Possible new 26RD owner questions about towing and the unit in general

[Bill_in_Utah]

Hello. We are thinking about getting an 26RD for our next rig. We just sold out first RV (Grand Design Imagine XLS 17MKE) which we liked but for our planned use was just a little too small.

Wish the 26RD had access to the bedroom/restroom with the slide in (like the 24RK) but the powers to be likes the 26RD.

My concern is that our stock truck is too tall to tow the 26RD. It’s a RAM 3500 crew cab 4x4 long bed with a bed rail height of 59.5 inches. According to Alliance customer service (excellent FAST response BTW) they state that when level the bottom of the trailer in the hitch area is 62 inches and you should have 6 inches of bed clearance.

We are new to towing 5th wheels so thought I’d ask folks with more experience here. Any comments on being able to tow this with our truck?

Any other thoughts about the 26RD?

Thanks in advance! Bill in Utah (for now😀)

 

[PARADOX]

We looked at the 26RD but because of the bedroom and bathroom access while traveling we decided on the 24RK.

 

[fyrmnjim]

Do any of you have the rear landing pads really close to the ground?

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Do any of you have the rear landing pads really close to the ground?

Yes...I raised all 4 of the rear jacks up one level. Might to one more the the rear ones.

 

[PARADOX]

The rear leveling jacks on my 2023 24RK are 7in off the ground with the trailer level. They cannot be raised any higher.

 

[PARADOX]

Thanks. I'll look into the sumo springs and see if that will help.

 

[BryanValRox]

Thanks. I'll look into the sumo springs and see if that will help.

Hi folks, not sure of your exact issue here, I am guessing non level towing and a concern about your rear jack clearance ?
Sumo’s aren’t going to help change your level or jack clearance issues.
I would start by inspecting your springs to see if they have flattened out any. Several owners have reported loss of the arch in their springs on the Avenue.
Sumo’s are to supplement/absorb/dampen the spring movement as it experiences an impact.
If your springs have lost arch, the rear will sag, might be worth checking it out.

 

[Lantley]

When I faced similar leveling challenges with my prior Open Range 5th wheel,
I added a correct Trax alignment kit which raised rear suspension 1.5".
I also went with larger tires to gain another 1/2".
Between the two my rear raised 2". Which solved my bed rail clearance issue.

 

[PARADOX]

My trailer is only a year old and the springs are fine. My rear landing pads are very close to the ground and I cannot raise them any higher. I'm thinking of having the springs flipped to the top side of the axle to gain some more clearance and sumo springs to tame the chucking.

 

[BryanValRox]

My trailer is only a year old and the springs are fine. My rear landing pads are very close to the ground and I cannot raise them any higher. I'm thinking of having the springs flipped to the top side of the axle to gain some more clearance and sumo springs to tame the chucking.

So, just asking, is it normal for the springs to come from the factory on this model below the axle? I see several pictures for Avenue’s posted on this forum that clearly show the springs are mounted above the axle and have lost their arch.
Respectfully, not trying to poke the bear, just trying to understand why yours would be below and others are above.
Do I have your model wrong?
Search the forum for some posts from Corn Crib(Paul) he experienced the de arching and his are mounted above the axle.
Edit, just added a link to this video that shows a factory tour of the 24 RK. There is an excellent shot showing top mounted springs.

 

[PARADOX]

Senior moment. My springs are already on top.

 

[BryanValRox]

Senior moment. My springs are already on top.

As I recall, they (your jacks pads)can be installed above the departure angle or a minimum of 8 inches of clearance. You referenced 7 inches, but I wonder how your departure angle plays into your mounting.
Run a string from the bottom of your rear tire to the bottom rear of the coach, this will give you visibility to the departure angle, if your jack pad is above the string, it would seem to comply with the installation instructions.

 

[Socal-Paul]

Mine springs are below on our ML22, I have the kit to move them to the top but have been hesitant due to warranty. Our rig is down by the stern by several inches and the pin box has been moved to the top so we are out of adjustments. I will probably go ahead with the axle flip as we have 8000 miles on the trailer and I figure if something was going to go wrong it would have done so by now. I'm towing with a stock F250 4x4 so it's a little higher. Any comments welcomed.