Posted 2009-05-28 10:55 AM (#105626) Subject: Ugh don't know what to do
Regular
Posts: 81
Ok so we got a new 4Star 3 horse with 8ft short wall. Pull it with a Dodge 3500 Dually 4X4. Truck sits HIGH. Trailer doesn't ride level. Ok so we take out the spacers under the truck(drops about 2") but we also installed some Timbrens since the truck would squat some with trailer hooked up. So now without the squat of the truck our bed rail clearance has lessened and we hit the bed the other day. So hubby raises the neck of the trailer up. Now we have perfect bed rail clearance but now trailer is REALLY unlevel(nose high).
So we know we need to block axles on trailer. So we put 4" blocks under the rear trailer tire to see if that is what size axle blocks we need to go with and also to check out how high of a step that makes for the horses. Well that STILL is not high enough to make this trailer sit level.
At the front of the trailer from the ground to the running board its 20" at the back of the trailer(ground to running board) its 15"
We can't get any higher blocks or the horses would have one HUGE step.
So I'm at my wits end, I just don't know what to do besides give in and let hubby get a flat be put on. But gosh they are ugly and I just DO NOT like them.
So please what else can we do to get this trailer level and keep the bed rail clearance/tank clearance we have/need.
Posted 2009-05-28 2:59 PM (#105640 - in reply to #105626) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
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Posts: 197
Location: MT
Well this would give you few more inches and still give you pretty good ride...you could flip your springs upside down on the trailer I had friend do it on there stock trailer for the hills so they could have more clearance on the trailer. Just an idea that does work.
Posted 2009-05-28 7:32 PM (#105654 - in reply to #105626) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
Expert
Posts: 2957
Location: North Carolina
Paul's suggestion is the best. A flat bed will allow you to lower the coupler post and level the trailer. Running your trailer nose high is putting a high load on your rear wheels (assume you have torsion axles on trailer) The level trailer divides the load between the front & rear axles.
Posted 2009-05-28 9:48 PM (#105665 - in reply to #105626) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
Regular
Posts: 81
Yes I believe they are Torsion axles. We lowered the GN down today, which only gives us 7" bed clearance as opposed to the 9 we prefer. But at least this way the 4" blocks will get us with in an inch of being level and the step for the horses is at 15-16" so not too terribly bad I suppose .
Posted 2009-05-29 7:20 AM (#105674 - in reply to #105626) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Danielsville Georgia
Is your 4Star a 07 or newer? Any pictures of the undrside of the nose? I bought a 07 EXISS and have NO issues with clearance on my 03 Dodge Dually 4x4.Had no issues with the 1997 Hart LQ.Did have issues with a 1995 CM Ranger.The CM had exposed support rails with 15 inch tires.The EXISS and Hart did not have these support rails hanging under the gooesneck plus they have 16 inch tire/wheels.
Posted 2009-05-29 7:20 AM (#105675 - in reply to #105626) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
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Posts: 368
Location: Georgia
If you are worried about the step, you could install a ramp. I don't use one, but have friends that love their ramp. (They too had their axels blocked.)
Posted 2009-05-29 11:58 AM (#105689 - in reply to #105626) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
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Posts: 81
No minis LOL. All horses are 15.2hh or taller, so it shouldn't be a problem then. I just wasn't sure what was too high to be dangerous. Plus I've never read or heard of anyone getting blocks larger than 4"??!!!?? I also think anything over 4" blocks will make a huge gap in the tire and fenders and look funny...I think.
Posted 2009-05-29 12:29 PM (#105690 - in reply to #105626) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
Veteran
Posts: 149
Location: Harrisburg, OR
If you're within an inch of being level with a 7" bed clearance I would give yourself the extra 2" of bed clearance (9"). The last thing you want is to go over a steep spot and crush your bed rails. I also do not think 3" from being level will adversely affect the way your horses ride.
Posted 2009-05-29 3:56 PM (#105707 - in reply to #105626) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Danielsville Georgia
I don't understand why the clearance issue.I just measured my Exiss and I have 10 inches of clearance on a stock Dodge Dually 4x4 and a stock 07 Exiss.In fact the Exiss has holes for a pin that goes through the neck limiting how much you can adjust nose up or down.I THOUGHT all trailer manufactures since at least 03 were taking the new truck heights into consideration when manufacturing.Sure like to see a photo of the FRONT nose area of your trailer.Does it have SUPPORT rails that hang BELOW the edge of the nose instead of recessed up INTO the nose?
Posted 2009-05-29 4:11 PM (#105708 - in reply to #105707) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
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Posts: 736
Location: Western WA
Originally written by hounddog on 2009-05-29 1:56 PM
I don't understand why the clearance issue.I just measured my Exiss and I have 10 inches of clearance on a stock Dodge Dually 4x4 and a stock 07 Exiss.In fact the Exiss has holes for a pin that goes through the neck limiting how much you can adjust nose up or down.I THOUGHT all trailer manufactures since at least 03 were taking the new truck heights into consideration when manufacturing.Sure like to see a photo of the FRONT nose area of your trailer.Does it have SUPPORT rails that hang BELOW the edge of the nose instead of recessed up INTO the nose?
I'm guessing maybe this trailer has a dropped floor in the gooseneck to create more room in the bunk area? That would compound the clearance issue.
Posted 2009-05-29 4:21 PM (#105710 - in reply to #105626) Subject: RE: Ugh don't know what to do
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Posts: 81
I will take some pics later when I go back outside. Also will re-measure as I think I may have messed up somewhere when I measured the first time with it on blocks.