2011 3500 silverado pickup

[hmwilbur]

I knew we were going to have a probem with the higher sides on the new pickup but bought one anyway. We tried pulling our 2006 DT without doing anything and could not even move it from where it was parked before the rear of the box came too close to the bottom of the nose and would have hit if we had not stopped. We unhitched and I moved my Reece Hitch up two holes and that brought the clearance between the top of the box and nose to an acceptable 6 inches in the front but only 4 1/2 inches in the tail gate area. Of course the trailer is no longer level. The bottom of the trailer is 22 inches from the ground in the front but only 17 inches at the rear. Somehow we must get the trailer level. Our spring shakle asembly is positoned in the center hole of the 3 holes in the bracket Has anyone changed the shakles to the bottom hole to get more height?

[GlennWest]

I would do this plus I'd add a bolt with a piece of pipe in the upper hole and tighten it. This would strengthen the shackle since I've read reports of them collapsing when extended all the way. I've worked on many farm trailers and I always done that for this very reason. I have personally seen farm trailer shackles fold over that were long with no additional support. Hope that gives you enough room. I have about 6 down to 4 with my truck but my MS is very close to level. Haven't had a problem.

[RickandJanice]

I had a local dealer drop our springs to the lowest hole in the shackles. Took them about an hour to complete the job. This is the best thing we have done to increase the clearance and still maintain a level attitude when towing.

[anijet]

When I raised ours to the highest level I also added spacers to the upper and lower shock studs so the shocks would not extend to their limits and cause them to fail. GW's suggestion of a bolt with spacer in the middle hole of the spring hangers is a very good idea. I've done it to one but plan to do the other three some day.

[golf_bears]

hmwilbur,

You have not mentioned which pin box you have. As suggested, dropping the leaf springs to the bottom hole in the shackles will raise the trailer about 1-1/4".

Can the pin box be lowered as well? You may have raised the hitch too high?

No doubt it's a combination of the correct adjustment of the three components, shackles, pin box and hitch, that will get you towing level with no less than six inches clearance between truck rails and bottom of the RV nose.

I have an MS with a F-450 and it took a few tries before I got the correct clearance.

Let us know how it works out.

[GlennWest]

While we are all on this subject, when achieving level, is slightly up in nose or slightly down in nose best? With mine, any adjustment will lower mine slightly in the front. It is slightly up now. I'm thinking slightly down in front would be better for air flow without adding a lot of weight to truck. What's your opinion?

[The View 5046]

With our 2008 Chevy 3500HD our 2009 Mobile Suite did ride about 3" high in the front. Never noticed any difference. With the Frieghtliner the 2009 and 2010 Mobile Suites rode the same. The bed clearance issues on the Chevy's seems to be the same since NBS Trucks came out. I really believe if I were buying a new Truck I would delete the OEM Truck bed and have a hauler bed installed. I have owned two Trucks with the hauler bed and in my opinion its the only way to go. Then you will have no bed clearance issues. And with the Lock boxes you have much more secure area's.

I haven't ever raised the frame on a 5th wheel to get more clearance. I don't really want it either. But I do understand you have to get some clearance. Our 2010 is set in the middle hole. Good Luck with your decision.

[Carny Bill]

With my 08 truck I had to lower the pin box, and yes it rides a little high in the front, but I haven't had a moments problem with it in thousands of miles.

[wingnut60]

Did the 2" adjustment on my '05 just this summer--it now sits level and clears the MR pin box much better. No problems noted from this change after about 8k miles.
joe

[Huck]

I noticed on all the TV adds that the trucks are all pulling goose neck trailers.

[wingnut60]

Got my Trailer Life today--feature is MS 38RSSB3 and 2011 Chevy 3500.
No mention of clearance problems with the hookup--and 10.6 towing ain't bad.
Joe

[hmwilbur]

We also got our Trailer Life today. They feature a dual wheel drive. I forgot to mention that our Chevy is a 4 wheel drive with 17" wheels. Our 06 just had 16" wheels but was also a 4 wheel drive. We tried to get 16" wheels when we ordered the truck but GM would not let us. We also use our truck for Livestock hauling and tend to get in places we should not be so hence the 4 wheel drive. We have been glad to have it at times hauling the RV also.

[Jimfla]

the 14 inch brakes would not fit in 16 inch wheels
JIM

[johndglynn]

One thing i adore for the Chevy Silverado 3500 HD is its suspension that can handle higher loads and can absord higher impacts with much efficiency.

_________________
2003 Chevy Silverado Leveling kit (http://www.jcwhitney.com/leveling-kits/chevrolet-silverado/c11312d16874j1s21.jcwx) 4x4 Crewcab, 6.0L, Tow Boss, Black and Arizona Beige, Moonroof, etc

[USA in a Chevrolet]

We were not able to use our new truck until last week as I had a reoccurence of prostate cancer & had to go for 8 weeks of radiation right after I bought THE 2011 3500HD with DRW. I averaged only 9.4 mpg coming down to Florida pulling our 2010 36RESB Select Suites. I only had 1200 miles on the truck when we left home. Do you guys think our mpg will improve?