Posted 2016-10-08 8:07 AM (#168576) Subject: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: AZ
We bought a 'new to us' Ram 3500 with bed...(replacing with flatbed NOT an option)....we have realized that our non-LQ CM Lagacy GN does not have enough clearance between the GN and rails....it has about 2"...
So, we are looking into blocking the trailer up 4" to allow for clearance and get the weight off of the back trailer tires. Trailer has torsion axles so flipping is apparently not an option.
So I am asking you for your thoughts (other than going to a flatbed) about blocking the axles...experiences, etc.
Posted 2016-10-08 12:39 PM (#168578 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Miami, FL
Do you have a picture ... of the trailer behind the truck? (Can't quite understand the problem ... & the relationship with the door open & not being a flatbed, etc.)
Posted 2016-10-08 3:36 PM (#168581 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: AZ
First, many suggest ditching the bed and installing a flatbed to solve the issue...we do not plan to do that...what door are you talking about? No pictures...trailer pitches up ( when hooked up to truck) so trailer is not level...weight ends up being on rear axle, not even on both which causes tires to blow...so we have to raise the trailer to meet the level of the truck.
Posted 2016-10-08 5:55 PM (#168583 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
first you need to measure how high your horse's are stepping to get into your trailer now and see if adding 4 to 6" is going to make that much difference for them. almost all of the new trucks sit higher in the rear than the old ones and the older trailers do not take this into account. there are several ways to get to where you want but none of them are easy and or cheap, if you end up with your trailer too tall for the horses the next step is a ramp on the trailer and in the end all of this may cost more than putting a flat bed on the truck. all this being said, there are alot of truck trailer combo's going down the road with as you said 2" of clearance or so and as long as you are carefull you can get by with this.
Posted 2016-10-09 2:48 PM (#168593 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
I've blocked up a trailer and it worked fine. But the best way I've found to raise a trailer is to simply order new axles with increased angle to raise the trailer. This worked very well. But I also had 10 year old somewhat bent and worn out axles that helped with the decision. You get all new parts that bolt directly to the frame with no modifications. Took me about 4 hours to change them out. Keep in mind, mine were bolted and not welded to trailer frame.
Posted 2016-10-09 3:03 PM (#168594 - in reply to #168593) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: AZ
301duster - 2016-10-09 1:48 PM I've blocked up a trailer and it worked fine. But the best way I've found to raise a trailer is to simply order new axles with increased angle to raise the trailer. This worked very well. But I also had 10 year old somewhat bent and worn out axles that helped with the decision. You get all new parts that bolt directly to the frame with no modifications. Took me about 4 hours to change them out. Keep in mind, mine were bolted and not welded to trailer frame.
Posted 2016-10-10 7:00 AM (#168599 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Regular
Posts: 87 Location: Williamsburg VA
We had our 3 horse trailer blocked 4". It sits higher than our 2 horse. The difference doesn't bother the horses. They feel for the ground with both trailers when unloading and no problem when stepping up to load.
Posted 2016-10-11 9:07 PM (#168612 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Member
Posts: 15
Location: SW OK
A leveling kit on your truck (raises the front end) will lower your tailgate in relation to your trailer some because it takes away the trucks rake, but won't actually lower the height of your hitch. Another option I'm seeing more often is using lowering tshackles to drop the ride height of the rear end of your truck - it just lowers the spring hangers, has no adverse effect on ride or weight bearing capacity, and does lower the height of your hitch so helps level your trailer. As high as many of the new trucks are in the rear, you can lower them 2" and they still have plenty of clearance and it doesn't look bad (takes away the rake, same as raising the front end). You also have the advantage of lower tailgate height for loading cargo and climbing in and out. These are relatively inexpensive mods, too - should be able to have either one done for under $300. Just another option to consider.
Posted 2016-10-15 12:30 AM (#168637 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Veteran
Posts: 183 Location: riverside ca
you may have a ramp, but if it has dutch doors like mine, lifting the trailer made the ramp so steep that the horses had no traction, so i had to add a step the ramp. just fyi I have done it and it works but you may have to alter other things as well.
Posted 2016-10-20 12:50 AM (#168686 - in reply to #168637) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
HOUSE - 2016-10-15 12:30 AM
you may have a ramp, but if it has dutch doors like mine, lifting the trailer made the ramp so steep that the horses had no traction, so i had to add a step the ramp. just fyi I have done it and it works but you may have to alter other things as well.
I'm debating this same issue, having blocks added, but would like a reputable place to install them. Any recommendation? Located in Riverside Ca
Posted 2016-10-21 10:00 AM (#168699 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 391 Location: Columbia, KY
We bought a 2012 Dodge 4x4 duelly about a year ago and had the same problem. the Dodge sits up 5" higher than my old F350. The LQ trailer (2008 Hart 3H) squats the truck down some but there was still not enough clearance. We had the trailer axles blocked 4" by a local shop and it cost about $650. It's no problem for the horses to jump in and out but I'm short and carry a little step stool to get in the back. ;)
Posted 2016-11-01 3:32 PM (#168805 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Here's an idea (did not say good). Several people around here, just run as normal. When (not if) the box is damaged, they take the insurance money and buy a flatbed. Have seen it done numerous times......
Last one got around 4500 in insurance to buy a 4,000 flatbed.....no idea, but I do suspect, he paid for it thru higher insurance..
Posted 2016-11-03 6:27 PM (#168820 - in reply to #168576) Subject: RE: Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
Member
Posts: 30 Location: Eminence KY
i have never seen a perfect level ground ,there is almost alway's a ditch pull in or a back up to a bank . it does not take much to make a difference .
Blocking trailer axles...your experiences/advice
