How To Prevent Bed Rail Damage When Towing Toy Hauler RV

Question:

I currently have a 2022 GMC 3500hd Denali Dually, it is equipped to use both a goose neck or fifth wheel hitch. My previous truck was a 2015 same make and model with only a gooseneck set up. I had issues with the fifth wheel trailer hitting the top bed rail of my truck and causing damage see picture for location. I have only taken my trailer out once with my new truck and it came very close to hitting the bed, I had to maneuver several time to get out of my camping spot with out damage. I hooked it up this week to get measurements and I have 6inchs of clearance from the bed rail to the bottom of the trailer. Would switching to a actual fifth wheel hitch fix this issue? I really dont want to damage my new truck. Im looking at the Curt 30k Item # C36WR. My other trailers are all goose neck and work trailers so they dont have this problem, I dont want to spend the money on this hitch if it does not fix the issue, or if there is something else I need to change. Also the axels have already been flipped on the trailer. The other picture is of my 2015 truck with the trailer before I flipped the axels. and a picture of the two trucks together, the new one sits about a inch higher.

asked by: Jesse W

Helpful Expert Reply:

We can help. I think I follow and correctly visualizing your situation. My first thought is if you have 6" of clearance at present time, that is in the range of the recommended minimal, the general rule of thumb is no less than 6' of clearance from the bottom of the fifth wheel to the top of a truck's bed rails. We have the Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter, # CAB-C5G rated at 20K and 12" to 16" in height. This would be a direct remove and replace of what you have and let you gain an inch of added clearance.

The Curt PowerRide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package, # C36WR that yo linked to is rated at 30K with a 7,500 lb. vertical load limit. This option gives you an adjustable range of 13" up to 17" of hitch height. Hitch height is always measured from the truck bed to the top of the hitch head. So with an two inches of clearance and carful to be aware of your articulation if towing your Toy Hauler off-road, I think you would be better off going with the 5th wheel hitch option and forgoing the gooseneck adapter.

expert reply by: Michael R