5.0TA move tongue up one row of bolts

[jdoe99]

Has anyone moved their hitch to the top two rows of bolt holes on the frame? My new to me 5.0 is a bit high in the front when towing and I'd like to drop it down a couple of inches by moving the hitch up to the middle and top holes.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by jdoe99

Has anyone moved their hitch to the top two rows of bolt holes on the frame? My new to me 5.0 is a bit high in the front when towing and I'd like to drop it down a couple of inches by moving the hitch up to the middle and top holes.

Hi: jdoe99... Yes it's a two man job though. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[jdoe99]

Did you have to torque the bolts to certain specs?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by jdoe99

Did you have to torque the bolts to certain specs?

Hi: jdoe99... I towed the rig to my RV Tech and he & his son adjusted it. They installed the hitch in the truck but I didn't have the trailer there at the time. Changing from a 2010 Nissan Frontier to a 2016 Ram was a big stretch and I want to maintain a level tow!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: jdoe99... Yes it's a two man job though. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Depends on your mechanical aptitude and your tools. I moved ours up in January, 10F, and 6” of snow on the ground. First remove the four front bolts and the lower rear bolt first, inserting large punches to hold the hitch. Then, while holding the hitch up with my shoulder I removed the punches and rotated the hitch up where I could insert two punches on each side, remove the two remaining bolts and rotate the hitch up so you have four punches holding the hitch. Finally, start inserting the bolts and then tightening them like you would tighten wheel bolts. It was easy and I only dropped a couple of bolts/nuts in the snow..

Enjoy,

Perry

[escape artist]

Hi: Perry Butler... I have two left feet and two left hands. Makes it hard to get a pair of rubber boots or gloves. Taking it in for adjustment was easy and I do easy really well!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[jdoe99]

Good information. Did you torque to a spec or just tighten till they were solid?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by jdoe99

Good information. Did you torque to a spec or just tighten till they were solid?

Hi: jdoe99... Just a guess but I'd say 90' #s would suffice. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Centex]

Originally Posted by jdoe99

... Did you torque to a spec or just tighten till they were solid?

See the attached FYI, this copy from my archive but found on the Lippert site with some digging.

On page 5 you'll see some torque recommendations for those bolts. Note the size refers to bolt diameter, not wrench size, ours are 5/8" bolt diameter corresponding to the mention of "160 ft-lbs minimum for 5/8” bolts".

Those bolts have 3 slashes on the head, telling us they are SAE Grade 5 bolts. The 'standard guideline' torque for 5/8" SAE Grade 5 bolts is 150 ft-lbs plain finish / 188 ft-lbs galvanized finish (source: standard bolt torque tables).

Personally, I'm a 'torque to spec' kinda guy, but YMMV.

All just for your consideration, Have Fun!

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by jdoe99

Good information. Did you torque to a spec or just tighten till they were solid?

In 1972 I took a "Tools" class where we learned how to torque by the size of the wrench and grade of bolt. These bolts are so big one shouldn't have to worry about snapping the bolt in two. I tightened till tight and just did my spring check and they're sill tight. The birds like to build nests in there though, so we clean out that area every fall.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Civilguy]

Originally Posted by Perry Butler

In 1972 I took a "Tools" class where we learned how to torque by the size of the wrench and grade of bolt. These bolts are so big one shouldn't have to worry about snapping the bolt in two.

Mind you, you can do it if you really work at it...

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/for...e-bolt-failure/

(As one of the posters on the thread suggests, the cause of the bolt failure described really has nothing to do with the bulldog hitch mentioned in the thread title.)

[Mark James]

Originally Posted by jdoe99

Has anyone moved their hitch to the top two rows of bolt holes on the frame? My new to me 5.0 is a bit high in the front when towing and I'd like to drop it down a couple of inches by moving the hitch up to the middle and top holes.

This may not apply to you but my Demco double pivot hitch allows me to easily adjust the height of the hitch by easy bolt adjustments. There are several different settings. Not sure what hitch you have.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Mark James

This may not apply to you but my Demco double pivot hitch allows me to easily adjust the height of the hitch by easy bolt adjustments. There are several different settings. Not sure what hitch you have.

Good point. Hitches are normally adjustable, and either hitch or pin box can be adjusted to reach the right height for the front of the trailer to get the trailer level. Raising the hitch instead of the pin box would raise the pivot point, which will slightly affect both clearance to the truck box sides when the truck and trailer roll different amounts, and handling of the rig, but most people don't seem to worry about either of those factors.

Most hitches are likely easier to adjust than adjusting this pin box.

[jdoe99]

I have an Anderson hitch with the ball at its lowest position. I towed it home and it towed fine. I'm looking to level it out so there is better weight distribution on the two axles
.

[jdoe99]

Here's the unit sitting on the ball. It needs to drop close to 3 inches to sit level.

[jdoe99]

Sorry, here's the pics

[Civilguy]

Does it have the lift kit?

That might be one more option as it would add 2-5/8" to the trailer height.

[jdoe99]

It doesn't. I was thinking dropping the tongue would be easier and cheaper than a lift kit.

[Civilguy]

Originally Posted by jdoe99

It doesn't. I was thinking dropping the tongue would be easier and cheaper than a lift kit.

I expect that's true.

By the way, I know almost nothing about fifth wheels, so take that into account here!

[jdoe99]

I'm sure you know more than I do. I'm transitioning from a Bigfoot camper with a Malibu boat in tow and have no experience with 5th wheels. I'm excited about the Escape and the adventures ahead, but somewhat sad that my waterskiing days are now behind me. Like I always say..."Red lights and old age are the great equalizers". Can't tell you all how much I appreciate the help and we're looking forward to meeting other Escape owners!