Lifted Truck Guide

Lifted trucks are great for higher ground clearance and off-roading. But when it comes to towing on Sacramento streets, they are not the ideal vehicle for the task. That said, it depends on how high your lifted truck is off the ground and where the hitch is located.

After all, lifted trucks have become pretty popular among Elk Grove pickup drivers. If you’ve wondered, “How do I lift my truck?” or anything else, our experts are here to help. So, we’ve created a handy collection of answers to all your lifted truck questions below!

Can You Tow With a Lifted Truck?

Yes, you can tow with a lifted truck, but it is mostly not recommended due to where tow hitches normally attach: at the base of the truck’s bed. Some lift kits don’t affect the hitch’s placement, but others might. The key is to have a hitch that can drop down from the bed of your lifted truck.

What Kits Do I Need to Lift My Truck?

Lifting a truck requires using one of two kits: a body lift kit or a suspension lift kit. We generally recommend body lift kits to our Roseville customers who are doing this for the first time or learning how to lift a truck. Body kits are less complex than suspension kits and are easier to install. Here are the details about each type:

Kits for Lifting a Truck

Body Lift

• Can increase your truck’s height by one to three inches (not as high as a suspension lift)
• Is less expensive than a suspension lift
• Is far simpler than a suspension lift

Suspension Lift

• Can lift your truck four to six inches (twice as much as a body lift)
• Is more expensive than a body lift and may require the purchase of additional parts
• Is more complex than a body lift

How Does Lifting a Truck Affect Towing?

Lifting a Truck Could Change the Angle of the Tow Bar

When you have a standard hitch on a truck bed, the tow-bar is perfectly parallel to the ground and straight back from the hitch. On a lifted truck, the tow-bar could be at an angle on standard trailers. The back of the trailer could scrape the ground, the cargo could become unbalanced, and the hitch may not even latch properly when it’s at an angle to the ground. That’s why a regular hitch on a lifted truck won’t work. You’ll need a specific hitch that keeps the tow-bar parallel to the ground.

Lifting a Truck Can Cause the Bed to Lean

Your bed could start to lean back due to the weight of the trailer and the angle of the tow-bar. Your lifted truck’s bed leaning backward could cause permanent damage, requiring major repairs. Also, lifting a truck can lessen towing capacity, so make sure you know the weight limit that can be towed before you hitch something to your truck.

What Tools Do I Need for Lifting a Truck?

• Vehicle jacks and jack stands
• Socket wrench
• Torque wrench
• Lug wrench
• Screwdriver
• Body lift kit -or- suspension lift kit

How Do I Lift My Truck?

Just follow the steps below for lifting a truck:

How to Lift a Truck

• Remove the negative battery cable.
• Loosen the lug nuts so the tires (don’t remove the tires).
• Use your jack and jack stands to raise the vehicle.
• Remove the wheels and tires.
• Remove the old U-bolts and your vehicle’s current shocks and springs.
• Attach the new bolts while assembling any parts according to the instructions that came with your kit.
• Attach the new shocks and suspension.
• Use your torque wrench to ensure all pieces and bolts are tightened according to the proper specifications.
• Mount the tires.
• Lower your vehicle carefully, keeping it as level as possible as it inches toward the ground.

Need More Lifted Truck Advice From Kareem Auto Sales Inc?

Selling used lifted trucks is just one of our specialties, so stop by and see what beauties we have to offer at Kareem Auto Sales Inc. If you have questions, feel free to contact us or call (916) 473-1656. For more details, you can do your research into lifted vehicles and how you can benefit from them in Roseville and Folsom.