Raising a Fifth Wheel 2 to 4 Inches for Bed Clearance

[aaronhuff59]

Curious what others have done to raise their 5th wheel. Mine already has the springs on top of the axles. I would like to get 2-4" more. This will help give me more clearance between the bed and the bottom of the 5th wheel. I'm trying to avoid being nose high in the 5th wheel. I'm running the B&W companion hitch.

 

[Mikendebbie]

I have seen several threads on that subject. A search of the forum using AXLE LIFT brought up this thread. Im sure you can find many others.

When to Replace Trailer Springs and Lift Options

How do you tell if your springs need to be replaced? Who has lifted their camper using blocks between the axle and spring versus extending the shackles?

www.montanaowners.com

 

[aaronhuff59]

Thanks Mike

 

[buck119fa]

Have to be careful on "legal Hight" depending on where you travel. Most eastern states legal height is 13' 6" Most western states are 14'. You should be able to move the pin box to another set of mounting holes to achieve bed clearance. A couple inches shouldn't make it ride that much nose high.
Just a thought.

 

[BB_TX]

I went the opposite route. My 2007 F350 FX4 was very high in the rear. So much so that Ford had an advisory that it may be too high for a 5th wheel. I convinced my dealer that Ford should replace the 4” spacers under the rear springs with the 2” spacers found on the 4x2 under warranty. Ride was quite level.
Traded the 2007 for a 2012. Was going to do the same but never got around to it. But a little nose high I still had a good 6” bed clearance.

 

[RMcNeal]

Have to be careful on "legal Hight" depending on where you travel. Most eastern states legal height is 13' 6" Most western states are 14'. You should be able to move the pin box to another set of mounting holes to achieve bed clearance. A couple inches shouldn't make it ride that much nose high.
Just a thought.

I've never heard legal height is 13'6" before. My rig was at 13'8 1/2" when I purchased it new. I live in Florida about a 1/2 mile from the coast. I was always told 14' was the max height. Has anyone else heard that?

 

[Mikendebbie]

I asked Copilot Ai about legal maximum RV heights in state law…see answer below. Then it told me the world would end if RVs travelled at 14’…just kidding

 

[RMcNeal]

Good to know. I never gave it much thought. I read somewhere that US highways and interstates require a minimum clearance of 14', so I always went by that number.

 

[laverdur]

The Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnel on I-70 in Colorado has a max vehicle height of 13' 11".

 

[BB_TX]

There used to be an underpass on US 87 in Dalhart, TX marked 13’-6”. But my butt puckered each time we went under due to all the impact marks on the cross beams. They have since lowered the roadway quite a bit to increase the clearance.

 

[buck119fa]

Most RV Manufactures build heights are 13.5, Montana documents for my rig are 13.6 but the Keystone web states 13.5. RV Manufactures Association states 13.5. Mine measures at 13.5.
However most states differ on requirements/Laws for height and length. Some require a certain license types or classes for towing certain weights/lengths for particular areas you may travel in. Always good to check the states you travel in to be sure.
Not saying I know everything for any state but I do check some of the RV regs before I take long trips.

 

[Wendi]

We raised the pin box since the axles were already flipped.

 

[Theunz]

The standard height of a semi trailer is 13’6” and that is so it can travel in all 48 contiguous states. It is not uncommon to find bridges lower than that on secondary hi ways. You should get in the habit of reading every bridge clearance sign as you approach it no mater what road you are on.

 

[Kfinnert]

I went to MorRyde in Elkhart, Indiana. I had steel added to the frame when the new axles were installed. Worked well for us!