Posted 2012-06-16 2:18 PM (#144883) Subject: Lowering Front of Gooseneck Trailer
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Jersey Shore, PA
I recently purchased a different gooseneck trailer and need to lower the front. I know that I need to loosen the bolts on the front of the trailer, with the truck and trailer hooked up, but am confused as to how to get the front to lower. I tried earlier today, but it didn't seem to move anything. The trailer brand is a trailet, I didn't see anything else that I needed to loosen in order to adjust this.
Posted 2012-06-16 3:31 PM (#144886 - in reply to #144883) Subject: RE: Lowering Front of Gooseneck Trailer
Member
Posts: 45
I had the same issue with a GN I bought 6 years ago. The problem was that the people who had the trailer before me snubbed the bolts down so tight it smashed the tube out of round. Come to find out that it's not that uncommon for people to overtighten those suckers. We tried everything to get it to move -- sledge hammer, putting it on the ball and try to crank it up, WD 40, PB Blaster, etc. In the end we could never get it to cooperate. The local trailer repair place said the only option was to cut and then weld on a new one. In my case I only needed to raise it a couple of inches to get the trailer level so I put airbags on the truck and problem solved.I know this doesn't help you but it taught me a lesson -- whenever I buy a GN trailer I check that the gooseneck "tube" can be moved.
Posted 2012-06-16 10:18 PM (#144893 - in reply to #144883) Subject: RE: Lowering Front of Gooseneck Trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If after loosening the lock nuts and backing the bolts out, the king pin won't settle onto the coupling, you may have a problem. As was stated, the tubes may be bent ot of shape. If heat applied to the outside won't help, some time a hand sledge can be used to drive the two together.
I helped a friend who had a similar situation, one night at his house during a party. He was complaining of the same problem. Seven or eight people went out to his trailer and entered the dressing room. On a count, we all jumped into the air at the same time, landing with a great thud. After a couple of these exercises, the pin was inspected and found to have settled onto the coupler.
Posted 2012-06-16 10:54 PM (#144895 - in reply to #144883) Subject: RE: Lowering Front of Gooseneck Trailer
Veteran
Posts: 116 Location: desert hills, az
I may be reading you post wrong, but if you are trying to do this hooked up, that may be creating a bind. Do what Gard suggested with the sledge, heat, WD40 etc and you might have more luck.
Posted 2012-06-17 11:42 AM (#144908 - in reply to #144883) Subject: RE: Lowering Front of Gooseneck Trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I have always first tried to lower the pin whilst it is locked onto the hitch ball. Without the weight of the trailer assisting my efforts, and using the trailer's jack to accurately locate the proper height, it could be a tough go to try it otherwise.
Shortening the height has been much easier than trying to lengthen the pin. I've found it much easier to compress the tubes, than it is to pull them apart. Once the two parts are free, it's a simple matter to use the jack to raise or lower the pin to the applicable height.
Posted 2012-06-19 4:11 PM (#144959 - in reply to #144908) Subject: RE: Lowering Front of Gooseneck Trailer
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Jersey Shore, PA
What I found was the coupler will not lower any further, as I removed it from the trailer this evening, so I have one of two options, take the coupler to have a couple inches cut off the 'tube' or two purchase another hitch. I have the reese type hitch that mounts on rails so it sits above the bed, and can be removed if need be. I am going to use the trailer as is for this weekend, and then decide what I will do.
Lowering Front of Gooseneck Trailer
