Is 6 Inches Between Truck Bed Sides and 5th Wheel Trailer Overhang Enough Clearance

Question:

Hi I purchased the goose hitch and put it on my rv today, Im concerned about distance from bed rail to rv. I have it as low as it will go and Im at 6 inches clearance. Which in my opinion is bare minimum I would feel better at 7 inchs for those dips. Any suggestions?

asked by: Dale

Expert Reply:

Actually we recommend 5 to 6 inches from the tops of the bed sides to the bottom of a 5th wheel trailer overhang. At 6 inches you will be fine since the articulation range of the trailer would not be great enough to cause the trailer and truck bed to make contact with each other.

If you want to get more clearance then you would have to raise the height of the back of the trailer so you can bolt the Goose Box onto the trailer lower on the wings (which will raise the height at the front of the trailer).

If you do think raising the trailer in the back is the way to go then you may be able to use an over/under conversion kit if:

The trailer leaf spring stack is currently mounted under the axles
The trailer uses double-eye springs
And the trailer has 2-3/8 inch or 3 inch diameter round axles

For a 2-3/8 inch round axle use # K71-384-00 and for a 3 inch diameter axle use # K71-385-00.

If you cannot use an over/under conversion kit then the only other way to raise the height of the trailer is to have the old suspension hangers cut off and new, taller ones welded on by a qualified professional welder. I have included a link to the hanger main page for you.