Towing and Hauling / RV Discuss towing and hauling here. Share your tips and tricks. RV and camping discussion welcome.

Axle blocks for 5th wheel camper?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 2, 2016 | 06:36 PM
  #1  
stickk's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Axle blocks for 5th wheel camper?

I am looking at a 2007 Victory Lane triple axle toy hauler, 39' long 12K lbs unloaded. The camper sits fairly low and I would like to lift it to accommodate my truck which isn't lifted, stock 2015 Ram 2500 CCLB 4wd. I have gotten estimates to add a subframe to the trailer frame then reattach all the original suspension components with new hangers. The price for this is $2-2500 roughly. I found a company in Canada that make trailer lift block kits with new u-bolts for $215 per axle for 3" blocks. I'm not totally sure yet how much I need but if it is more than 3" then i definitely will need to go the subframe route.

Some say that the blocks are not a good idea. Some others that have done the blocks say they haven't had any issues. Has anyone here used blocks to lift your camper and have you had any issues? I'm no engineer, but I see so many 6-8" lifted trucks hauling big a** toy haulers that I would guess have a minimum of 4-6" blocks on the truck rear axle, it just seams that it would be ok, IDK.

Thanks
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2016 | 11:40 PM
  #2  
j_martin's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,479
Likes: 211
From: Isanti, MN
Have you looked at it. My fifth wheel camper of about the same vintage has several inches of adjustment by moving the pins. It'd be a good time to throw in new bushings anyway.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2016 | 02:52 AM
  #3  
Jeff in TD's Avatar
Registered User
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,528
Likes: 16
From: Oregon
I had one I had to raise. I saw they made spring seats that attached with U bolts but I wasn't sure about them.

I ended up purchasing new spring seats to relocate the axles from above to below the springs.

Worked fine.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2016 | 02:51 PM
  #4  
stickk's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Axles are under springs already from factory.
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2016 | 06:21 AM
  #5  
1-2-3's Avatar
Just a plain ole guy
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 11
From: Carlos, Texas
Try to avoid the blocks. In heavy braking situations, the axles can roll. Especially on the bigger blocks. Unfortunately, a sub frame is the best way to go. I lifted mine myself but I have alot of welding experience. How much lift do you need? It can be tricky to calculate. I lifted mine 4 inches. A little bit goes a long long way. other options would be to lower the hitch and pin box settings, but you have to look closely at bed clearance. You can also add taller tires if you have the space between the axles so the taller tires don't' touch.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2016 | 11:19 PM
  #6  
KATOOM's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,179
Likes: 142
From: The "real" Northern CA
I had a similar experience. My 5th wheel sits very low and the axles are already under the springs too so flipping them wasn't an option. I even checked to see if the spring packs were sagging but I came to the conclusion that they'd have to sag a lot to justify the expense of 6 new packs which may or may not lift the overall height. I also looked into how much it would cost to raise the trailers suspension but the chances of weakening everything under there during braking and turning didn't sound smart, and it was costly too.

I eventually decided to leave all well alone and tow it as it sits. All the better too because the height differences is not enough to fret over and the trailer is more stable as it sits lower. Raising the center of gravity on a 38' 14k trailer didnt sound like the right move.....
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Katmandu
12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
10
Jan 16, 2006 08:30 AM
SmokenRam
Towing and Hauling / RV
17
Dec 27, 2005 10:24 AM
hotdram
Towing and Hauling / RV
7
Apr 5, 2005 10:07 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:59 PM.