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Old 03-17-2014, 09:17 AM   #1
jaeger63
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Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Question about towing with a truck with a lift kit?

I'll be purchasing a 5th wheel toy hauler in the near future. I have a 2500HD short box with a 4 inch lift and slightly over size tires. My question are these:
!. What is the minimum safe clearance I want between my bed rails and the camper?
2. What are some ways to increase the distance should i need to?
3. I've heard that flipping your axles over is one way to accomplish it plus it gives you more ground clearance for when your off the highway. Are there any disadvantages to flipping the axles over I.E. voiding warranty, etc.?

Thanks much for any input/advise.
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Old 03-17-2014, 09:43 AM   #2
Festus2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaeger63 View Post
I'll be purchasing a 5th wheel toy hauler in the near future. I have a 2500HD short box with a 4 inch lift and slightly over size tires. My question are these:
!. What is the minimum safe clearance I want between my bed rails and the camper?
2. What are some ways to increase the distance should i need to?
3. I've heard that flipping your axles over is one way to accomplish it plus it gives you more ground clearance for when your off the highway. Are there any disadvantages to flipping the axles over I.E. voiding warranty, etc.?

Thanks much for any input/advise.
1) A bare minimum of 6". 7 - 8 inches would be adequate.
2) The distance can be increased by: raising the hitch in the TV or by lowering the pin box on the RV or both.
3) Disadvantages of "flipping axles" - more difficult to get into and out of RV and it may look "goofy". In checking my warranty, it says that any damage as a result of "unauthorized modifications or alterations to the structure, body or frame of the RV" will not be covered. Are the axles considered part of the structure, body, or frame? I'd check with Keystone and get it in writing if you do decide to flip axles.

In any case, after making changes in the pin box, hitch or axles, you need to ensure that both the TV and the RV are sitting as level as possible.
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Old 03-17-2014, 09:49 AM   #3
dwyleecoyote
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I always thought that lifting a vehicle dramatically reduced safe towing capacity. 4 inches is a lot of lift, and may create stability issues.
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Old 03-22-2014, 06:24 AM   #4
bsmith0404
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Bed clearance can be achieved by hitch/pin box adjustment as stated earlier. 6" or more is ideal, but I've seen 4-5", just have to be very careful on uneven terrain so side to side roll doesn't cause contact. I don't recommend it, it's hard to control body roll. As for flipping the axles, some people do it, some RV's are that way from factory, and some have adjustable axles (like a shackle system). The problem, they get top heavy and safety is compromised. A 4" lift requires the front of the RV to be lifted quite a bit, difficult to get the RV to tow level. Nose high is not safe, see a lot of people doing it. I wanted to put 285s on my truck, I like that look, but I can't do it without getting too high.
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