jmeade
KS
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Joined: 10/29/2009
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I am a newbie to the fifth wheel world and have had my trailer for only a month now. My setup is a 26 foot long Wildwood (6050 lbs) that I am pulling with a Dodge Megacab diesel. I do have a B&W turnover ball installed in my truck and am using a Ranch Hitch gooseneck adapter. Yeah I have read that some like this and some don't. However, at the time I purchased the camper, I felt like this was the best option with price, being able to pull stock trailers also, etc.
Anyway, I have the Ranch Hitch compressed as far as it will go and the camper is still not towing level. Is there anything else I can do at this point to try to get it closer to level? I looked at the camper pin extension arm and there are two more bolt holes above where it is currently attached, so I can gain 2 inches there, but I don't think that will get me where I need to be. Any thoughts?
How bad is it to tow with the camper riding a little high? I assume that it is putting more strain on my back axle than my front. But, other than that, will anything be harmed? I pulled it home from Michigan to Kansas and took it on a 2 1/2 hour trip last weekend without any towing problems.
I am trying to attach a picture to show just how high it is.
I really appreciate any thoughts and recommendations.
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F-TROUP
VISALIA, CALIF
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Joined: 05/13/2007
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You see unlevel trailers on the road all the time. You right about some extra weight will be on the back axle, so if you can gain some I'd do it.
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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Joined: 09/24/2007
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Rule of thumb is within 4 inches of level. If you feel the 5th lifting the truck then it's to far off. 60 % of load should be foward of trailer axle, so if you loaded, that way and it is up in front, it still has enough weight to keep it from lifting the truck. If it's pushing down to much causing the truck to steer loosly then you can move load back to take load off front of 5TH. remember your only level on level ground, so driving down hill shifts load, as does driving up hill. If you fell no difference it's OK, but if you fell lifting, and shifting weight causing steering problems, it's too far off. Many put air bags on truck to level the load.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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I do not see a picture.
If you drop the front of the trailer down too much it can hit the top of your bed in certain maneuvering situations, such as backing into a tight spot up a hill, crossing a dip/ditch, or even jumping up/down a curb.
You can have the axles flipped on the trailer to raise it up.
The B&W Companion hitch is designed to work with your turnover ball. It might be lower than the gooseneck adapter too.
There is no inexpensive option to get this fixed.
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George H
Washington
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Joined: 06/27/2006
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IF you have clearance between 5er and TV bed rails, go ahead and raise the pin box. Replace the nuts and bolts when you do that, I used grade 8 hardware with self locking nuts.
George, Juanita and Mandie (boss Shar-Pei)
01 F350, PSD, DRW
05 Carri-Lite 32RS3
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jmeade
KS
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Joined: 10/29/2009
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Thanks for the info, everyone. I don't really know anything about flipping the axles. Does anyone have any more info on that? As for clearance when raising the pin box, I think I have plenty of room.
Still trying to figure out how to post a picture on here. Any help?
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George H
Washington
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Joined: 06/27/2006
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Accepted clearance for bed rails to bottom of 5er is 6", check when connected and ready to go down the road.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Joined: 10/16/2000
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jmeade wrote:
Still trying to figure out how to post a picture on here. Any help?
We have a whole forum dedicated to those who are having problems with the operation of the forum. There is a link to it at the top of the page. Forum Help and Support
One of the permanent links in that forum is for picture posting help.
I am sure that link will get you going! 
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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