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Old 10-22-2019, 09:55 PM   #1
scattershot
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Levelling tow vehicle

I recently bought a 2019 f350. The bed is quite high, with a 3 1/2” rake to the front. I have read that there is a way to lower the rear to level the truck and better accommodate a 5th wheel. Anybody done this?
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Old 10-23-2019, 05:01 AM   #2
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Have you hitched the camper up the way it is now. It may squat quite a bit when hitched and be close to level.
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Old 10-23-2019, 07:36 AM   #3
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We see plenty of late model F350 trucks pulling fivers without a problem. Many (us included) have added airbags because of rear drop under tow. On my old F350 I swapped out the blocks between the springs and axle with F250 blocks because they were an inch shorter. Mistake, and I reinstalled the 350 blocks.
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Old 10-23-2019, 08:00 AM   #4
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It’s made love that so what you put a load on it it will be level.
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Old 10-23-2019, 08:10 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scattershot View Post
I recently bought a 2019 f350. The bed is quite high, with a 3 1/2” rake to the front. I have read that there is a way to lower the rear to level the truck and better accommodate a 5th wheel. Anybody done this?
Last 350 was to high, all adjustments to max, so put these lowering shackles on for a 2 inch drop and it just removed some of the rake. Then used 1 inch blocks under the camper spring perches to raise the camper 1 inch or more also sold on the internet for a reasonable price. You can use the Lippert axle alignment fixture for 2 inch raise if necessary. A couple of wrenches and some time to do. Got it level enough for me.
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Old 10-23-2019, 09:03 AM   #6
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Thanks for the info,so far. I was wondering which would be better, lowering the rear of the truck or raising the trailer. Just exploring options right now. It will ne spring now before I can hook up and see how much the truck settles.
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Old 10-23-2019, 09:50 AM   #7
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On my old 2007 F350 I had the 4" blocks on the rear axles changed out to 2" blocks to lower it 2". There was actually a Ford TSB (technical service bulletin) at the time addressing the issue of it being too high in the rear for some 5ers and that was their recommendation. They made the change under warranty. Don't know if that is still an option or not.


I did not do the same on my 2012 F350. It is high in the rear, but when the 5er is lowered on it, it drops to being near level for the 5er. The Monte sits just a little nose high, but not enough to matter.
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Old 10-23-2019, 09:54 AM   #8
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Thanks.
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Old 10-23-2019, 04:13 PM   #9
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I would not do anything until you hook it up on a level surface and observe its stance while hitched. you may be surprised.

Unfortunately you can not have a level truck while hitched up and not hitched up unless airbags are used.

My dually was leveled by the previous owner (who did not tow). I had to return the front end its factory setting to get it level while hitched up to my unit.
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Old 10-23-2019, 04:24 PM   #10
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Yeah, I was thinking about that. From the answers here and elsewhere, I think it may be better to just raise the 5er about two inches, for clearance.
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Old 10-23-2019, 04:38 PM   #11
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Now im confused. You stated a 3 1/2" rake front to back. Are you talking about the truck itself with no load on it ?

You stated raising the camper. At the pin or the axles. Is the camper too close to the truck bed when hitched up.
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Old 10-23-2019, 04:49 PM   #12
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Yes, the truck sits 3 1/2” higher in the back than the front. Clearance s not what I’d like it to be when hooked up, and it tows with a minimal nose up attitude. Just wondering what the best solution would be to tow level with a couple inches more clearance between the 5th wheel and the truck bed rails.
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Old 10-23-2019, 06:00 PM   #13
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You did not mention what that bed to trailer clearance is. Mine is around 5-6" and I have had no issues. And believe me when I tell you that most people would not ever dream of taking their rig where mine has been.

If your rig is only slightly nose high, I would not worry to much at all about that.

Lifting your camper at the axles (correctly) will be costly. To do it correctly your would have to have the spring hangers cut off and tube steel welded to the frame and the hangers welded back on.

If you were to do all that, I would just bite the bullet and go to Mor Ryde and have their Independent suspension installed.

Our unit goes in to have that installed in June.
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Old 10-23-2019, 06:50 PM   #14
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clearance on mine is just over 3 1/2”.It tows fine, if a little nose high, but I’d like a bit more for peace of mind.
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Old 10-23-2019, 06:58 PM   #15
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That's pretty close. I think the IS is your best route, although pricey.
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Old 10-23-2019, 08:28 PM   #16
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You absolutely need more than 3.5" clearance. With that its not a matter of "if" but "when" you will hit.

I would simply raise my hitch or drop the pin box.
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Old 10-23-2019, 08:35 PM   #17
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I’m trying to get the rig to tow level. I’m going to have to either lower the truck or raise the trailer. I’m leaning more now toward raising the trailer, either with blocks or by reversing the shackles.
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Old 10-23-2019, 09:37 PM   #18
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Since you have an older trailer, then raising the trailer would be the best option. Maybe not the cheapest, but better then lowering the back of your truck which would put it's front end to high when towing. Anyone thinking of raising a newer Montana needs to consider how high they are already. In Oklahoma you are restricted to 13'6"" on our turnpikes, and some Montanas are already 13'5".
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Old 10-23-2019, 09:42 PM   #19
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Thanks, there’s obviously more to this than I thought. Since I can’t really do anything til spring, I’ve got time to figure it out. Thanks for all the help.
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Old 10-23-2019, 10:23 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scattershot View Post
I recently bought a 2019 f350. The bed is quite high, with a 3 1/2” rake to the front. I have read that there is a way to lower the rear to level the truck and better accommodate a 5th wheel. Anybody done this?
This spring I went from a 2008 F250 to a 2019 F350. I worried alot about this too. I had to add a puck adapter for my Reese hitch, this added about 2.5" as well. After hitching up, the F350 squatted to bring my Montana and truck to very near level. My trailer height, to the top of my front AC, which is what I worried most about, was only about an inch higher than with the F250. My advice would be to put the weight on the truck, and then see what you have to work out. You may be like me, worrying over nothing.
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