Coupling a fifth wheel with short bed lifted 1500

[scottford]

Coupling a fifth wheel with short bed lifted 2500

I have a 2012 2500 diesel with a mega cab, 6 inch lift, and 37 inch tires. I also have airbags. I am wanting to buy a Fuzion 5th wheel (model 322, approximately 35 ft). I am wondering if anyone else has tried to couple a fifth wheel with a lifted short bed? Some guys have recommended a Husky 10 Composite Glider because it allows for turn radius adjustments as well as a 3. 5 inch height adjustment. As for the fifth wheel itself, the axles are already reversed so it sits higher then most fifth wheels but what can I do if I need a couple more inches in height. I obviously do not want to go too high with it. Any suggestions you guys have would be much appreciated. Thanks, Scott.

 

[NIsaacs]

Is 1500 a typo?

Nick

 

[HBarlow]

Yes, I have a suggestion. Can you spell disaster? Do not attempt to tow a heavy fifthwheel trailer with that pretend truck.

You have approximately half enough truck to haul a huge fifthwheel trailer and have made it much worse with the lift and giant toy tires.

You don't have adequate frame, suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, or bed space to haul what you are planning. Your truck will be an accident looking for an opportunity to happen.

 

[scottford]

Sorry guys, it was a typo, it is a 2500

 

[HBarlow]

That's better but it's really not enough truck to haul a 37' fifthwheel and the shortbed will almost certainly result in contact between front corner of the trailer and back corner of the cab unless an extension king pin or sliding hitch is used.

The tires you have installed have very soft sidewalls with little lateral stability so with a trailer like that it will wobble and sway on the tires. A 4 x 4 is already too tall for most fifthwheels and a lift kid makes the problem far worse. Any fifthwheel you tow will have a nose up attitude and shift too much weight to the trailer's rear axle.

A bad combination in so many ways.

 

[Slow Six]

I agree with Harvey on this. I understand what you want to do but it is not a good idea. I have towed a lot with a lot of combinations.

 

[AEdelheit]

I have seen some 5th wheel short bed setups where they pivot where the 5th wheel meets the traile and not the bed, I can try to find the name of the setup if you'd like. The 6" Is from from ideal for towing but I your running a good tire like 37" Toyo MT the sidewalls are extreme stiff and ignore the ignorant old man that doesn't know crap his "intake" from "exhaust". If your running a D rated 37" it's another story.

 

[JJPage]

I have a shortbed with 4 1/2" lift w/airbags and 35" tires, pull a 30ft fiver toybox with an extended pinbox. I installed the Dexter spring kit that places the axles under the springs. With the adjustment of the pinbox mount, fifth wheel adjustment and Dexter kit I tow level and have no clearance issues. I also have a sliding fifth wheel which I never utilize, not needed with my setup. I will post pictures, you will see my fifth wheel has a very short overhang on the front which assists in not having clearance problems.

I can't find a picture with it connected but I assure you it sets level. The problems besides the high center of gravity are, you need another step to place under the entrance steps, you need blocks to place under the stabilizers, and now the ramp is so steep it makes it somewhat difficult to enter with certain vehicles. You have a 6" lift w/37" tires, so even more height to overcome. Can you do it?, sure, but it will not be optimal on the hiway by any means, it will work well in the boonies and dunes.

 

[scottford]

AEdelheit. I'm running Trail Grappler M/T's that have a Load Range of E so I am not that concerned with my tires, despite what HBarlow posted. JJpage, I like the amount of clearance you have and I am assuming that is because of The Dexter Spring Kit. How much clearance do you have between the 5th wheel and your bed rails? I have about 4 1/2 inches now. I am trying to get to 6 inches which may require an extended pin box but that will definitely influence my ability to trailer it level. Would I be able to go with a slightly larger 5th wheel tire (without hitting the wheel wells obviously)? I am just trying to think of any way I can raise the trailor slightly without having to install blocks/lift kit on the axles. I am not sure if you tires are stock or if they are slightly larger?

 

[JJPage]

JJpage, I like the amount of clearance you have and I am assuming that is because of The Dexter Spring Kit. How much clearance do you have between the 5th wheel and your bed rails? I have about 4 1/2 inches now. I am trying to get to 6 inches which may require an extended pin box but that will definitely influence my ability to trailer it level. Would I be able to go with a slightly larger 5th wheel tire (without hitting the wheel wells obviously)? I am just trying to think of any way I can raise the trailor slightly without having to install blocks/lift kit on the axles. I am not sure if you tires are stock or if they are slightly larger

I have just under 7" of clearance between trailer and bed rails. An extended pinbox will give you more clearance lengthwise, not in height, but you should have several inches of vertical adjustment where your pinbox bolts into the pinbox mount, and more vertical adjustment available on the fifth wheel hitch itself.

