03 DRW 4x4 and Alpenlite F'ver

[theHulk]

We're looking to purchase a 2000 Alpenlite Augusta 32RL to tow behind our 2003 3500 DRW 4x4 HO CTD. The f'ver has the axles on the high setting already.



As you all know these guys ride fairly high in the ass. Does anyone here have a similar setup? I'm trying to make sure that I'll have enough clearance between the trailer and my bed rails before I drive 1,500 miles one way to pick it up. The current owner is towing behind a new 2000 something Ford F-350 which he claims rides pretty high as well and he has good clearance between the two.



Your feedback would be very much appreciated.

 

[RustyJC]

Have the owner of the 5th wheel measure from the bottom of the front overhang to the surface of the load plate of the pinbox. Call this dimension "A".



Now, you can measure from the load plate of your 5th wheel hitch to the top of your bed rails. Call this dimension "B".



If you take A minus B, that will be the average clearance between the 5ver and the bed rails.



If you have good average clearance (5-6" minimum, more if possible), the next concern will be if the 5ver is going to be nose-high or the truck is tail-high (my truck squats probably 2" in the rear when we hitch up our heavy 5th wheel - see signature) when you're hitched up. If you're towing in this attitude, it will reduce the average clearance at the tailgate and increase it toward the front of the bed. In that case, you may have to look at raising the 5ver.



One way to tell if this might be a problem would be to have the owner level the 5th wheel while unhitched, then measure from the ground to the load plate on the pinbox. Compare this to the measurement of your unloaded truck from the ground to the load plate of the hitch (measure from the ground to the top of the bed rail, then subtract dimension "B" as measured earlier), less a 2" or so allowance for "squat" when hitched up. If the resulting measurements show that the load plate of the hitch is going to be substantially higher than the load plate of the pin box, you are probably going to have a towing attitude problem (i. e. , the 5ver will be nose high, and you'll be tight at the tailgate end of the bed. )



Rusty

 

[GerryDrake]

Easier

Take a long 2 x 4, lay it across the rear end of the bed at the tailgate and measure from the bottom of the 2 x 4 to the ground. Have the owner of the 5'er set it level and measure from the underside of the front of the trailer to the ground. Compare these (figure a drop of the truck of 2 to 3 inches when laden) and you can approximate what clearance you will likely have. Don't be surprised if the opposite ends of the 2 x 4 are about an inch different. . Mine, as with most, seems to have a list to the right... :{