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Post by wahoo on Dec 18, 2021 12:05:24 GMT -5
I lowered the back of the dually a couple of inches with some high quality spring shackles. There is still a five inch delta between the front and rear frame height on our Escalade. This looks like a reasonable solution to shrink the difference, their kit is solid steel and runs in the $200 range with 9/16 u bolts. There are tons of opinions out there on lifting blocks for a fifth wheel both for and against but if these keep the rear end off the ground, I will add some x braces to the front and rear hangers and see how it goes. Photos once it is done. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QRc6BNaLgU |
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Post by nvguy on Dec 18, 2021 23:07:21 GMT -5
As you said there are arguments for and against the blocks or really any method to raise a trailer. But you gotta do what you gotta do so you don't damage the rear of the trailer. Just keep an eye on those long U bolts.
Funny how Detroit keeps building taller and taller trucks with little thought as how one will get a 5th wheel connected.
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Post by wahoo on Dec 20, 2021 12:07:26 GMT -5
You are right, maybe the towing segment isn't a large slice of who heavy duty trucks are sold to...but it is difficult to imagine that. This is the first fifth wheel I could not work out using the hitch and pin box adjustments. My first choice would be the IS system but Morryde is 13 months out and around $7000ish. Doing subframe work for the lift still leaves me with springs and hangers...two month wait and probably a couple grand. This is a maybe temp solution, maybe not. For every doomsayer there is someone who has tens of thousands of miles on a lift without incident. Increasing the ubolt size from 1/2 to 9/16 and those heavy duty lock nuts in the kit should do the trick. IS or Silent Ride in the future:)
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Post by nvguy on Dec 21, 2021 0:53:34 GMT -5
That's what doesn't make sense. Detroit sells trucks prepped for 5th wheels, but in some cases darned if you can fit the truck under a 5th wheel.
At the dealership I worked at we did a couple suspension subframe lifts, yeah it wasn't cheap and you still have steel springs.
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Post by laknox on Dec 21, 2021 10:21:20 GMT -5
Wahoo, you might also look at the Roadmaster Comfort Ride system, with shocks. Roadmasterinc.comLyle |
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Post by wahoo on Dec 21, 2021 10:53:45 GMT -5
Thanks, Lyle:) I promise I have left no stone unturned. Roadmaster looks great and slipper springs/shocks appear to offer a great ride. I'm still stuck with a subframe build and hangers/springs...and it sure is not a bad way to go. For relatively equal money, the Silent Ride eliminates the hanger/spring component. The Morryde product manager could not point me to a user of this product so until it gets out there a little, I'm going to hold off. I bought one of the first Ford 6.0 diesels and that stung for quite a while:)
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Post by wahoo on Dec 21, 2021 19:37:36 GMT -5
Sorry for the bad vibes on springs and hangers, when you read as much crap as I have on suspensions over the past month, it makes you a little jumpy. Other than a Carriage unit with torsion axles, all my other fivers have had them and I have had no issues. Anything can break but is less likely to when maintained and serviced as needed. Maybe these blocks will be the permanent solution.
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Post by laknox on Dec 22, 2021 10:48:38 GMT -5
Only other thing I could suggest is to add x-bracing between the spring hangers. Helps to stiffen things up and "share" the load between both frame rails. Cheap enough to do with some 1.5-2" square tube welded to the hangers.
Lyle
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Post by wahoo on Dec 22, 2021 14:35:20 GMT -5
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Post by wahoo on Jan 5, 2022 11:17:11 GMT -5
So the Morryde 4000 install went well, took me about 3 hours to singlehandedly install using various yoga poses under the trailer. Next was the suspension block lift addition which looked butt simple but I hired the local trailer dudes to make sure I was not missing anything and to make sure stuff was aligned as much as possible. Upgraded from stock 1/2 inch ubolts to 9/16, torque spec is 93-115 ft/lbs. Scott at Simcoe Spring Service has been great to work with. Also installed Morryde x factor crossmember on the front and rear hangers to match the one in the middle. One thing to note, when installing the blocks, we had to extend the brake wires... Last photo is pre-lift, need to get one after but forgot yesterday.... |
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Post by Chuck on Jan 9, 2022 16:46:45 GMT -5
wahoo We did what you did 3 years ago, added the X-factory cross members to front an back an over the suspension ,
Chuck
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Post by wahoo on Apr 30, 2024 8:51:21 GMT -5
After a couple of years and several thousand miles, the lifting blocks are still hanging in there. I re-torque the ubolts before every trip and never found them to have loosened. Just got back to Florida from a trip around NM, AZ, UT and CO....the roads in America do not appear to be getting better. There were some smooth patches for sure but there were some pretty bad spots as well. Common to have drawers open and furniture moved around at the end of a towing day, not to mention the stress on the truck and it's occupants.
So the fiver is still nose high and its suspension needs improvement. Currently considering raising the trailer for either the Roadmaster system or torsion axles or maybe the Timbren Silent Ride...Morryde IS is an option although expensive and the long time frame is not friendly to the impatient:) Anyone with experience with any of the above, please chime in!
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