I bought a used gn Exiss event XT300 (three horse slant load with a tack room.) The guy I bought the trailer from had a chevy. He bought the trailer new so it was set up for his truck not the DODGE. When I bought the trailer I had an 01 short bed 4x4. The clearance was not an issue with that truck as it didn't have as much bed to piviot under the trailer (sb vs lb). My 06 is a long bed 4x4 and now I'm having issues with the clearance between the bed and trailer. If it wasn't for my rail caps I'd have some creased rear bed sides. That said has anyone ever removed the axles and installed spacer blocks between the axles and trailer to allow more clearance. The axles are Dexter axles and are bolted to the frame. I don't think it should be to hard to do. But would appreciate any help or guidence on the matter. Hope that I explaned the problem correctly TIA Tim

 

DOES YOUR PICKUP SIT LEVEL OR IS THE REAR UP HIGHER?
I WONDER IF YOU TOOK THE SPACER OUT OF THE BACK [BETWEEN SPRING AND AXLE PAD,THERE ARE SEVERAL TO CHOOSE FROM]IF THIS WERE THE CASE SO IT SAT LEVEL. IT SOUNDS EASIER THAN MODIFING THE TRAILER,OF COURSE ITS ONLY IF THE BACK SITS WAY UP LIKE SOME OF OURS ARE.
PAUL

 

The truck sits pretty level. I'd also like to stiffen the rear suspention as I feel it is to soft. I like how it rides though.

 

Dont know if this helps you but I know theres kits to do a spring over that are pretty simple. lots of guys pulling toyhaulers with dexter axles around that have gained clearance that way..might get you a couple inches anyway..

 

How Much Clearence Do You Need ?also Did You Have Horses Loaded Also? My Gooseneck Backing In My Drive Way Gets Weird Going From The Street [road Crown ] To Thedrive And Im Glad My Truck Is Not Higher Cause It Would Rub. I Guess I Could Lift The Hitch In Front But Then The Trailer Would Have Way To Much Rake.

 

I had to raise a 5th wheel camper with normal springs for the same reasons. Used SOLID aluminum alloy bar stock for the spacers, and bought new high grade u-bolts. It worked. I'm not sure how you'd do it with Dexter torsion type axles. What suspension do you have - torsion or sprung? I used the solid aluminum because most of the spacers out there seemed wimpy - hollow cores, etc.

 

If you could do a picture of the trailer hooked to the truck, then it would be easier to diagnose your problem.

I am going to guess that the trailer has one of those "straight" necks, that doesn't allow for much clearance over the sides of a factory bed.

This is a downfall of many cheaper-built/ less-well-thought-out gooseneck-type trailers.

I always buy/build ONLY high-clearance breakover-neck trailers, even though I only have flat-equipped trucks and never have problems with bed clearance issues.

If you have sprung axles, preferrably slipper springs, then it is a simple matter to ditch the drop axles that you most likely have, in favor of much better straight axles; this will get the trailer up four inches.

If you swap axles, then this would be a good time to also do away with problematic electric brakes, in favor of hydraulics.

It may be enough to solve the problem, but probably won't.

Most straight-neck trailers have pathetically low neck clearance.

The best fix is to measure the neck height of some trailers that you know have clearance and to shop for a different trailer that has the clearance you need.

 

I have spoken to Exiss about this exact problem you can get a 3" block for those trailers and not have any problem.

 

GOOD that should bee a good fix, to stiffen up the back of your ride if it rides at the right height,try some rs9000 or simular shocks which are adjustable.i like them cause you can easily turn the **** to stiffen or loosenn the way they feel .

 

I've just come back in from hookin the trailer to get some measurements. I also took pics, but they may have to wait until the weekend as I need to get the film developed. My clearance between the rail and trailer- at the rear of the bed and closest crossmember on the trailer is only 5.5", and at the front of the bed measures 6". This is with the receiver tube as short as it will go trying to acheve a level ride on trailer. Sorry that I can't show pics. Do you have to get those blocks from the manufacture of one of their dealerships? Thanks for all the help. This is with no horses.

 

I would rather lower the back of the truck than raise the horse trailer. If you raise the horse trailer by 3" you increase wind resistance, increase the loading height for the horses, and could slightly affect stability when cornering, etc.

Here is a great article with pictures on how to lower a 3rd generation truck at no cost other than your time:

http://www.klenger.net/dodge/lowerin...d/slide01.html

Based on your existing clearances this may just be enough to do what you want. Be sure to extend your GN tube by the amount you lowered the truck or the side rail clearance will not change.

 

If the rear of any truck is lowered very much, it will do weird things with the handling characteristics, as it alters the camber of the ball-joints/king-pins, therefore changing steering geometry.

Does the trailer in question have drop-axles??

 

No not really very much in this particular modification. The beauty of this lowering is that these spacers that normally sit on TOP of the axles are simply relocated to the top of the leaf springs. The axles, drive shaft, etc stay right where they since no modifications are being made to shock locations or wheel size etc. According to his chart the frame is only lowered by about 1.25" closer to the axle and I think that represents only half a degree angle change. If you look at the before and after pictures side by side comparison:http://www.klenger.net/dodge/lowerin...ore-after.html
you will see what he has done and should not affect geometry by much. This just might be enough to give him the added clearance he needs from trailer to top of bed rails. Its worth a shot, and he can always go the other route of raising the trailer if he needs to.

 

The trailer in question has straight torsion type axels (dexter). I should have some pics by the weekend hopefully. It will make it easier to see what is the problem at hand.