need to raise scamp 5th wheel

[Jim in Homer]

I was told to look into getting a 6-8" lift kit for our newly purchased Scamp 5th wheel so we could tow it with our 2001 Ford F-150 with a side bed height of 52 inches. This would allow it to clear the sides and back tailgate. We are in Alaska and heading to New Mexico to pick it up and would appreciate any input on this problem.

[Greg H]

Wow, that's a lot of lift.

[Donna D.]

Hi Jim, welcome to FiberglassRV... we're glad you're here. What EXACTLY is the bed height on YOUR F-150, and nothing else matters? I own a 2000 Ford F-150... and it MAY not be a problem for me.... YMMV

[Eddie Longest]

I have a 2004 std, S19 with a 3" lift. I have to use 6"x6" blocks under the rear stabliers or they would not touch the ground. My front landing gears will reach the ground but they are a bit wobbly. I carry blocks for the front landing gear which really stablizes the trailer. A friend of mine who has a 3" lifted S19 blocked his entrance step out and down several inches. You might want to just go with a two step arrangement if you lift your trailer that high. If the trailer has 13" tires you may want to go with bigger tires and rims that may be all you need if the trailer already has a 3" lift.
I just turned the bed so our head is at the front of the trailer and added steps for the front bunk, best mod yet. Good luck with your new trailer.
Eddie

My trailer's upper deck lower edge is 56" when setting level. My frontier 4X4 truck bed is 50" from the ground empty, and I have plenty of clearance. If your trailer has a 3" lift you should be OK. When you put the trailer weight on the truck the bed should drop at least a couple of inches.

[mszabo]

I put a 5" lift of my S19. I have a Dodge 4x4 and it worked great.
I took the spacers and tools with me when I picked it up.
Used a grinder to cut axle loose, jacked it up installed spacers and had a welder come in and finish.
You will need to install the hitch also.

[John Cotrill]

I ordered my lift from Scamp, 4 1/2". Then after cutting off the axle I had welded
the lift kit and then welded the axle back in place.

I then went from 13" tires to 15" tires.

So far no problems pulls great behind my '04 Z71 Chevy, bed is 52" (I think) It's not here today, if it is a different height I'll repost.

Good luck with the project and welcome to the FG Forum.

John

[Darwin Maring]

Lifted our 5r and installed a new Dexter (BOLT ON) axle.

With a bolt axle you can change the axle in the future in less than 2 hours. Just jack the 5r up, put on jack stands, unbolt the axle, pull it out, place the new one under and bolt it up. Just that easy.

Welded on, well that's just a plain crazy thing to do. Why the heck the factory does that is a major mystery. Sounds to me like that want repeat business cutting off and welding on new axles.

[John Cotrill]

The 5er's have a little "bounce" going down the road, I thought welding might be the right thing to do. I wouldn't want the "bolts" to bounce loose!

I'm sure that the bolt on axle would work just great. And it was suggested to me before I lifted the trailer however if I wanted to lower it down again I would still hire the same shop to "unlift it". I think they charged me $200.00 to do the whole job.
I just do not have any plans to take the axle off again.

John

[Darwin Maring]

The axles come with the bolt holes already punched for install.

Thread lock, a lock washer and a long handled wrench and they shouldn't come loose.