Towing with a lift???

[4506dave]

Do any of you fine fellows with lift kits tow a 5th wheel? I did with my 09 and thinking of lifting this one but would like a 6" and 37's, which might be a little high. My last truck was ok with the lift listed in my sig. What's your thoughts?

[Ren]

My thoughts are dont do it. As all trucks I have seen lifted usually dont do all that well. Everytime I follow a lifted truck towing...mostly trailers as they are too high for the 5ver to sit correctly on the truck. They sway back and forth lots more than stock trucks. I guess good sway bars would help. Also towing a 5ver with a lift could cause the rear leaf springs on your 5ver to become "fatigued" as alot more weight of the camper will be on that rear axle. Heartland "Bighorn" 5vers already have this problem... researching on their forum.

But

It will probably depend on a few circumstances.

How far do you plan on going, and how much traveling you plan on doing. Also what kind of pin weight does your 5ver have verses what the new springs on the lift kit are rated for... that will all come into play.

[STRKTHS73]

i wouldnt lift it like ren said the trails tend to sway back an forth because they cant sit right on the hitch, just an all around bad idea to jack ur truck up an tow

[91Terminator]

What if he were to lift the 5th Wheel equally with the truck?

[Ren]

Originally Posted by 91Terminator

What if he were to lift the 5th Wheel equally with the truck?

Yep.. you can do that. Alot of guys do it, but most of the time its just a couple inches if that. Its sometimes needed for even stock height trucks.

Most of the time, and depending on the design of the 5ver you can run the leaf springs over the axles and that will help bring it up a little bit. I dont know how to do 8 inches tho. Your local fab / weld shop would be able to look and help. Probably taller shackles to start and taller springs to help. Maybee some airbags???

Mor/Ryde is pretty much the leader in RV suspension systems.. but they are pretty pricey. They could maybee offer some advice.

Id be careful going to high though. I dont know how it will effect the towing characteristics of the trailer.

[CT Performance, Inc.]

You can run 37" with a 4.5" Pure Performance 4 link kit..tows nicer also with the Deaver rear mini spring packs..PM me if I can get you info..

Cary

[Joe 6.7]

I have a 4" and 35s on mine. I tow a 37' 5ther with no prob. Trailer has axles fliped so it rides level.

[topdwg]

Well my truck isn't a 2011, but I do tow a 5th wheel and both my truck and camper are lifted. It can be done safely. Before I even decided to lift my camper I contacted Lippert and asked what they recommended. To make a long story short they sent me plans on how to do so and I took my truck to a friend who in my eyes is one hell of a welder. The end result is what's seen in the pic. It's still a bit high in the front, but I can still do some adjustments to bring it down. It pulls great, straight as an arrow and it's been pulled over...

[Ren]

Looking good man! Now all you need is some mud tires on the 5ver to match the truck!

I think this is the most important. I took my truck to a friend who in my eyes is one hell of a welder

[topdwg]

Yea, I need to up the tire size, that way it want look awkward...