My trailer tires are an OEM size 16" tire, it's in Montana or I could look and tell you for sure, but I believe 285/70/16's. You may be able to find a larger diameter tire to make up your difference.

I am kind of sorry I started the whole "lifting" business, it's been quite a bit of tweaking with unintended consequences. Please do not do yourself a dis-service by discounting HBarlow's comments, especially regarding towing issues. He is direct, but has years of expertise under his belt and will not intentionally steer you wrong.

Jess

 

[Bob4x4]

Not all 6" kits are created equal so that aspect is hard to judge. My Toyo 37"s have over 4k load rating as I recall-expensive and soak up some power but safe for towing. I don't think 410's are low enough to tow that heavy

 

[scottford]

Thanks Jess. I am certainly not discounting HBarlow. I have been on other forums and opinions vary, but if I can couple the 5th wheel with my truck I want to do it as safely as possible. I understand the limitations a lifted truck has. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. Scott.

 

[RonD]

There isn't one thing your talking about that will work, a half ton won't work, a lifted 6" truck won't work, then you want to raise the trailer more, please don't travel on any roads I may be on, you would do better with a tag along trailer for your toys, and find a good Motel to stay in


OTE=scottford;2335399]I have a 2012 2500 diesel with a mega cab, 6 inch lift, and 37 inch tires. I also have airbags. I am wanting to buy a Fuzion 5th wheel (model 322, approximately 35 ft). I am wondering if anyone else has tried to couple a fifth wheel with a lifted short bed? Some guys have recommended a Husky 10 Composite Glider because it allows for turn radius adjustments as well as a 3. 5 inch height adjustment. As for the fifth wheel itself, the axles are already reversed so it sits higher then most fifth wheels but what can I do if I need a couple more inches in height. I obviously do not want to go too high with it. Any suggestions you guys have would be much appreciated. Thanks, Scott. [/QUOTE]

 

[scottford]

I agree Bob. I have a pro comp lift and my buddy has a different brand (also 6" but I cant remember the name) and when our trucks are side by side mine sits about an inch lower then his. As to my tires they are max load rated at 3750 lbs. Is that not enough for towing a Fuzion 322 (dry weight 11720, loaded weight 16400). If it is safer going with the Toyo I would be willing to change. Thanks, Scott.

 

[JR]

Your 37's have a higher load rating than the factory 265/70/17s your truck came with. A few other factors you need to consider are gvw of the trailer (empty weight doesnt mean anything) and what your truck can legally carry for pin weight

 

[TJJEEPER]

I had a 06 2500 Quad Cab and bought a Raptor 35 that is actually 37 1/2' long.
#ad


It pulled it but in a cross wind it was a hand full. That and in California I was leaving myself wide open for trouble if I ever got in an accident. No way was the 06 rated to tow the 14k the rig weighed.
I went to this
#ad


'12 1 ton dually... night and day difference!

 

[GAmes]

... ... ... . ignore the ignorant old man that doesn't know crap his "intake" from "exhaust".

It is amazing what some people will type into a computer that they wouldn't have the gonads to say face to face with someone.



That "ignorant old man" has towed more RV miles in one year than you will tow in your lifetime, AND he did it for several years. In addition, he didn't have the RVer's option to go during nice weather to locations of his choice.



How many 37' toyhaulers have you towed? With a long bed duelly, empty new trailer, they are not for the novice. I wouldn't consider pulling a loaded one with a 2500, lifted or not.

 

[AEdelheit]

It is amazing what some people will type into a computer that they wouldn't have the gonads to say face to face with someone.

That "ignorant old man" has towed more RV miles in one year than you will tow in your lifetime, AND he did it for several years. In addition, he didn't have the RVer's option to go during nice weather to locations of his choice.

How many 37' toyhaulers have you towed? With a long bed duelly, empty new trailer, they are not for the novice. I wouldn't consider pulling a loaded one with a 2500, lifted or not.

Ill say it to his face if I ever get the chance. While he knows also about RV's I he also post alot of crap. I have a class A license and am very familiar with towing, I believe my response was about the OP's tires, Harvey had no knowledge that the op tires may very well have been rated higher and stiffer sidewalls then factory, he just reads the word lift and tires and starts spewing off crap. I never said a 2500 is ideal, but it's also not impossible, I give that old man the same respect he gives everyone else.

 

[GAmes]

I have a class A license and am very familiar with towing. .

Which means you have zero experience pulling a 37ft toyhauler on a lifted shortbed, 2500 with oversize tires. I don't either, and I never will.

 

[GAmes]

Ill say it to his face if I ever get the chance.

Those are the words of a rude, ignorant, boy.