Fifth Wheel Clearance

[DocStressor]

Friends of mine with a 3500 4X4 just picked up a new 5ver. The dealer leveled the rig, but did not reverse the axles. They only ended up with about 4 inches of clearance between the bottom of the trailer and the top of the truck bed. They are concerned that there is going to be contact if they hit a dip when pulling the rig. It is my understanding that you need at least 6 inches of clearance. Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences?

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags,Reese Titan V hitch, Mag-Hytec differential cover with Amsoil 2000 75W-90 lube, Amsoil air filter

 

[pwr2tow]

That dealer is a bozo, he knows there is suppose to be 5 1/2 inch minimum. He is just selling them a camper without haveing to pick up the extra expense of raiseing the camper. Check and see if you can raise the 5th wheel plate for a cheep fix.
Ron
P. S. I hate dealers of any kind, They will try to screw over there own mothers if they can.

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1999, 3500, 6x6, slt, auto, 3. 54, Qd cab, ISB cummins, towing 2001 26RKSS Tahoe 5th wheel, 1999 120hp 1800 bayliner.

 

[Barry]

WOW, I was unaware that anyone of my TDR brothers hated me... ... ... .

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s,LSD,EZ with elbow(28psi)Stage 1 injectors from Carl,Boost/Pyro Guages,4" Turbo back,BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover,Kleen Wheels,Energy Release,70 gal. fuel,20K Reese. 31,000 Miles on 03/01/01(Auto/Truck/RV Dealer)Honda GL 1500 SE Pearl White for fun.

 

[M1A2]

Bed rail/camper clearance of 5 inches really should be the minimum. With that, and cautious driving you would be surprised at the entry - departure angles you can negotiate.
Being perfectly level is not as big an issue as it use to be with newer units(fridge). Another important consideration is the height off of the ground in the rear of the camper (dragging it as you enter/exit uneven ground)

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1999 FLAME RED 2500 SLT, QC, 4X4 AT, 3. 54 AGATE LEATHER

 

[Guest00]

4" #ad


His bed will be eating his 5th at the fuel stops and camp grounds.

 

[Guest00]

Barry,
I dont think it was personal.
I think it is about the same porportion of good DC service depatments to bad
Have you ever seen a dealer really screw a first time buyer ????? The larger dealers seem to be the worst.

There are very few reputable dealers sales depts.
unfortunatly MOST rv sales people have a reputation about 2" LOWER than the average WE TOTE THE NOTE used car lot salesman.
I have po'd several dealers when on thier lot I have over heard the sales man lying to people and gone over and told the people the truth and blown the salesmans deal.
Be it deliberate or salesmans ignorance, maybe stupidity the customer suffers.

 

[Bob Wagner]

your friend needs to get those axles flipped!

 

[brobeson]

I have a 2500 4X4 and a 35ft. 5er. My clearance is 6 inches and I have touched the bed with the trailer. No damamge as I cought it in time, back out and came in at a different angle.

I would like 6 plus on my new rig.

less than 5 is trouble for sure.

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1998. 5, 2500, SLT, 24V, 4X4, Auto, 4. 10 towing 35ft. 5er
On Order due May 1. 3500, SLT+, Green/Tan, HO, 6 speed, 4X4, 4. 10, towing package, camper package, E-brakes.

 

[trbotrk]

When I picked up my first 5er I only had about 3. 5 to 4 inches bed rail clearance. After putting the bed rails into the underside of the 5er on my first trip out I had the trailer raised and the RV dealer picked up the bill. With less than 6 inches clearance you will have trouble turning off a road and going down an incline. Been there done that... My . 02 cents

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99 2500,etc,ddx,qc,slt,ez K&N,gauges,lsd,3. 54rear,flowmaster, tow a 13k 5er.

 

[FMcClaren]

Has anybody bought a lift kit from dexter
recently? The only thing i see an there site
is a under over kit that requires welding i
think. I got 5 inches of clerance but not level yet. I emailed Dexter 2 weeks ago and
no reply. I was hoping to do it myself without welding. It,s almost time to hit the
road. Mac


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01 2500 Bright silver QC A/T 4x4 LB 3. 54

 

[Runaway]

Hmph, always wondered why it couldn't be done that way. $25 bucks an axle, certainly better than flipping axles and having to re-arch them.

 

[TowPro]

I had a 1500 4wd, towing a 30' Rockwood wildwood 5th. (on scale weight 5500 lbs)

Anyway My dealer also said " 4" clearence is more then enough". Well I don't know where it happened, but yes the rear of the truck hit the camper frame, what a mess! So I started screwing around with the hight of the 5th hitch, results to get more clearence on the bed, the camper was riding down the road with its nose in the air, which actualy caused it to sway like a Travel trailer, NOT GOOD!.

Then I installed the Dextor lift kits on the camper, ended up with over 6" of clearence and a level camper. Never had a problem again.

After I sold the 1500 4X4 for a 2500 2wd, I kept the camper up high and had over 8" of clearence!

My new Terry runs around 8" clearence from the factory.

to make a long story short, have the dealer install the Dextor lift kits. several years ago they were like $24. 00 per axle. It is an easy job, can be done without a welder. Here is the URL to check out the kits
http://www.dexteraxle.com/service_literature/pdfs/059-551-00.pdf

 

[time1]

Try this URL for the Dexter over-under conversion kit. There are two kits listed depending on the size of your axles. This company has been real good to work with for me.
http://www.dexteraxle.com/dexter_marketplace/product_listing.php?kit_name=Over%2FUnder+Conversion+Kit

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Tim Edwards
-- email address removed --
'99 , SLT, QC, Cummins, NV4500 , 4X4, Bright White, Agate, M/T 16X8 Rims,265 X 75 R16s, Westin nurf steps, Smitty Built push bar, etc.

 

[klenger]

Question: Would you need to have as much clearance on a short box truck as a long box? I would think not as there is less distance from hitch to tailgate.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box/
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[Okie-Go]

You guys have me wondering. I have never measured my clearance but will next time I am hooked up.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[dmurdock]

klenger, i think it's the same because the extra distance in a long box is in front of the axle...

 

[cmizell]

Has anyone raised a fifth wheel with torsion axles?

 

[TowPro]

I have seen something for these, but can't remember where. Might have been somewhere on the Dextor site. Keep looking.

Originally posted by Craig Mizell:
Has anyone raised a fifth wheel with torsion axles?

 

[CUMMINAGAIN]

Although I do not own a fifth wheel camper my horse trailer is extremeley close to the bed rail, and have a useless tailgate, and mashed bed rail because of this. The only problem with raising the hitch in the truck is that the back end has more of a chance to hit the ground. Also depends where you take the camper. We own RV resorts around the country and none of our resorts have steep inclines anywhere.

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2001 3500,4x4,5 spd, delivered, 3/15/01

 

[DocStressor]

My friend contacted the dealer who sold them the trailer and he said that they should lower the truck. Even Ted Janetty, who put an e-brake in for them, had the same suggestion. Has anyone done this? What are the pros and cons of lowering the truck vs flipping the axles on the trailer?

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags,Reese Titan V hitch, Mag-Hytec differential cover with Amsoil 2000 75W-90 lube, Amsoil air filter