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Old 01-11-2021, 03:51 PM   #1
masterdrago
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M.O.C. #20587
Weight Redistribution

Had an individual tire weight done last week. I'm not overweight anywhere but I would like to exchange some of what is on rear axle to front. Clearly cannot move the reefer. Trey Selman of RVSEF mentioned I might consider adjusting the pin hitch so that the front is lower. I've always noticed that the front of the 5r when connected is ~2" higher than rear. I've got a row of holes 2.5" above the current used ones that would allow the change and there appears to be plenty of room between the truck and 5r (~10"). Has anyone made such a change to their pin hitch?
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Old 01-11-2021, 04:28 PM   #2
DadsHemi
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How much room do you have from your bed rails to the bottom of your 5th, I believe you need a minimum of 6”.

I have 7-1/2” on mine
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Old 01-11-2021, 05:53 PM   #3
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I had to raise the pinbox to the higher set of holes when I had the B&W Companion and still had 7" of bed clearance which made the trailer level. I now have the Goosebox and it's about the same clearance on the lower set of holes. The B&Ws sit a lot higher at the lowest setting than other 5th wheel hitch brands.
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Old 01-11-2021, 06:01 PM   #4
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I need to get all the bed clearance as possible not less. I have at least eight inches and have almost touched in places. There is no way I would settle for less.
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Old 01-11-2021, 06:06 PM   #5
masterdrago
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DadsHemi View Post
How much room do you have from your bed rails to the bottom of your 5th, I believe you need a minimum of 6”.

I have 7-1/2” on mine
Forgot to say... ~10 inches.
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Old 01-11-2021, 06:10 PM   #6
masterdrago
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jetskier View Post
I had to raise the pinbox to the higher set of holes when I had the B&W Companion and still had 7" of bed clearance which made the trailer level. I now have the Goosebox and it's about the same clearance on the lower set of holes. The B&Ws sit a lot higher at the lowest setting than other 5th wheel hitch brands.
My B&W is set farthest forward (2" in front of axle) and at the lowest set of holes. Recommended by one of the great RVers on another forum. Seems to work great but just want to get the high front lower to make the 5r run more level for spreading weight over both axles equally.
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Old 01-11-2021, 07:48 PM   #7
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I've don both before. Lowered hitch or raised pin box. Which ever is easiest. With 10" of space between 5er and bed rails, you got it made
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Old 01-11-2021, 09:42 PM   #8
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Perhaps installing lift blocks on the axles would have the same effect on weight. If nothing else youwould keep the bed clearance and raise the rear for ground clearance.
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Old 01-13-2021, 10:10 AM   #9
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You have plenty of room to adjust the nose of the camper down either by moving the pin box up or lowing the hitch if you can. 6" minimum between truck rails and camper. The idea is get the camper towing down the road as level as possible which will equal out the weight between the 2 axles.
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Old 01-13-2021, 01:52 PM   #10
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You have plenty of room to adjust the nose of the camper down either by moving the pin box up or lowing the hitch if you can. 6" minimum between truck rails and camper. The idea is get the camper towing down the road as level as possible which will equal out the weight between the 2 axles.
With the newer trucks that sit high and have tall bed-rails, you can't always achieve a level rig. We are slightly uphill and have only about 6 inches of space. The only solution would be to raise the trailer and that seems like it has a lot of potential problems and cost.
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Old 01-24-2021, 03:41 PM   #11
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Suspension equalizers

If you have factory suspension with equalizers changing the level of the trailer will not change the weight on the trailer axles UNLESS you are so unlevel you have maxed out the equalizer travel. Equalizers got their name because they maintain equal weight on the axles throughout the travel range. This will not be the case is you have independent suspension.
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Old 01-24-2021, 09:10 PM   #12
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I'm no astrophysicist but anyone can see that rocking the 5r forward will transfer more weight to the front axle. Others that know better than me have told me so. It will also provide more clearance up top at the front a/c.
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Old 01-25-2021, 05:05 AM   #13
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masterdrago, I also have a 3791RD and mine also rides a bit nose high. It's about 2-3" nose high when hitched. This is how the hitch was installed and I haven't yet made any modifications to the hitch or the pin box.
I'm curious, what kind of weight difference did you find between front and rear axles? I have been thinking of trying to level mine out better.
I just recently had a one night stop over and for the first time did not unhitch from the truck. I manually leveled the rig to put the slides out and my rear tires were off the ground about an inch. It's rare that I don't unhitch and auto-level, but I didn't need diesel or to go anywhere so I thought it would save time in the morning. Now I'm thinking I really should work on getting it more level when hitched, but that would probably increase my pin weight too?
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Old 01-25-2021, 09:37 AM   #14
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Here are the numbers that explain what happens when I hook up and the front is higher than the rear (unlevel). The weight shifts with less on the front and more on the rear when I hook up. Simple physics. Ignore the mid weight as it is really the rear. Front is to the left. Pin weight was 3,050 (20%) in 2017 and 3,475 (21%) in 2021. Also keep in mind that the left rear weight would be fairly difficult to lower as the reefer sits there. It is clear that when on the truck, ~600# is added to the rear tires and put that axle overweight.
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Old 01-25-2021, 09:54 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by masterdrago View Post
Here are the numbers that explain what happens when I hook up and the front is higher than the rear (unlevel). The weight shifts with less on the front and more on the rear when I hook up. Simple physics. Ignore the mid weight as it is really the rear. Front is to the left. Pin weight was 3,050 (20%) in 2017 and 3,475 (21%) in 2021. Also keep in mind that the left rear weight would be fairly difficult to lower as the reefer sits there. It is clear that when on the truck, ~600# is added to the rear tires and put that axle overweight.
How much higher is your trailer in the front than the back? I seem to have the same issue with my 2020 3790rd. I've raised my pinbox, but still sit nose high.
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Old 01-25-2021, 10:15 AM   #16
masterdrago
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How much higher is your trailer in the front than the back? I seem to have the same issue with my 2020 3790rd. I've raised my pinbox, but still sit nose high.
Have not tried to make an accurate measure but just looking at mine from far away on level ground, maybe 2-3 inches. And that is what the next set of holes up in my pin box is - 2.5".
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Old 01-25-2021, 12:35 PM   #17
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With the newer trucks that sit high and have tall bed-rails, you can't always achieve a level rig. We are slightly uphill and have only about 6 inches of space. The only solution would be to raise the trailer and that seems like it has a lot of potential problems and cost.
Like others mine was not riding level. I bought 2" blocks and new u-bolts from Summit Racing for I think $100.00. and put those on myself. Pretty easy. I also raised the kingpin up and that got my trailer level. Besides being level, the back of the trailer is now higher, which keeps it from dragging on steep driveway approaches. I'm very happy with how it turned out and how it tows.
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Old 01-30-2021, 02:12 AM   #18
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Are you considering a suspension upgrade in the future? MORryde will raise your coach to level it upon request. Not free mind you but trailer riding level is worth it. your tires will live longer too. We had ours raised when we had IS done. Our BW companion is in lowest forward position on our RAM and we had the MORryde pinbox installed as well. all in we now have 7.5 to 8 inches of bed rail clearance depending on where you measure it, trailer rides dead level and trailer is actually 1 inch lower than published spec by Keystone. Towing comfort and performance is greatly improved. Pix in signature is pre-MORryde upgrade.
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