5th wheel and 2nd gen towing

[DHostetler]

I have a 2002 4x4 6speed and want to put in 5th wheel. Having problems with truck being too tall for kingpin height. Truck is stock suspension. 6 speed 2500 4x4 has bedrail height of 58 inches. I am looking at trailer that can have pin height around 47 inches,maybe 48. Not sure how to get height lower without major work. Flat bed and low pro hitch? I'm at a loss on what to make this happen. Maybe someone on here has ran Into this before.

 

[GAmes]

58 inches is 7 inches higher than my 2WD. Are you sure the suspension is stock? A flatbed isn't a bad idea, or just remove the bed and install some fenders. I've seen quite a few hot shotters who have done that.

 

[petersonj]

I have a 2002 4x4, 6 spd. The height to the top of the bed rail is 54" at the front of the bed and just under 56" at the rear of the bed. My truck is completely stock - I have owned it since new. I do have 245/75R16's on it though, but that should only lower the height less that 1/2 inch.

- John

 

[AH64ID]

What’s the trailer? Any mods you can do to lift it?

I believe my truck is about 58” at the top of the bed rail, and it drops 1” when loaded. I did have to lift my 5th wheel slightly to maintain level and 8-9” of clearance for the back roads we drive. The trailer only has 225/75R16 on it thou. I’d like to run 235/85R16’s but don’t have the room.

 

[DHostetler]

58 inches is 7 inches higher than my 2WD. Are you sure the suspension is stock? A flatbed isn't a bad idea, or just remove the bed and install some fenders. I've seen quite a few hot shotters who have done that.

Yes,all stock. 2002 6speed ho with trailer package is putting my bedrails at 58in. It has what looks like 5 or 6 in lift under rear springs that I guess was part of the trailering package back then

 

[DHostetler]

What’s the trailer? Any mods you can do to lift it?

I believe my truck is about 58” at the top of the bed rail, and it drops 1” when loaded. I did have to lift my 5th wheel slightly to maintain level and 8-9” of clearance for the back roads we drive. The trailer only has 225/75R16 on it thou. I’d like to run 235/85R16’s but don’t have the room.

Escape 5th wheel. They can put different axles under it,but it only raises it 2 5/8 and that's still isn't getting me close. That puts the pin height right around 47 1/2. If I put 16 in hitch I'll be in the neighborhood of 54 inch

 

[GAmes]

Since you are still looking an alternative is a travel trailer.

 

[AH64ID]

Escape 5th wheel. They can put different axles under it,but it only raises it 2 5/8 and that's still isn't getting me close. That puts the pin height right around 47 1/2. If I put 16 in hitch I'll be in the neighborhood of 54 inch

Those are a little 5th wheel, so it makes sense they are low.

Have you looked into the height it would be at with a goosebox?

 

[petersonj]

@DHostetler , if you have separate overload springs on the rear axle and you have a rear axle anti-sway bar, then this is part of the Camper Special Package, not the trailer package.

- John

 

[AH64ID]

A reverse level may be a viable option to lose a few inches too.

 

[Ozymandias]

Get a trailer that suits the tow vehicle, there are nice small ones available that come in standard height.

Matching a Chihuahua with a German Sheppard doesn't come out well.

Here is what Escape says about the tow vehicle.
https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/...TI-01095-01TOWING-GUIDELINES-ESCAPE-5.0-1.pdf

 

[p-Bar]

If your your wanting a little trailer get a pull behind unit. Problem solved

 

[slowmover]

Escape 21 looks okay. And you don’t lose the bed to the hitch.