wheels tires lift ?

[03LTDMAX]

New guy here, I am towing a 5th wheel Sundowner horse trailer appox. 11,000 lbs and 32ft length. I want to upgrade the tires, rims and considering installing a lift. My concern is whether or not a 6" lift will raise the bed to high to clear the gooseneck of the trailer without hitting the bed rails. Considering 285/75/16 with a RCD lift. I was told that the RCD lift raises the rear by 4" and the front 6" which would level the truck. Any suggestions?

[Cooperrw]

I tow a 3 horse GN and I clear the bed with no problems. All the lift kits level the truck 4 in front 3 in back, ect. The truck will set nose high when a load is placed in the bed, air bags would correct this if the nose high attitude is unacceptable for you. I stayed with a 4 inch kit for two reasons, 1. clearing my trailer ( I tow off road alot) 2. it still fits in my garage. I love the ride. :cool:

[03LTDMAX]

Thanks River Rat --- Another question I have is about the warranty. I heard that if the dealer installs the lift that the warranty is still covered. If anyother vendor puts it on it voids the warranty. Did you run across this issue?

[Cooperrw]

I haven't had any warrenty problems yet, and I've heard all the stories going around. The dealer in town has the lift installed by a local shop, the same one that put mine on. I know the dealer will install the hypertech chip, they say it's the only way to recal the speedometer on the 05's. I think it's going to depend on your local dealership, from what I have read some are better than others at doing warrenty work. :rolleyes:

[03LTDMAX]

I have seen a few trucks with the Rancho 4" lift this seems to be the way to go for me.I see you live in AZ, Could you tell me where and how much the lift cost?

[Cooperrw]

Cost was about $1,700 for the black kit, (it also comes in red for about a $100.00 less) plus $300 to $400 for installation. The 4 inch kit would look good with the 285's, I believe that's a 33 inch tire. The 315's I have are 34.5 inchs and required minor trimming of the lower front bumper (plastic area) and some of the inner splash gaurd as well. The truck rides better, it's not as harsh as with the E rated stock tire's. I like Rancho because they have been around for a long time and are still going strong. One question, is your trailer a goose neck or 5th wheel? the reason I'm asking is 5th wheels tend to set closer to the bed rails. Sun Valley bumper here in Kingman did the work on my truck. :cool:

[03LTDMAX]

The trailer is a GN 3H slant, I already have the hypertech box,so I am o.k there. I hate to keep bothering you but, with the expense of the rims and tires and lift. I am looking at close to $5000.00 do you know if it is possible to do 17" rims w/285/75/17 or even what you have 315/70/17
without doing the lift right away.I think I can install the lift myself.So it would only be a matter of a month,2 at the most before I got the lift on. Do you see any problems with this?

[Cooperrw]

Your not bothering me, I'm glad I can help. No way you can put 315's (34 1/2 inch) with out a lift, Not sure about 285's. I thought I had read somewhere else on the forum that some guys are running 285's, I don't know if they are lifted. You will have to trim the plastic on the front bumper and you may also have to trim some of the front inner fender liner. (it can be cut with a utility knife)

[Laynhose7]

Im running the stock rims and 305/70R/16 on my 05 GMC. Had to trim the front air dam just a little and repainted the edge with touch up paint and you cant tell I even did it. I had to adjust the torrsion bars just a little and there is no rubbing on the inner fender.

[rat4go]

I've seen 285/70-17's out there. Those have about the same diameter and width as my 285/75-16s and they don't touch on my '03 GMC, so that's an option if that size is avail in a tire brand/tread you want.

Rich