Height

[Charley67]

My truck is 59 inches high at the top of tailgate. I'm looking for a used 5er. Will there be enough clearance under the front of most 5ers? I understand I need about 8 inches clearance when connected.

 

[JR]

You've got 2 adjustment points for height, the hitch in the bed of your truck and the pin box on the 5th wheel. It takes a little trial and error but between the two you should be able to maintain bed rail clearance while keeping your 5th wheel pretty close to level.

 

[Charley67]

That's what I was hoping to hear. I'm not new to pulling 5ers, but I've never had a truck this tall.

 

[GAmes]

You've got 2 adjustment points for height, the hitch in the bed of your truck and the pin box on the 5th wheel. It takes a little trial and error but between the two you should be able to maintain bed rail clearance while keeping your 5th wheel pretty close to level.

I disagree. The back of mine is 51" If it was 8 inches taller it would take a lot more than pin box and hitch adjustments for to keep any normally rigged 5er level. I've hooked to a lot of them, all brands, new and older and have never had an issue with the trailer being close to level. There is always flipping the axles if the leaf springs are attached on the bottom. The new 5er I just bought has the spring perches on the top, no way to raise it other than bigger tires, and there are limits there too.

 

[JR]

You've got a 2 wheel drive rig right Gary?

I've got no issues with clearances on my rig towing my Forest River. Ive actually got more adjustment on my hitch if i needed the clearance. I don't claim to have anywhere near the towing background that you do but my camper is a very ordinary rig. Can't be too many variances in the other manufacturers.

 

[GAmes]

That is what I was saying, they are all pretty close to the same height at the hitch. If there was a great deal of adjustment, hooking up would make at least three or four of them nose low. If my bed was that high the trailers I hooked to would be very nose high and clearance would be an issue at the rear of the box. The back of the truck dropping an inch or two while hooked up would help. Unfortunately my 5er is parked on an incline, so I can't tell you how high the bottom of the trailer is from the ground, and I've never taken the time to check any of the ones I've pulled. I suggest the OP measure some trailers and take a good look at the pin boxes. They are not created equal when it comes to adjustment potential.

 

[ScottLewis]

Did you consider how much the truck will lower when weight from the trailer is applied? My '06 drops quite a bit more than my '98 did. I run with about 4"-5" clearance when connected. I have a short bed which can get by with a little less than a long bed, and have never made contact with the RV while towing.

 

[Charley67]

Thanks for the replies. How hard is it to flip axles, if that is necessary?

 

[mbirch]

My 2005 4x4 is higher than my chevy truck and it was a problem for my 5th wheel. Like you I wanted 8 to 9 inches of clearance front to back on my bed because I have "kissed" the trailer before. You can adjust the hitch pin up or down but you want the trailer to be level after you do it. I had to raise the height of the trailer by welding new saddles on top of the axle and then dropping the axle under the springs. Do not just flip the axle like some do as it will not ride properly. I wasn't that hard to do, I did it myself, but you must know how to weld etc. Also you have to block up the trailer while changing the axles. It raised my trailer six inches and now it sits level.

 

[Charley67]

Thanks, mbirch, that's probably what ill wind up doing. I've watched a few YouTube videos on it, and I believe I can do it. We looked at a 2005 Jayco Designer yesterday that we really liked. We were in the car, so I'm going back today and hitch to it to see what's what.

 

[SnoKing]

Thanks, mbirch, that's probably what ill wind up doing. I've watched a few YouTube videos on it, and I believe I can do it. We looked at a 2005 Jayco Designer yesterday that we really liked. We were in the car, so I'm going back today and hitch to it to see what's what.

A lot of the Jayco's had extra Jack Plate holes for the springs, so the trailers can be raised 2" or sometimes 4". Snoking

 

[Charley67]

Yes, Snoking, I bought the Jayco this morning, and I saw that I can raise it all I need at the spring shackles. I'm very happy about that. Also, when I hitched to it, it was much better than I had envisioned. I have about 6" of clearance and the nose is really not too high. Thanks everybody for your responses.

 

[CWade]

When you get it all leveled out. (I have always been told that 7 inches between the top of the bed rails and the camper was the proper clearance) be sure to climb up on top with a long level and tape measure. Level on the highest point (usually the air conditioner) and measure to the ground so you will know exactly how much overhead clearance you need! I have yet to hook my 5th wheel to my new truck, but when I measured from the floor of the bed to the ground at the rear, it is within half an inch of my old truck.

 

[DennyDay]

Thanks for the replies. How hard is it to flip axles, if that is necessary?

Not a big problem, but you don't want to just turn the axels over, you need to weld spring hangers on the top of the axels so the axels face the same direction, and the center curve is upright. Not a big deal but, you might find it cheaper to put new axels under the coach. That is what I did 4 years ago, and also increased the weight carrying capability from 3500 hundred pounds to 7000 pounds for each axel with six lugnuts.

Good luck