008 Bristol Bay 3420
2006 Okanagan 117DBL
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davelinde
Lake Nona, Florida
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Specularius wrote:nose high weights being 20 pounds heavier than the level weights ...no ill effects.
This is what I would have expected - I never understood the idea that a nose high/low rig would have much impact on axle weight distribution - even if the suspension was almost rigid I can't figure out how to calculate any appreciable differences.
For Specularius though I'll repeat my experience... I also started towing with a bigger truck that was set up for a different hitch height. After a year of towing (nose low 4") I had a suspension link tear out - eg the same linkage that does weight distribution. I'm upgrading my suspension AND moving my hitch to level the rig. At least, those are on my RV "to do" list.
on edit... noticed I had exactly this failure
link failed link
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Specularius
Deville, La
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Dave, I have a wet bolt kit with the extra heavy straps and I inspect everything before and after every trip. I have found no I'll effects.
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davelinde
Lake Nona, Florida
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Specularius wrote:Dave, I have a wet bolt kit with the extra heavy straps and I inspect everything before and after every trip. I have found no I'll effects.
I think that will do it.
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