5th Wheel Clearance from Truck Rails?

55wed55 · Sep 3, 2015

I bought a used truck and 5th wheel a couple of months ago. The first time I camped I had a heck of a time getting it into the site and ended up scrapping the bottom of the bedroom with the truck rails. Another time when I was pulling out of a campground from a gravel road to a hard road the back of the rails touched the trailer again.

What is the normal clearance for a 5th wheel setup?

I have a Dodge Ram 3500 with an 8" bed and have about 4 inches when level. Is this normal?

Rene T · Sep 3, 2015

You should have at least 5" to 6". Can you raise your hitch a little?

55wed55 · Sep 3, 2015

As is the trailer seems to tow level. If I raise the hitch is there some way to raise the back end also. Or is it OK to tow with the front higher than the back?

steveblonde · Sep 4, 2015

most people will tell you 5-6 inches - but in order to get it at that level with most of todays 4x4 trucks you have no choice but to tow a little nose high. but the lower you can keep it the better. i have 6inch of clearance and i am touch nose high if i drop the pin box 2inches im at 4inches which is too low damned of you do damned if you dont. and even at 6inches i have come within a 1/2inch of rubbing the the trailer, with the box. they say a max of 3 degrees nose high.
here read this
http://www.carid.com/images/curt/trailer-hitches/pdf/curt-16245-installation-instructions.pdf

Rene T · Sep 4, 2015

55wed55 said:
I have a Dodge Ram 3500 with an 8" bed and have about 4 inches when level. Is this normal?

You've only got to raise it 1" to 2" so that won't throw it off too much. You'll be fine

falconhunter · Sep 5, 2015

Some trailers have a second set of holes at the spring mounts to get the extra height.

5th Wheel Clearance from Truck Rails?

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