5th Wheel Hitch With Maximum Height for Most Trailer-to-Truck Bed Rail Clearance
Question:
I am a first time fifth wheel owner. I have a 2016 Ram 3500 4x4 MegaCab. The height of my bed rails is 59. When I measure the fifth wheel Im purchasing at level it is 57inch from the ground to the bottom of the front area top of the pin box and 11inch down from there to the pin. I have not purchased the hitch yet. I have factory puck system and 64inch bed. My concern is that I dont know how much squat Ill get when I hitch up. The pin weight of fifth wheel is 2600#. If the fifth wheel already sits 2inch below the top of my truck bed rails 57inch vs 59 how am I supposed to get 5-6inch of clearance and not have the fifth wheel be really nose high. I cant imagine Ill get more than 2-3inch of squat. The dealership says not to worry itll work out but they cant explain how. Please advise.
asked by: Chris
Expert Reply:
Thank you for the photo of your 2016 Ram 3500's bed rail which sits 59-inches above ground. You are correct that the recommended minimum clearance between a bed rail and the underside of the trailer's overhang is 5 to 6-inches, as shown in the linked diagram. Since your trailer sits lower than your truck you'll need some height adjustment to tow safely.
By chance is your truck lifted? Lifted pickups are not ideal for 5th wheel towing for the reason you have already discovered. Even some non-lifted trucks can be tough for 5th wheeling if they have very large tires that bring the bed height up.
5th wheel hitches vary in their height range. You can select a hitch with a higher maximum height setting to provide clearance at the bed rails, but this will also require adjusting the position of the trailer pin box on its mounting wings, and also possibly lifting the trailer suspension with an over-under kit like # K71-385-00. The hitched trailer must be level. Lifting the trailer helps with leveling but it does raise the trailer's center of gravity, which tends to degrade handling by allowing more side-to-side motion.
With the trailer level, your ground-to-overhang distance should be no less than 5-inches more than your ground-to-bed rail distance. Please feel free to tell me the distance from the ground to the bottom of the trailer overhang when the trailer is level.
5th wheel slider hitches that fit your Ram 3500's factory puck system are shown on the linked page. Those with the greatest height come from Curt, such as their 16K hitch # C16521, which mounts in drop-in adapter # C16022. This provides up to 21-1/2-inches height above the bed floor.
If your Ram 3500 is a dually you will probably see little squat, say no more than an inch. SRW trucks might sag up to 2-inches, but this depends on whether your 2600-lb pin weight is the dry pin weight or your loaded pin weight.
Nathan L.
3/18/2020
I just finished going through this with my 16 Ram 3500 SRW, pulling an older 30 Holiday Rambler with a pin weight of 1620 lbs. This caused the rear axle to 1.5 inches. Even with the trailer axles flipped,it wasnt enough. With your tongue weight of 2000 pounds, I wouldnt expect to see any more sag than 1-7/8 inch. There is a set of shims on the truck between the leaf springs and axle. These can be relocated above the springs to the rear approximately 1.5 inches. Its not a job for the weak of heart, as youre dealing with a lot of weight and heavily loaded springs. It can be done, and Im still alive to prove it!
Chris R.
3/18/2020
Michael A.
2/10/2020
We have visited several RV shops since buying the truck, and nearly all 5th wheels in the lot sitting level are about 59 from bottom of overhang to ground. No matter what you do with the hitch and pin box, the front of the trailer needs to be located higher than level by the 5 or six inches suggested for rail clearance not a lot, but a very obvious rake. The axle flip may be helpful for other reasons we sometimes go off the beaten path, and with this truck a slightly raised trailer may be appropriate.
Jason S.
2/11/2020
Helpful Links
Michael A.
2/7/2020
The owner actually did give the distance from fifth wheel overhang to ground when level: 57 inches. Whats not mentioned is the fact that the truck bed is also high on a lifted truck, so finding a hitch with higher adjustment is not the answer. The trailer will be excessively high in front no matter what. Only answers are lowering the truck tires, or suspension spacer reduction, etc., or raising the trailer at its axles over-under kits, etc.. I just bought a new 2020 Ford F350 Tremor model, and have the same 59 bed rail height problem.
Jason S.
2/10/2020
Products Referenced in This Question
Adapter Rails for Curt 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider - Ram Towing Prep Package
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Adapters
- Rail Adapter
- CURT
more information >
Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Cushioned Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17-1/2 - 21-1/2 Inch Tall
- 12 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- CURT
more information >
Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit
- Trailer Leaf Spring Suspension
- Alignment and Lift Kits
- Boat Trailer
- Camper
- Car Hauler
- Snowmobile Trailer
- Utility Trailer
- Double Eye Springs
- Round Axle - 3 Inch
- Dexter
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider for Ram Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- OEM - Ram
- 5000 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17 - 19 Inch Tall
- 12 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- B and W
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Shop: B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K
- Shop: Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Shop: Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs
- Shop: Tonneau Cover
- Shop: Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Roller - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Q&A: Lift Kit for a 2008 Keystone Everest
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Q&A: Is the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Acatuator Adapter Module Needed for a 2024 Ford
- Q&A: Is the HBA-CAM Adapter Needed for a 2023 Ford F-350
- Shop: B&W Companion Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Q&A: Recommended Clearance Dimensions Between Truck Bed Rails and 5th Wheel Trailer
- Video: B and W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter Installation - 2023 GMC Sierra
- Shop: Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R20 Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Q&A: B&W Base Rail Kit Fitment for 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 and Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Information and Installation Tips
- Video: Review of B and W Fifth Wheel - Fixed Fifth Wheel - BWRVK3775
- Q&A: Recommended 5th Wheel Rails for a 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 w/out the Puck System
- Video: Choosing the Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Article: How Much Solar Power Do I Need For My RV?
- Q&A: What are the Best 5th Wheel Rails for a 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500?
- Shop: Front Mount Hitch
- Video: B and W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch Installation - 2022 GMC Sierra 3500
- Video: MORryde Cushioned 5th Wheel Pin Box Review
- Video: B and W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch with Slider Installation - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500
on Fifth Wheel Hitch
Walt N.
11/3/2021
I am looking at buying but can’t pull it away: My issue is , the 5th wheel RV is tall, a (2020 Genesis ) my 2013 F-350SRW sits as high as it’s going to sit from factory 52.5”ground to top of bed. The RV sits nose down and not but 2-3 inches space. ( that’s not hooked up but touching. curt hitch is 17”h, Can’t raise the hitch. It’s at its top. The 3 bolt pattern pin box doesn’t have much adjustment ( lower by 1 bolt height? Is there a extra tall set of legs? (Ford puck ) and the Genesis has a RotoFlex that is not compatible w my CurtQ24, so swap one or the other. Anyone else have this issue w new rv and older truck?